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Electric vehicles (EVs) are all the rage these days. With their promise of lower emissions and smooth, quiet rides, it’s no wonder that the global demand for EVs has been soaring. However, if you live near the coast — or anywhere prone to flooding — there’s a less-talked-about risk that could make you rethink that shiny new electric car parked in your driveway: saltwater-induced fires from flooded EV batteries.<br /><h2>Saltwater and EV batteries</h2>When it comes to EVs, the heart of the vehicle’s power lies in its battery, usually a lithium-ion (Li-ion) pack. These batteries are highly efficient, but they’re also sensitive to water, especially the salty kind. In September and October 2024, the Southeast U.S. was hit by hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused catastrophic flooding. Thousands of homes were damaged, and in a particularly frightening twist, 11 electric cars and 48 lithium-ion batteries caught fire after being exposed to salty floodwaters.<br /><br />Saltwater is a conductor of electricity, which means it can get into the EV battery packs, triggering a dangerous reaction. When water seeps into the battery, it can cause a short-circuit between the battery's terminals, which may lead to overheating, violent fires, and even explosions. In many cases, the fire doesn’t start right away — it can take hours or even days after the exposure before a thermal runaway event occurs, causing a dangerous blaze. Once the fire starts, it’s nearly impossible to put out with regular fire-fighting methods. Firefighters often have no choice but to let the battery burn itself out.<br />    <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113906136" title="Planning to purchase an EV? Here&amp;#39;s how to ensure it never catches on fire" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>In 2022, during Hurricane Ian in Florida, 36 EVs that had been flooded reportedly caught fire, even some that were being towed on flatbed trucks. The problem lies in how lithium-ion batteries react to saltwater. The metal terminals in these batteries, when exposed to salty water, can corrode and build short-circuiting paths that lead to fires days later. The fire hazard remains even in fully discharged batteries, meaning even seemingly "safe" vehicles after flooding could still pose a serious threat.<br /><h2>The risk to coastal cities</h2>This issue is especially concerning for coastal cities where rising sea levels and hurricanes are becoming more frequent. According to a 2023 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), <keyword id="381751" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicle" source="Orion">electric vehicle</keyword> adoption is growing rapidly in many parts of the world, including India, where EV sales increased by around 50% in the first quarter of 2024 alone. Cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kochi are embracing EVs due to their environmental benefits and growing infrastructure support. However, these coastal cities are also at higher risk for flooding, making the combination of increased EV adoption and rising sea levels a perfect storm for potential disaster.<br /><br />In fact, areas prone to heavy rains and floods, like India’s coastal cities, are facing unique challenges. The combination of frequent monsoon floods and rising sea levels presents a scenario where more and more EVs could end up submerged in salty floodwaters, increasing the risk of battery fires in the region.<br /><h2>What does this mean for you?</h2>While electric cars are generally safe under normal conditions, the growing risk of battery fires due to flooding is an important factor to consider if you live in flood-prone areas, especially near the sea. The key takeaway here is that EV owners should take extra precautions when natural disasters loom, particularly hurricanes and floods. Here's what you can do to protect your EV:<br /><br /><ul><li>Move your EV to higher ground: If you're in a flood zone, take your EV to higher ground or evacuate it if possible. This will help prevent it from being submerged in salty water.</li><li>Evacuate early: Be proactive and evacuate before the floodwaters hit. Don't wait for the last minute to move your vehicle to safety.</li><li>After the flood, treat submerged EVs with caution: If your EV has been submerged in water, especially saltwater, it’s essential to avoid using it, charging it, or even moving it until it’s been inspected by professionals. Contact the manufacturer for a thorough inspection of the battery.</li><li>Do not attempt DIY fixes: If your vehicle has been exposed to saltwater, do not try to start it, charge it, or fix the battery yourself. The risks of fire are too high, and professionals are trained to handle such situations safely.</li></ul>

