Floods

Following the deadly flash floods in Texas and ahead of a flood watch in Pennsylvania, the National Weather Service and FEMA offer tips on what to do before the water rises and how to stay safe when it does.

A preliminary estimate from Accuweather estimates millions of dollars in loss from flash flooding in the Hill Country over the Fourth of July weekend. The death toll now exceeds 100 and search and rescue efforts continue.

Emergency responders are using boats, drones, helicopters and horses to search the devastated Hill Country area. President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration Sunday for Kerr County.

The fee charged to residents would add millions to the county budget for cleaning canals and waterways and enhancing the stormwater system. Other Florida counties already charge a similar fee.

Gov. Andy Beshear said rivers and creeks in the state are at or above flood levels, with more rain forecast for later this week. Three storm-related deaths were reported as of Monday afternoon.

The presidential declaration applies to all of Kentucky's 120 counties and allows FEMA to provide emergency assistance. Much of the state is under a flood warning Friday, with rain expected to continue.

In response to widespread flooding last month, FEMA has approved Individual Assistance funding for residents in six West Virginia counties. Some victims may also now be eligible for food assistance from the USDA.

A preparedness exercise last week with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers simulated how the region would respond to a storm as intense as Hurricane Helene, which ravaged communities hundreds of miles from the coast.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the number of deaths resulting from severe weather earlier this month has risen to 22 as of Monday. The state's application for individual FEMA assistance is pending.

As disasters like severe flooding in Appalachia become more regular occurrences, we must do more than celebrate community resilience. Investments in infrastructure and systems that can withstand major events are essential.

Residents in parts of West Virginia hit by severe flooding last week are encouraged to fill out forms reporting associated property damages. These surveys will help FEMA determine whether it can provide assistance.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency in 10 southern West Virginia counties, while Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has submitted an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration to support ongoing recovery efforts.

Given the 2 to 6 inches of rain predicted to hit Kentucky this weekend, Gov. Andy Beshear's emergency declaration activates teams to help in the event of severe flooding.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management’s app provides GIS-powered evacuation zone details via an interactive map, letting residents and visitors pinpoint locations and evaluate their hurricane risk.

Legislation introduced in Congress aims to help homeowners better understand the rising costs of premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program, part of FEMA's newly implemented Risk Rating 2.0 initiative.

The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities on Tuesday released a study that warns FEMA flooding maps of the state are outdated and makes 30 recommendations and promotes statewide standards on climate resiliency.

A new tool from Rebuild by Design shows climate change is an equal opportunity hazard. But spending money ahead of time on mitigation and prevention can be more cost-effective than committing it after disaster strikes.

The company, which already serves the federal government, has released a data-based product to other public agencies. The goal is to help officials with flood response, management and recovery operations.