A peer‑reviewed study of 78 floods finds 43% of North Carolina buildings that took on water over the past two decades sit outside FEMA’s hazard zones, exposing insurance gaps and urging better risk ...

FEMA’s maps are essential tools for identifying flood risks, but they have significant gaps that limit their effectiveness.

The map shows floodways, 100-year floodplains, and 500-year floodplains, key indicators of how likely certain areas are to flood.

"For 100 years, there was never a flood there, until Ian came," said Gibboni. "My premium went from $500 a year to $1,200 a year, because now I'm in a danger zone.

Better maps could more accurately predict where flooding is likely to occur, especially in places previously lumped into a "500-year" flood zone, which has a .2% chance of flooding per year.

The maps, which model the effectiveness of the Phase One HESCO barrier project, are based on data from last year’s 16-foot glacial outburst flood.

Sometimes you'll hear the phrase "100-year flood." Here's how meteorologists define that term and how to see if you live in a flood plain.

Weather forecasters often use terms like "100-year" or "500-year" floods. Here’s what those terms really mean and why these extreme events are happening more frequently.

A "100-year flood" means a 1% chance of that level of flooding happening each year. Houston saw three 500-year flood events within three years from 2015 to 2017, including Hurricane Harvey.