Photo courtesy of South King Fire and Rescue

Photo courtesy of South King Fire and Rescue

Study finds drastic increase in WA properties deemed at-risk of flooding

Analyst suggests climate change is responsible for increased flood risks.

More than 362,612 properties are now at risk of flooding in Washington — a 198 percent increase over previous estimates and the 8th largest increase of all the states in the nation, according to an analysis from the online insurance marketplace QuoteWizard.

“The increase in the number of at-risk properties is directly related to climate change. Many of the maps FEMA currently uses to assess flood risk are five, 10 or 15 years old and no longer take into account the realities of our changing climate,” said Nick VinZant, senior research analyst and insurance expert at QuoteWizard.

Washington ranks third in the nation when looking at the total number of additional “at-risk” properties with over 240,000 since the last estimate. Analysts found that the number of flood-prone properties nationwide is actually 67 percent higher than previously estimated. That adds up to 5,866,497 additional properties that are at risk of flooding, according to their data.

The massive increase in the number of flood-prone properties is even more pronounced when looked at state by state. QuoteWizard analysts found 23 states with a 100 percent or more increase in the number of at-risk properties.

“It’s hard to overstate how big of a change this could be. We are talking about millions of more flood-prone properties and changes to flood insurance regulations that could lead to people paying several times more for flood insurance than they currently do now,” VinZant said.

Between 1996 and 2016, the National Flood Insurance Program paid out over $42 billion in claims. States like Washington recorded over $160 million in flood losses paid, while states like New York, Louisiana, Texas, New Jersey, Mississippi and Florida respectively recorded billions of dollars in losses each.

QuoteWizard said their data for the analysis was sourced exclusively through government agencies. The rate and loss data came from FEMA, and the demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau.




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Northwest

t
I-405 weekend closures scheduled for this summer in Renton

Closures will typically run from late Friday night to early Monday morning on several dates over next few months

t
Renton man accused of killing partner with machete

The suspect has a prior assault charge on his record where he stabbed a woman multiple times.

t
Weeklong closure of SR 18 at I-90 begins July 17

After this, the diverging diamond interchange should officially be open.

t
Auburn Police looking for July 4 Lakeland Hills hit-and-run suspect

Incident occurred at an illegal intersection takeover/drift event.

Courtesy File Photo, South King Fire
King County to expand flood outreach after Texas tragedy

Flood Control District Board votes to increase education, early warnings and community engagement

t
Human toe found at Dash Point State Park in Federal Way

The man who found it said it was an odd thing to stumble across on Father’s Day.

Photos by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing
Protesters take on Renton High School expansion

As the plans to expand and replace the school have progressed, more Renton residents have become angry.

Courtesy Photo, Auburn Police
65-year-old woman dies in Auburn crash on A Street SE

Woman, 28, reportedly speeding and ran red light in two-vehicle collision

File photo
Gas tax will rise 6 cents a gallon in Washington on July 1

Lawmakers turned to the tax to contend with a projected $1 billion shortfall in the next two-year transportation budget.

Renton City Hall. Courtesy photo.
Renton Police Guild files lawsuit against city

The suit claims that the city prohibited the guild from using surplus funds for a health savings account.

Courtesy Photo, WSDOT
Brief overnight SR 167 closures this month in Renton, Kent and Auburn

June 8-9 in Kent; June 9-10 in Renton and June 12-13 in Auburn

t
Small plane crashes into Lake Washington near Renton

No injuries in Sunday, June 1 crash just north of Renton Municipal Airport