Buying an EV may be a somewhat dangerous move if you live near the sea

As festival season rolls around, many people are excited about purchasing an <keyword id="19906970" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicle" source="keywords">electric vehicle</keyword> (EV) not just for the eco-friendly benefits but also for the attractive discounts. With the growing popularity of EVs — a third of car-aspirants plan to buy an EV this year, reveals a Way2News survey — one lingering concern that might cross your mind is the risk of the car catching fire. While EV fires are rare, they can still happen under certain conditions, so it's essential to understand the risks and know how to prevent them.<br /><h2>Why do they burn?</h2>First and foremost, EV fires are most commonly linked to the lithium-ion batteries that power these vehicles. When an EV is involved in a crash, or if its battery is physically damaged in any way, there is a risk of what is known as "<keyword id="19981370" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="thermal-runaway" source="keywords">thermal runaway</keyword>." This happens when heat inside the battery cannot dissipate quickly enough, causing the cells to overheat and, in rare cases, ignite. <br /><br />Thankfully, EV manufacturers extensively test vehicles to minimise this risk, and incidents are exceedingly rare. In fact, statistics show that electric car fires are significantly less frequent than fires in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. A study from Sweden's Civil Contingencies Agency found that only 0.004% of EVs caught fire in 2022, compared to 0.08% for ICE cars.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113816837" title="PM E-DRIVE scheme with ₹10,900 crore outlay announced for electric vehicles" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>As such, the ambient temperature can also play a significant role in the safety and performance of EV batteries. Extreme heat can be particularly dangerous, as it increases the likelihood of the battery cells overheating and entering thermal runaway, which may lead to a fire. High temperatures can accelerate the chemical reactions within lithium-ion batteries, making them more prone to malfunctions.<br /><br />Therefore, it is important to avoid exposing your EV to prolonged high heat, such as parking it under direct sunlight for extended periods, especially in regions where temperatures soar during the summer. Regular maintenance of the battery's cooling system is also critical, as it ensures the battery stays within a safe operating range, preventing overheating and extending the battery's lifespan<br /><h2>Charging and flooding</h2>Another key risk comes from improper charging practices. Overcharging the battery, or using poorly regulated, non-certified charging stations, can cause the battery to overheat. It's crucial that EV owners use certified, high-quality charging stations and follow manufacturer recommendations to avoid overloading the system. Many modern EVs come with software that automatically stops charging once the battery is full, but it’s always a good idea to avoid prolonged charging beyond the battery's capacity.<br /><br />Water exposure can also be hazardous for EVs, particularly in flood-prone areas. While most EVs are designed to handle a fair amount of moisture, saltwater exposure, such as during coastal floods, can create serious problems. Saltwater can corrode the battery and create short circuits, which might lead to fires long after the vehicle has been submerged.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113857238" title="Ron DeSantis said EVs could catch fire if caught up in Hurricane Helene. Experts say he&amp;#39;s right — and that you should take these steps to protect yourself." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, for example, there were reports of submerged EVs catching fire even days after the floodwaters receded. If you live in an area prone to flooding, take extra precautions by parking your EV in a sheltered area, and if your car has been exposed to water, have it inspected immediately.<br /><h2>Those annoying software updates are important!</h2>It’s also important to stay updated on any recalls or software updates. EVs, like any other technology, may occasionally be subject to recalls due to manufacturing defects or safety concerns. Being proactive in checking for recalls can prevent potential issues from becoming dangerous. For instance, some EV models have had recall campaigns specifically to address battery-related risks, ensuring that any faulty cells are replaced before they pose a threat.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113315022" title="Waiting for the festive season to buy an EV? Cabinet approves PM E-Drive subsidising most EVs, sans electric cars" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Finally, while EV fires may capture attention when they happen, it’s essential to keep them in perspective. Despite the fear surrounding them, EV fires are much less common than fires in gasoline-powered cars. The data shows that EVs are about 80 times less likely to catch fire than their gasoline counterparts.<br /><br />When considering an EV purchase, focus on the safety features and proactive measures in place to keep you and your vehicle safe. With proper charging, regular inspections, and staying informed, you can confidently enjoy the benefits of your new EV this festive season!<br />

Planning to purchase an EV? Here's how to ensure it never catches on fire

<ul class="summary-list"><li>OpenAI may be planning a corporate restructuring within the year.</li><li>Once a nonprofit that "benefits all of humanity," OpenAI shifted to a "capped-profit" model in 2019.</li></ul><p><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-openai-raising-money-strawberry-after-rough-start-year-2024-9">Sam Altman</a> founded OpenAI in 2015 with a lofty mission: to develop artificial general intelligence that "benefits all of humanity."</p><p>He chose to be a nonprofit to support that mission.</p><p>But as the company gets closer to developing artificial general intelligence, a still mostly theoretical version of AI that can reason as well as humans, and the money from excited investors pours in, some are worried Altman is losing sight of the "benefits all of humanity" part of the goal.</p><p>It's been a gradual but perhaps inevitable shift.</p><p>OpenAI announced in 2019 that it was <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-mulls-turning-openai-into-a-regular-company-2024-5">adding a for-profit arm</a> — to help fund its nonprofit mission — but that true to its original spirit, the company would limit the profits investors could take home.</p><p>"We want to increase our ability to raise capital while still serving our mission, and no pre-existing legal structure we know of strikes the right balance," OpenAI said at the time. "Our solution is to create OpenAI LP as a hybrid of a for-profit and nonprofit—which we are calling a 'capped-profit' company."</p><p>It was a deft move that, on its surface, appeared intended to satisfy employees and stakeholders concerned about developing the technology safely, and those who wanted to see the company more aggressively produce and release products.</p><p>But as investment poured into the for-profit side, and the company's notoriety — <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-koenigsegg-regera-expensive-sports-car-video-openai-musk-2024-7">and Altman's notoriety</a> — increased, some got nervous.</p><p>OpenAI's board briefly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-chatgpt-openai-ceo-career-net-worth-ycombinator-prepper-2023-1#chatgpt-was-made-public-so-openai-could-use-feedback-from-users-to-improve-the-bot-18">ousted Altman last year</a> over concerns that the company was too aggressively releasing products without prioritizing safety. Employees, and most notably Microsoft (with its multibillion-dollar investment), came to Altman's rescue. Altman returned to his position after just a few days.</p><p>The cultural rift, however, had been exposed.</p><p>Two of the company's top researchers — Jan Leike and Ilya Sutskever — <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jan-leike-ilya-sutskever-resignations-superalignment-openai-superintelligence-safe-humanity-2024-5">both soon resigned</a>. The duo was in charge of the company's so-called superalignment team, which was tasked with ensuring the company developed artificial general intelligence safely — the central tenet of OpenAI's mission.</p><p>OpenAI then dissolved the superalignment team in its entirety later that same month. After leaving, Leike said on X that the team had been "sailing against the wind."</p><p>"OpenAI must become a safety-first AGI company," Leike wrote on X, adding that building generative AI is "an inherently dangerous endeavor" but that OpenAI was now more concerned with building "shiny products."</p><p>It seems now that OpenAI has nearly completed its transformation into a Big Tech-stye "move fast and break things" behemoth.</p><p>Fortune reported that Altman told employees in a meeting last week that the company plans to move away from nonprofit board control, which it has "outgrown," over the next year.</p><p>Reuters reported on Saturday that OpenAI is now on the verge of securing another $6.5 billion in investment, which would value the company at $150 billion. But sources told Reuters that the investment comes with a catch: OpenAI must abandon its profit cap on investors.</p><p>That would place OpenAI ideologically distant from its dreamy early days, when its technology was meant to be open source and for the benefit of everyone.</p><p>OpenAI told Business Insider in a statement that it remains focused on "building AI that benefits everyone" while continuing to work with its nonprofit board. "The nonprofit is core to our mission and will continue to exist," OpenAI said.</p>

