Flooding is both catastrophic and no respecter of time or persons. There have been floods happening for thousands and thousands of years, but only until recently have we had the technology to both predict it and protect from them. At
Big Bags USA, we have created a flood barrier system that is cost-effective, fast, and even reusable. However, communities of other decades have not been as lucky. Here are the top five most expensive floods in the US since 1978, as well as some interesting details about them.
1. Hurricane Katrina Flooding
- Affected area: Southern Louisiana
- Year: 2005
- Cost: $103.9 billion
Katrina's tragedy is tied to how humans have altered the landscape around New Orleans. The area was once above sea level when French settlers first arrived there 300 years ago, but swamp drainage has caused the city to sink. The areas below sea level, those most at risk to flooding, have generally been home to the city’s poorest residents. New Orleans relied on a system of levees and seawalls built by the Army Corps of Engineers to
keep the city from flooding. But when Katrina hit on Aug. 29, 2005, the levees failed. As a result, 80% of the city flooded. It was the costliest hurricane in U.S. history.
2. Hurricane Harvey
- Affected area: Houston, Texas
- Year: 2017
- Cost: $126.3 billion
Houston missed the brunt of the impact of Hurricane Rita in 2005, but it was not so fortunate with Hurricane Harvey. That tempest caused widespread devastation in the greater Houston area. The slow movement of Harvey from Aug. 26-30 contributed to the destructive and deadly floods in southeast Texas. The most rain fell in Nederland, Texas, which received more than 60 inches of rain from Aug. 24-Sept.1. The flooding in the region displaced 30,000 people and damaged or destroyed more than 200,000 homes and businesses.
3. Superstorm Sandy
- Affected area: New Jersey, New York
- Year: 2012
- Cost: $88.4 billion
By the time Sandy reached the New York metropolitan area on Oct. 29, 2012, it had been downgraded to a superstorm from a hurricane. Yet it would turn out to be one of the costliest weather events in U.S. history. Subway service in New York City was knocked out, and multi-million-dollar homes at the Jersey Shore were destroyed. The destructive force of the storm and loss of life racked up the urgency level for preparing shoreline defenses along the New Jersey coast as well as New York City to address the reality that stronger storms are in the region’s future because of climate change.
4. Hurricane Ike
- Affected area: Houston/Galveston, TX
- Year: 2008
- Cost: $34.8 billion
Hurricane Ike was a huge Category 2 hurricane when it hit the Texas coastline on September 13, 2008. Its tropical-storm-force wind field exceeded that of Hurricane Katrina. As a result, Ike’s massive size created a storm surge like that of a Category 5 hurricane. Its 15-foot waves pummeled coastlines from Florida to Texas. Ike created 29 tornadoes. Fortunately, none of them were responsible for any deaths. However, cattle ranchers lost 4,000 animals and more than 11,000 workers became unemployed due to the loss of businesses. It was the most intense storm of 2008.
5. Louisiana Severe Stores and Flooding
- Affected area: Louisiana
- Year: 2016
- Cost: $34.8 billion
In August 2016, historic floods devastated parts of south Louisiana after a slow-moving system dumped more than 20 inches of rain in parts of East Baton Rouge and nearby parishes in a three-day span. After the unprecedented rainfall, all of that water began its journey south, swelling rivers and flooding thousands of homes. The heavy rainfall totals led to
widespread flash flooding and record river flooding across multiple parishes.
Preparing for Flooding & Hurricanes
In
communities that are prone to flooding in the past, stockpiling of
BIG BAGS USA flood barriers in strategic locations can greatly reduce response time. By being prepared to protect you and your communities' property, this should provide comfort, knowing that you have some
tools for protection in place prior to flooding. If you are doing all that you can to minimize damages to your property, then you are in the top 10%. We manufacture, supply, and deliver our products to your business or jobsite location. We have innovative strategies for protecting your property during floods. We work closely with the Emergency Managers and Public Works Directors, in your area to help in the planning of deployment to optimize solutions for future floods.
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!
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