Is Flooding Only Susceptible to High-Risk Areas?

To give an accurate answer to this question is not a trivial matter. Due to the effects of climate change, industrialization, and urbanization, high-risk areas are on the rise. When looking for flood-related insurance, a study of historical and present data is necessary to make an accurate decision. For a more in-depth look at flood insurance, contact Magic City Insurance Group LLC, serving the greater Birmingham, AL community.

Is Flooding Only Prone to High-Risk Areas?

What makes this question a bit complicated to answer is the fact that climate change is changing the areas prone to flooding. What may have been a high-risk area for flooding 15 years ago might not be today. Similarly, what was a low-risk area 20 years ago, might be a high-risk area today.

For example, climate variations cause river floods to become more extreme and frequent in some areas while diminishing both size and frequency in others. It also vastly increases the amount of rainfall in some locations while drying up others.

Another example of how climate change impacts what we call high-risk areas is rising sea levels. It is theorized that this phenomenon occurs due to melting icecaps, but that’s a topic for another day. When sea levels rise, more areas come under water, and the adjacent land is more prone to flooding. A 2022 study by the World Bank indicated that 1.81 billion people are affected by flood risk, and the number is constantly rising.

Apart from climate change, urbanization also pushes more people to live in high-risk areas. In this scenario, the population is usually of a lower income bracket and must risk their families’ lives to make a living. The situation is worsening as the majority of these people cannot afford flood insurance. If the trend of high-risk areas increasing continues, it is possible that such policies will also rise in cost.

Contact Us Today

High-risk areas are changing due to several factors, making flood insurance more of a necessity. To learn more about flood coverage and available policies, contact Magic City Insurance Group LLC. Our insurance experts are proud to serve the residents of Birmingham, AL and surrounding areas.