OpenAI's mission to develop AI that 'benefits all of humanity' is at risk as investors flood the company with cash

<keyword id="19895037" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bengaluru" source="keywords">Bengaluru</keyword> has been suffering from a pretty nasty streak of flooding every time the rains come rolling around, leaving residents struggling with power outages, flooded streets, and impassable roads. With this scenario in mind, let’s dive into how you can protect your vehicle during such conditions and how to care for it afterward. Driving through waterlogged roads can be intimidating, but with the right precautions, you can minimise damage to your vehicle.<br /><h4>1. Assess the <keyword id="23569146" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="water-depth" source="keywords">Water Depth</keyword></h4>Before attempting to cross a flooded road, take a moment to gauge how deep the water is. This isn’t just about looking at how far the water reaches on your tires, but also how other cars are handling it. Water deeper than 6 inches (about ankle height) can pose significant risks. For moving water, the danger is even greater. In fact, as little as 4 inches of fast-flowing water can sweep away a vehicle, leading to potentially life-threatening situations. Be cautious — if you're uncertain about the depth, turn around and take a different route.<br /><h4>2. Enter the Water Slowly and Steadily</h4>If there’s no way around the flooded street, approach it slowly. When you enter too fast, your car may aquaplane, which is when the tires lose contact with the road, making it easy to lose control. Aim for a slow and steady speed. as this allows your tires to maintain traction while reducing the chances of creating waves that could send water into the engine. Once in, keep your car moving at a steady pace without stopping.<br /><h4>3. Keep Your Engine Revved Up</h4>One of the major risks when driving through water is <keyword id="22589183" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="engine-damage" source="keywords">engine damage</keyword>. If water enters the exhaust pipe, it can cause the engine to seize, potentially leading to a costly repair. To avoid this, keep your engine’s revs high as you navigate through the water. In manual cars, slipping the clutch slightly while staying in a low gear helps maintain higher revs without speeding up too much. For automatic cars, switching to the lowest possible gear before entering the water is a smart move.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114274586" title="Bengaluru rains bring life to a standstill; relief likely after October 18" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h4>4. Beware of Large Vehicles</h4>If you’re driving near trucks or buses, be mindful of the large waves they create as they plow through floodwaters. These waves can wash over your car, increasing the likelihood of water entering your engine bay or cabin. It’s best to wait for larger vehicles to clear the flooded area before attempting to drive through yourself. Keeping a safe distance ensures you’re not caught in their wake.<br /><h4>5. Know What to Do if You Stall</h4>If your vehicle stalls while driving through water, the immediate response is crucial. Try to restart the car as quickly as possible because the longer the car remains stationary, the greater the chance of water entering critical parts like the exhaust system. However, if the water is too deep or you're unsure, it’s best to avoid restarting to prevent further damage. Instead, push the car to safety if possible, or call for help.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114136105" title="Heavy rains to lash across the country between Oct 12-16, here&amp;#39;s how you can insure your home from rain&amp;#39;s fury" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>Flood-aftercare for your vehicle</h2>Once you've navigated through the floodwaters, your car still requires attention to minimise long-term damage.<br /><h5>1. Dry Your Brakes</h5>Driving through water can leave your brakes wet and less effective, increasing your stopping distance. To dry them out, gently tap the brake pedal once you’re back on dry land. This friction helps evaporate any water that may have settled on the brake discs, allowing them to return to full function. Testing the brakes in a safe spot ensures they’re responsive when needed.<br /><h5>2. Inspect the Air Filter</h5>After driving through a flood, one of the first things to check is the air filter. If water has entered the air intake system, it can damage the engine. A soggy or dirty air filter should be replaced immediately to avoid contaminants entering the engine and causing performance issues later on.<br /><h5>3. Look for Signs of Water in the Engine</h5>If you suspect that water has entered the engine, especially if your vehicle stalled, resist the urge to restart the car. Instead, have the vehicle towed to a mechanic. Starting the engine with water inside can lead to hydrolock, where water in the cylinders causes the engine to seize, potentially requiring a costly engine replacement.<br /><h5>4. Thoroughly Clean the Undercarriage</h5>Floodwater is often filled with debris, dirt, and contaminants that can settle on your car’s undercarriage, leading to rust or corrosion over time. Once the water recedes, give your car a thorough wash, paying special attention to the underside. This will help prevent rust and other issues that could develop due to prolonged exposure to dirty water.<br /><h5>5. Monitor Electrical Components</h5>Flooding can wreak havoc on your car’s electrical systems. After driving through water, test all your vehicle's electronics — lights, indicators, power windows, and infotainment system. Water intrusion can cause malfunctions or short circuits, so if you notice any irregularities, have them inspected by a professional to prevent further issues.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114242444" title="Severe cyclone threat looms large near Chennai as IMD GFS predict landfall by Thursday!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>By staying cautious during floods and following these post-care steps, you can keep your vehicle in good shape and avoid the worst of water damage.<br />

