Is Your City One of the Most Vulnerable to Flooding?

At the time of this blog, our country is all banding together over a different type of flood - the coronavirus (COVID-19) is flooding the nation. However, while this can consume so much attention, we don’t want you to get distracted from the other types of floods, the REAL floods that can be building up right now. We are on the perilous edge of the flooding season. At this time last year, the entire country was experiencing exponential flooding across the Midwest specifically, and it was catastrophic.

All coastal areas are prone to storm surges and flood challenges, but as we’ve seen, there are so many other areas at risk. Here are the 8 US cities that are most vulnerable to flooding, and how Big Bags USA can help by providing the best flood barriers on the market.


1. Tampa, Florida

At the top of the list is Tampa, Florida. It’s the most vulnerable US city when it comes to flooding due to storm surge for a few many reasons.

While Tampa hasn’t had a direct hit by a major storm since 1921, it’s had some close calls. In 2004, Hurricane Charley was headed in Tampa’s direction but made an unexpected turn to the south just before making landfall.

2. New Orleans, Louisiana

With half the city either at or below sea level, it’s no surprise that New Orleans would also be at the top of this list. Local water depths favor higher storm surges than average. Due to the extremely low elevation and marshy terrain, storm surges can travel tens of miles inland before weakening. As seen with Hurricane Katrina, additional flooding is likely from the overflowing of Lake Pontchartrain. Since Katrina, an extensive levee system has been constructed and further strengthened. However, even if the system is effective, over-topping is still likely during a strong Category 5 hurricane. While Hurricane Katrina was only a Category 3, its size is what produced the magnitude of storm surge and flooding losses.

3. New York City, New York

The City of New York offers long coastlines, with unique coastal features that make the area particularly susceptible to storm surge flooding. Lower Manhattan, Staten Island, and the south shore of Long Island are likely to experience high surges. Hurricanes in the northeast tend to be large storms and the size is what drives the magnitude of the storm surge. The westerly track of Superstorm Sandy causing it to make landfall nearly perpendicular to the New Jersey coast is very rare. While another storm with that track has a low probability, if a Category 3 hurricane were to take that route, storm surge losses could exceed $100 Billion.

4. Miami, Florida

In general, the coastal features of Miami aren’t all that favorable to storm surge compared to other areas.

From a physical perspective, storm surge should be low in this area. However, Miami’s vulnerability stems from the sheer magnitude of property values near the coast along with low coastal elevations. In addition, Miami is one of the most likely areas for a direct hit from a severe Category 5 storm. While it hasn’t had a direct hit by a major storm since the 1926 Great Miami Hurricane, a strong Category 5, if it were to hit, could cause some costly damages in this area.

5. Fort Myers, Florida

Due to its location on the west coast of Florida, Fort Myers will likely experience a very high storm surge from a major hurricane making landfall north of the city.

Since Fort Myers is further south and in a higher hurricane frequency zone, a more intense storm is needed to cause the amount of damage as a smaller storm in the Tampa area explained above. While the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 didn’t come ashore at Fort Myers, it brushed the southwestern tip of Florida with Category 5 wind speeds. If an event like that were to make a direct hit, Fort Myers would likely be completely inundated by the storm surge.

6. Galveston-Houston, Texas

A storm track with the radius of maximum winds positioned at the mouth of Galveston Bay will cause the high waters to be channeled into the bay, thereby accentuating the water heights. This means it won't take much to cause a storm surge in the area. Hurricane Ike was only a Category 2 hurricane when it made landfall in 2008, but it caused billions in flood damage. While Texas hasn't been hit by a Category 5 in the past 150 years, four Category 4 hurricanes have made landfall along the Texas coastline since 1900. The one in 1915 struck very close to Galveston and caused tremendous storm surge flooding. After the death of thousands during the 1900 event, the Galveston sea wall was built.

7. Sarasota, Florida

Like many of the cities along the west coast of Florida, Sarasota is also vulnerable to storm surge flooding for two reasons:
  • The local water depth. 
  • The amount of property value at low elevation.

A Category 5 hurricane would be devastating to this area.

8. Charleston, South Carolina

Hurricane Hugo caused tremendous storm surge flooding on Sullivan's Island, the Isle of Palms, and in Charleston. However, due to Hugo's track being north of Charleston, the peak winds and storm surge were closer to the small town of McClellanville. A similar storm just 30 miles south of Charleston would cause much worse storm surge flooding in downtown Charleston and therefore much greater losses.



This list is mostly composed of places that are at risk due to storm surge, and based loosely on the population as well. However, there are SO many more cities that are at risk. Specifically, the Midwest, areas that are low on the flood plain, or near bodies of water.

No matter what, Big Bags USA is here to help make sure that your community is safe in times of flooding. While these current days have changed a lot, with social distancing and limited contact due to the COVID-19 virus, the Big Bags USA team is still able to make deliveries to communities without having contact with anyone. Our bags are stored in a climate-controlled facility, and they are only handled by fork trucks. If your community needs to stock up on flood protection barriers, NOW is the time to do it. We are ready to help.

MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN  

If you have an immediate need for our systems or have any questions for us, please call us toll-free at 1-800-337-0537 or visit www.BigBagsUSA.com.


ALWAYS READY TO HELP LOCAL, STATE, & FEDERAL AGENCIES ... BE PREPARED!

Location: Camdenton, MO 65020, USA

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