Severe Weather History


Flood Records Across the U.S.

71,623

Recorded events

2,983

Counties affected

709

Direct deaths

$41.6B

Property damage

71,623 flood events are recorded across 2,983 U.S. counties between 1996 and 2026.

Systematic records for this hazard begin in 1996 — earlier gaps reflect reporting practice, not calm weather.

Most affected

Top counties for flood

RankCountyEventsDeathsDamage
#1Woodruff County, Arkansas3740$6.6M
#2Kern County, California3250$20.7M
#3Fresno County, California3122$3.3M
#4Fairfax County, Virginia2790$51K
#5Sonoma County, California2555$208.1M
#6San Diego County, California2385$8.8M
#7Gibson County, Indiana2290$1.5M
#8San Juan Municipio, Puerto Rico2270$252K
#9Tulare County, California2182$20.0M
#10Cook County, Illinois2092$7.2M
#11Frederick County, Maryland1940$50K
#12Douglas County, Missouri1901$10K
#13Montgomery County, Maryland1860$50K
#14Prince William County, Virginia1820$200K
#15Washington County, Ohio1671$486K
#16Posey County, Indiana1670$1.0M
#17Clay County, Iowa1651$27.1M
#18Sacramento County, California1631$138.6M
#19White County, Illinois1630$1.6M
#20Baltimore County, Maryland1620$35K
#21San Bernardino County, California1601$108.0M
#22Minnehaha County, South Dakota1570$8.2M
#23Alameda County, California1521$17.6M
#24Alexander County, Illinois1510$14.5M
#25Middlesex County, Massachusetts1500$41.7M
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events · ranked by recorded event count