Rains forcing you to ride through waterlogged areas? Here’s how to safely traverse flooded roads and minimise damage to your vehicles

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Four teens won $50,000 and first place at this year's Earth Prize competition.</li><li>The Earth Prize is the world's largest environmental competition for teens.</li></ul><p>George Cheng thinks a lot about flooding.</p><p>In his home state North Carolina, hurricanes and tropical storms cause annual flooding that damages homes, farms, and crop fields. Cheng is also close to people from India whose families were affected by the heavy 2023 floods.</p><p>In the not-so-distant future, the 18-year-old MIT freshman plans to unveil an app that forecasts local flooding in a new way, better informing those at risk and helping them evacuate in time.</p><p>The concept earned Cheng, along with a team of three <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/teen-wins-isef-science-fair-grand-prize-discovery-biomedical-devices-2024-5">fellow teens</a>, first place and $50,000 at this year's Earth Prize competition in May. Cheng plans to use his share to help pay for his college degree.</p><h2 id="274f79bf-64b3-456f-8f01-8c248331ba34">A new way to visualize flood risk</h2><div type="image" title="colorful computer simulation showing peaks and valleys of a 100 square mile region" height="942" width="1136" msid="113135189" hostid="261" sizebytes="70260"></div><p>The Earth Prize, launched in 2021, is the world's largest environmental competition for teens. Competitors submit physical models and computational projects designed to address issues related to waste, pollution, the environment, and other themes.</p><p>Cheng and his team decided to focus on the widespread threat to human lives that climate change poses, particularly via flooding.</p><p>An estimated <a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=577ddf9139da21c51fcdcacc983198ed420ffacdb8519ea1f8436b575f777e7b&amp;postID=66cd0447b6269761a73bcf60&amp;postSlug=teens-win-50000-earth-prize-flood-forecasting-model-2024-8&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41467-022-30727-4">1.8 billion</a> people worldwide are at risk of devastating flooding that can destroy homes and claim lives. As climate change drives up sea levels and increases precipitation, experts project flooding to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-new-york-city-nyc-floods-are-getting-worse-2023-9">worsen</a>.</p><p>Cheng and his teammates hope their project, called FloodGate, can help people at risk.</p><p>The problem with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-climate-change-crisis-extreme-weather-is-costing-you-2023-9">current forecasts</a> is that it can be hard to interpret how a storm or flash flood will affect you directly. For example, if the weather forecast says it's going to rain five inches in your town, it's hard to know what kind of effect that will have on your home and whether you should evacuate.</p><p>That's what FloodGate eventually aims to answer.</p><p>For The Earth Prize, the team designed a computer model to construct a 3D map of a 100-square-mile region.</p><p>Then, they combined that model with <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-deepmind-ai-weather-forecast-accuracy-2023-11">AI and real-time weather forecasts</a> to predict detailed flood risks for that region.</p><p>The model is still in its early stage, said Yung Yoong Sze, an Earth Prize mentor who consulted with the FloodGate team.</p><p>Ultimately, the team wants to use their model to translate weather forecasts into pictures. So when you open the app, you can see the physical consequences of five inches of rain in your area because it'll show you how much of your home or crop field could be underwater.</p><p>"Our model kind of puts the numbers with the images. I think it's more effective than just the numbers itself," Cheng said.</p><h2 id="e832d718-fb29-42df-96bc-d77fa3284ddc">What sets FloodGate apart</h2><div type="image" title="hundreds of tiny blue dots connected by thin lines, the computer image simulated flooding tributary connectivity to help predict flood risk" height="744" width="1274" msid="113135188" hostid="261" sizebytes="184456"></div><p>The team's novel flood forecasting system beat 979 other competing projects for first place.</p><p>"What it had is amazing programming, a very useful app, and fantastic broader application that could actually save lives and have a positive impact on the environment," said Jonathan Baillie, another Earth Prize mentor who worked with the FloodGate team.</p><p>The Earth Prize is not a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/teens-win-fifty-thousand-for-ultrasound-microplastic-filtration-device-2024-5">typical science fair competition</a> where competitors either work alone or with teammates. The Earth Foundation, which sponsors The Earth Prize and is now accepting applications for 2025, provides each competing team with resources and expert mentors to help them develop and advance their projects before the final presentation.</p><p>"I could help them position it and talk about why what they had done was so amazing and how it could be more broadly applied globally," said Baillie, who is president of the nonprofit conservation organization<strong> </strong>Natural State.</p><p>FloodGate's model only works for US locations, but the team hopes to eventually expand.</p><p>That will require broader data sets that can incorporate information from places outside the US, including Africa and Southeast Asia, Yoong Sze said.</p><p>Showing flood risk is only part of the final vision. Ultimately, Cheng and the team want their product to have a built-in warning system, "kind of like a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-you-should-never-do-during-a-hurricane-2019-7">hurricane evacuation system</a>," Cheng said.</p><p>Cheng said the team hopes to unveil the app by the end of 2025.</p>

Teens won $50,000 for inventing a flood forecasting technology they hope can help millions of people at risk worldwide

<ul class="summary-list"><li>At least 62 people have been killed in the worst flooding to hit Spain in decades.</li><li>Flash floods are becoming more common and more intense due to global warming.</li></ul><p>At least 62 people have been killed and many more are missing in the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spain-flooding-51-dead-in-valencia-region-economic-hub-2024-10">worst flooding to hit Spain in decades</a>.</p><p>Torrential rain hit parts of the country on Tuesday, cutting off main roads, delaying flights, and damaging homes.</p><p>The rain was the result of a weather phenomenon known as a cold drop, in which cold air moves over warm water.</p><p>The warm air then rises rapidly, leading to the formation of huge cumulonimbus clouds capable of releasing violent downpours that can devastate towns and cities.</p><p>Such extreme weather events have a huge human and economic cost — and scientists believe global warming, combined with the way humans have developed the natural landscape, will only make the problem worse.</p><h2 id="971184fb-8d33-48d1-979d-6445b6e539be">The cost of extreme weather</h2><p>Estimates for the economic costs of extreme weather and flooding vary, but many tend to agree that they are on the rise.</p><p>According to the European Environment Agency, extreme weather in Europe caused economic losses of assets estimated at more than $800 billion between 1980 and 2023.</p><p>Last year, a study by <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/09/climate-crisis-cost-extreme-weather-damage-study">Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand</a> said the damage caused by the climate crisis through extreme weather has cost $16 million an hour for the past 20 years.</p><p><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/01/extreme-weather-economic-cost-wef23/">The World Economic Forum</a> calculated that the cost of extreme events had increased nearly eight times globally, inflation-adjusted, since the 1970s.</p><p>The impact of flash flooding can be particularly severe because, often, there is very little warning.</p><h2 id="8409be50-c212-466d-bbd2-62c416ac5204">Flash flooding in dry areas</h2><p>Flash floods are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-flash-flood-warning-how-to-stay-safe-vermont-2023-7">different from regular flooding</a> because they develop quickly, in the span of a few hours or even minutes.</p><p>They can be far more devastating in dry areas because parched soil tends to repel water rather than allow it to soak in.</p><p>That means surges can result from as little as 10 millimeters in just one hour, according to a<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=3735d139977ac068c02d638e81b04695e0ab6b1d06970add3b44fafb88d52e11&amp;postID=6722014ce5b5408300715e9a&amp;postSlug=flash-floods-spain-increasing-globally-experts-infrastructure-change-2024-10&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fd41586-023-00626-9.epdf%3Fno_publisher_access%3D1%26r3_referer%3Dnature"> 2023 article in Nature</a>.</p><p>"Our analysis using the Emergency Events Database shows that, since 2000, such regions experienced less than half (47%) of deadly flash floods globally, yet saw almost three-quarters (74%) of related deaths," the authors wrote.</p><p>The same researchers found that the rate of dryland flash flooding around the world was 20 times higher between 2000 and 2022 than it was between 1900 and 1999.</p><p>Ernesto Rodríguez Camino, a senior state meteorologist and member of the Spanish Meteorological Association, said flash flooding is becoming more frequent, a trend which is set to continue because of the damaging effects of global warming.</p><p>"Events of this type, which used to occur many decades apart, are now becoming more frequent, and their destructive capacity is greater," he said.</p><h2 id="c6269754-7554-446d-a63e-b8d93fdbfdc3">Why are there more flash floods?</h2><p>The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a US-based nonprofit, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.edf.org/why-are-floods-hitting-more-places-and-people">said</a> flash flooding has intensified because of increased rainfall and heat waves.</p><p>The rise in the world's average surface temperature — which was more than 2 Degrees Fahrenheit warmer in 2020 than it was 100 years ago — has resulted in more moisture and clouds in the air, the organization said.</p><p>According to the EDF, modern infrastructure, including buildings, roads, and sidewalks, has eliminated natural landscape features that would have slowed flooding in the past.</p><p>It added that stormwater systems designed to protect buildings are often too old and not vast enough to handle the increasing amount of major weather events caused by global warming.</p><p>Additionally, houses are continuing to be built in areas that are prone to flooding, the organization said.</p><p>The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/floods#tab=tab_1">World Health Organization</a> (WHO) said people who live on floodplains or in buildings without flood protections or warning systems are most vulnerable.</p><h2 id="283c598d-eb50-4251-afb8-e7fbf0cb4832">What can be done?</h2><div type="image" title="Emergency workers clear debris the morning after heavy rains and flash floods hit the area on October 30, 2024 in Letur, Albacete province, Spain" height="3333" width="5000" msid="114787520" hostid="261" sizebytes="2262486"></div><p>Non-environmental factors, such as new infrastructure and better weather warnings, can help prevent the impact of flash flooding.</p><p>Jess Neumann, an associate professor of Hydrology at the University of Reading, said that a long-term solution would involve the "radical redesign of urban areas."</p><p>"Flash floods can affect anyone, anywhere. We take preparation for other hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis very seriously with education, drills, and emergency kits," she said. "It is time we afforded the same to flood risk preparedness."</p><p>John Marsham, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Leeds, agrees with Neumann's assessment.</p><p>"Our entire infrastructure and civilization are based around a climate that no longer exists," he said, adding that some locations are becoming more difficult to insure against flood damage.</p><p>Some cities are already considering better precautions for extreme weather events. For example, in 2022, the US Army Corps of Engineers unveiled its proposal to build a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/26/nyregion/storm-project-new-york-harbor-flooding.html">$52 billion moveable sea barrier</a> along the New York Harbor to protect against storm surges.</p><p>These protections would also allow local economies to recover faster.</p><p>The EDF reported that the average flood event from excessive rainfall in the US costs around $4.7 billion.</p><p>Marsham and Liz Stephens, a professor in climate risks and resilience, said that local governments should also implement stronger warnings about the risks of flash flooding to prevent death and injuries.</p><p>"People shouldn't be dying from these kinds of forecasted weather events in countries where they have the resources to do better," Stephens said.</p>

Flash floods are a worsening scourge worldwide — here's why

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-residents-moving-leaving-climate-change-refugees-hurricanes-flood-2023-2">climate crisis</a> is an often-hidden financial risk when buying a house.</li><li>A few online tools can help you assess that risk and possible costs by address.</li></ul><p>If you're <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-man-refused-leave-hurricane-proof-home-basically-unharmed-milton-2024-10">shopping for a house</a>, you're probably thinking ahead and planning for your future.</p><p>Here's the thing, though: By the end of a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/mortgages/will-mortgage-rates-go-down-this-year">30-year mortgage</a>, you'll be living on a pretty different planet.</p><p>Even if companies and governments across the world make some drastic changes — and that's a big "if" — humanity's carbon emissions have already locked in some additional warming for decades to come. That means more intense and sometimes more frequent floods, wildfires, hurricanes, winter storms, and other forms of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/housing-market-outlook-analysis-prices-rising-extreme-weather-risk-jpmorgan-2024-2">extreme weather</a>.</p><p>You and your house could suffer everything from headaches and declining <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/housing-market-higher-home-prices-climate-change-air-quality-impact-2024-2">property value</a> to giant bills and life-threatening events.</p><p>That's why it's important to take stock of the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/real-estate-housing-market-prediction-sun-belt-climate-change-zelman-2024-7">climate risks your home faces</a> in the coming decades.</p><p>It's impossible to know exactly what will happen, but a few <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tool-determines-home-climate-risk-heat-wind-bad-air-2024-3">online tools</a> can give you an idea of the risks — as well as the costs you could incur and what you can do about it — depending on which house you buy.</p><h2 id="f72716a3-6428-4f34-94f8-2f3ebf4d7693">Learn about the possible damages</h2><p>The <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/zillow-gone-wild-weird-unique-houses-homes-hot-homebuying-selling-2024-7">most popular real-estate website</a> in the US, Zillow, has a new feature to peer into the potential climate future of each listing. </p><p>The new "climate risks" tool shows <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/map-shows-united-states-extreme-heat-belt-study-2022-8">how many days of extreme heat</a> and unhealthy air quality a property is expected to see over the next 30 years, assuming humanity is on track to stabilize climate change by 2100.<strong> </strong>The tool also shows the likelihood of more destructive events: floods, wildfires, and windstorms.</p><div type="image" title="group of people watch wildfire burning home in the hills with palm trees" height="1771" width="2500" msid="114374425" hostid="261" sizebytes="281278"></div><p>These assessments come from First Street, a former nonprofit that became a for-profit company this year, which uses computer models to quantify certain weather and climate risks for individual properties. First Street says it incorporates a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/maui-wildfires-lahaina-wooden-house-spared-among-rubble-2023-8">building's specific structural characteristics</a>, as well as local infrastructure like roads and utilities.</p><p>"If you don't take stock of the climate risk specifically, you could be in over your head," Jeremy Porter, the head of climate implications research at First Street, told Business Insider.</p><p>For example, if the cost of flood or wildfire insurance spikes as it already has in places like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/homeowners-california-florida-insurance-issues-natural-disasters-wildfires-hurricanes-2023-10">Florida and California</a>, "all of a sudden your household budget doesn't make any sense for the property that you ended up buying," he said.</p><p>The new Zillow tool also makes recommendations about insurance based on First Street's analysis.</p><p>To dive even deeper, you can go to First Street's website and get a free trial of its paid service, which shows ballpark estimates of how much a flood or fire could cost you, expected cooling costs, and projections of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-insurance-hurricanes-extreme-weather-relocate-to-ocala-2023-10">insurance prices</a>. You can also toggle certain renovations to see how they impact those costs.</p><h2 id="0eef8ad3-480e-4072-aadf-cb64222742c5">Remember those estimates aren't a crystal ball</h2><p>Climate-science experts outside the company have some reservations about First Street's flood and wildfire estimates, though.</p><p>Michael Wara, a senior research scholar at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, told <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://heatmap.news/guides/zillow-climate-risk-flooding-fire">Heatmap News</a> to take First Street's calculations with "a lot of grains of salt."</p><p>Heatmap reported that First Street probably underestimates <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-wildfire-burns-multimillion-dollar-homes-in-california-orange-county-2022-5">wildfire risk</a> in wildfire-prone areas and that flood risk is very difficult to accurately model. You can try to cross-check flood risk with other sources like seeing if the town or city has flood maps available.</p><p>"Everything that we're offering are probabilistic risk estimates," Porter said.</p><p>"I think that just in general, the models give you a pretty good indication of which properties are riskier than other properties," he added.</p><h2 id="ea2c710b-3a7a-45fe-b58f-971596d4b019">Then check local building codes…</h2><p id="ea2c710b-3a7a-45fe-b58f-971596d4b019">Once you know the climate risks, you can assess <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-why-some-homes-survive-hurricanes-lessons-homeowners-2024-10">how well a property is built</a> to withstand them.</p><div type="image" title="slumping one-story grey and wood panel house with panels ripped away next to a standing yellow house" height="1500" width="2249" msid="114374424" hostid="261" sizebytes="407800"></div><p id="ea2c710b-3a7a-45fe-b58f-971596d4b019">A good indicator of that is the local building code and whether the house is built to its standards. The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes has a tool for checking that at <a target="_blank" href="http://inspecttoprotect.org">inspecttoprotect.org</a>.</p><p id="ea2c710b-3a7a-45fe-b58f-971596d4b019">Not only does FLASH rate the local building code, but the tool also shows information about the area's past <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-how-profit-natural-disasters-hurricanes-wildfires-storms-investors-2023-8">natural disasters</a> and suggests upgrades.</p><h2 id="03112be6-cab7-49c5-9eed-55cc34037179">... and consider renovations</h2><p id="ea2c710b-3a7a-45fe-b58f-971596d4b019">In the FLASH tool, you can select the year a house was built to see what <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiny-home-renovation-old-abandoned-cottage-scotland-before-after-photos-2022-7">renovations</a> would strengthen it against different natural disasters. Each upgrade has a cost and impact rating.</p><p id="ea2c710b-3a7a-45fe-b58f-971596d4b019">Taking matters into your own hands could make a big difference because, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/building-science/bcat#:~:text=FEMA%20tracks%20the%20building%20code,simply%20by%20its%20acronym%2C%20BCAT.">according</a> to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, only about one-third of US jurisdictions have adopted up-to-date codes to match their natural hazards.</p><p id="ea2c710b-3a7a-45fe-b58f-971596d4b019">Even then, building codes are often designed to protect the lives of people inside the house, but not necessarily<strong> </strong>to prevent <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-homeowner-milton-tearing-through-neighborhood-cant-sleep-2024-10">expensive property damage</a>.</p><p id="ea2c710b-3a7a-45fe-b58f-971596d4b019">"You got to at least have a good building code, but that's a starting point. It's not your gold standard, it's your minimum," Leslie Chapman-Henderson, FLASH's president and CEO, told BI.</p><p id="ea2c710b-3a7a-45fe-b58f-971596d4b019">In some cases, renovations and upgrades can even help lower your insurance costs.</p>

Before buying a home, check this hidden financial risk

Over the next week, super heavy showers are set to hit the Indian subcontinent, especially in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, South Interior Karnataka, Konkan and Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, and Gujarat, the IMD (<keyword id="19963725" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Meteorological-Department" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Meteorological Department" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Meteorological Department">Indian Meteorological Department</keyword>) has predicted. <br /><br /> Yesterday, India's financial capital, Mumbai was hit by a surprise, albeit hefty deluge of rain. Consequently, a yellow alert was issued for Thane, Pune, Palghar and other areas near to Mumbai. <br /><br />Between October 13-16, very heavy rainfalls are also expected in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. It's no secret that incessant rains also bring about significant economic damages. As seen very often in the past, a constant barrage of torrential rains can also quickly create a flood-like situation, which can wipe away houses, vehicles and everything that comes in its way.<br /><br />Per media reports, the average economic impact on India due to <keyword id="19912527" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="floods" source="keywords">floods</keyword> between 2011 and 2021 has been a staggering Rs 25,805 crore. <br /><br />Imagine this-your entire se is flooded. Water has seeped into everything—your walls, furniture, and even the plumbing. Without a <keyword id="22058670" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="home-insurance" source="keywords">home insurance</keyword>, you'll have to spend a hefty amount towards repairs and to get your life and home back on track. <br /><br /><h2>Getting your home insured</h2>So, if you are wondering how to protect your hard earned material but immovable assets like house, the answer is right in front of you- Home Insurance. <br /><br />Says Dilip Baba, Head of Commercial and Speciality Underwriting, Go Digit General Insurance, "People usually spend their entire life savings on purchasing a home. However, people rarely think about how to protect their investment. By investing in the safety of home insurance, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your property is covered in case of unforeseen events.<br /><br />With home insurance, you can opt for three types of coverage-structure, content and comprehensive. <br /><br />While structure simply insures the physical, immovable formation of your house (walls, roofs), content coverage goes a step ahead and takes care of damage caused to your movable items like furniture, electronics and other items due to natural calamities, theft and more, up to a certain limit. This can also include any valuable artwork or antiques, or additional installation like solar panels you might have at your home. <br /><br />A comprehensive home insurance brings together both structure and contents in its insurance ambit. Having a home insurance can not just protect you from natural calamities like floods, but also from unforeseen events like theft, fire and more. The annual premium of a home insurance policy can range between Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 depending on the type and extent of coverage taken.<br /><br />Before buying a policy, be sure to clarify whether it offers actual cash value, which considers depreciation, or replacement/reinstatement cost, which covers the full replacement without depreciation deductions.<br /><br />To be on the safe side, you can also choose additional covers like accidental death insurance, or rent coverage, if you lose out on rental income due to damage caused to your property. You can use the carpet area of your house to get a sense of your home insurance requirements. Other covers you can opt for include valuable contents (on agreed value basis under home contents cover), additional living expense cover, tenant liability insurance, among others.<br /><br />Says Amit Bhandari, Chief Technical Officer at Magma HDI General Insurance, "When selecting a policy, it’s crucial to assess the unique risks that your home may face, particularly if you live in an area susceptible to <keyword id="19922196" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="natural-disasters" source="keywords">natural disasters</keyword>. You should tailor your coverage to address these risks while considering premium reduction strategies, such as excluding unnecessary coverages".<br />

Heavy rains to lash across the country between Oct 12-16, here's how you can insure your home from rain's fury

In a massive move for the country’s growing climate woes, India is aiming to control weather phenomena like rainfall, lightning, and hail within five years. Dubbed "<keyword id="23131560" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mission-Mausam" source="keywords">Mission Mausam</keyword>," this government-backed initiative includes the development of <keyword id="23148975" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mausam-GPT" source="keywords">Mausam GPT</keyword>, a weather AI model designed to enhance prediction accuracy and even manipulate the weather. This would make India one of the first countries to experiment with <keyword id="21369368" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="weather-modification" source="keywords">weather modification</keyword> on a significant scale.<br /><h2>Mission Mausam</h2>India’s "Mission Mausam" aims to reshape the future of weather management by using technology to control rain. Over the next 18 months, the government will start with lab simulations to either enhance or suppress rainfall. The ultimate goal, as outlined by Earth Sciences Secretary M. Ravichandran, is to roll out full-scale weather modification within five years. He stated that the initiative could even target events like Independence Day, where “one can think about suppressing rain.”<br /><br />By deploying <keyword id="20644540" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cloud-seeding" source="keywords">cloud seeding</keyword> techniques alongside AI-driven weather prediction tools like "Mausam GPT," the mission seeks to significantly improve India’s ability to manage extreme weather conditions. A key aspect of the plan involves building a robust system of advanced radars, supercomputers, satellites with high-performance sensors, and GIS-based decision support systems. This cutting-edge tech is expected to boost India’s short- and medium-range weather forecasting accuracy by 5-10%, ensuring no event — such as cloudbursts — goes undetected.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113251187" title="India braces for an intensely harsh winter as La Niña takes hold" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>India is not new to weather manipulation efforts. The government has been running pilot projects, such as the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX) in Maharashtra, to study cloud properties and enhance rainfall.<br /><h2>Why is weather manipulation necessary and is it safe?</h2>Extreme weather events in India, like deadly floods, droughts, and hailstorms, have noticeably increased in frequency due to <keyword id="19907392" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change" source="keywords">climate change</keyword>. Mission Mausam could potentially give India an edge in combating these disasters. For example, imagine preventing a flood by suppressing rain or creating artificial rain during a drought. India’s investment of Rs 2,000 crore over two years certainly reflects the seriousness of the mission, which is expected to expand further as research progresses.<br /><br />However, weather modification, including cloud seeding, is not without controversy. Globally, cloud seeding has had limited success, with countries like the US, Russia, and China also experimenting with these methods but facing inconsistent results. Even former MoES Secretary Madhavan Rajeevan has noted that “the technology is complex” and still in its developmental stages.<br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112825937" title="Shivaji Maharaj Statue collapse: Identifying 5 reasons behind the accident" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Further, the potential downsides can't be ignored. While controlling the weather could save lives, meddling with natural processes is risky. Weather manipulation might have unintended ecological consequences, like shifting rainfall patterns that could harm ecosystems and agriculture. It may also pose geopolitical risks, as neighbouring countries could accuse India of altering weather systems that affect their own climates.<br /><br />Ultimately, while the idea of managing the weather may seem appealing, it opens up a Pandora’s box of environmental and ethical challenges that need careful consideration.<br />

The Indian government is taking steps to control rainfall and weather within five years — is it too risky of a move?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Rains from Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding in western North Carolina, devastating communities.</li><li>But less than 3% of properties in the state have flood insurance, leaving many unprotected.</li></ul><p>Torrential rains from Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on western North Carolina last week, with flooding that has devastated local communities, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2024/10/01/rescue-relief-and-recovery-operations-continue-western-north-carolina">killed dozens in the state</a>, left many residents <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2024/10/01/rescue-relief-and-recovery-operations-continue-western-north-carolina">without running water or power</a>, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-helene-hits-asheville-beer-microbreweries-north-carolina-floods-2024-9">uprooted businesses</a>, and destroyed homes.</p><p>Rainfall collected by at least a dozen weather stations in the region, including near Asheville, reached their highest-ever 3-day totals during the event, ranging from nearly 13 inches to over 31 inches, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://climate.ncsu.edu/blog/2024/09/rapid-reaction-historic-flooding-follows-helene-in-western-nc/">according to a report from the North Carolina State Climate Office</a>.</p><div type="image" title="image of flooded street in Asheville, NC" height="4708" width="7054" msid="113922495" hostid="261" sizebytes="2725582"></div><p>But only about 2.6% of the 4.3 million properties across the state — or around 115,000 properties — had flood insurance as of June 2024, according to private provider Neptune Flood Insurance, which analyzed data from the government-backed National Flood Insurance Program. And that's a 2.5% year-over-year coverage decrease from June 2023, Neptune said.</p><p>North Carolina Department of Insurance communications director Jason Tyson estimated that about 139,000 properties in the state have flood insurance through the NFIP.</p><p>Neither estimate includes private flood insurance. But the number of private flood insurance policies in the US is small compared to the amount of NFIP policies, according to a 2023 report from independent insurance <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.policygenius.com/homeowners-insurance/private-flood-insurance-vs-nfip/#:~:text=Most%20policies%20are%20provided%20and,and%20availability%20of%20additional%20coverages.">provider PolicyGenius</a>.</p><p>The North Carolina Joint Information Center told Business Insider that it's still too early to provide estimates on the number of buildings damaged or the total cost of the damages.</p><div type="image" title="image of destroyed home" height="5504" width="8256" msid="113922496" hostid="261" sizebytes="5511238"></div><p>Federal disaster assistance does help people who lost their homes with mortgage payments, home loans, or bill payments. But without flood insurance, many homeowners may be left with a significant financial burden. </p><p>Part of the problem with flood insurance is a common misconception that regular home insurance covers flooding, which is rarely the case, four experts knowledgable about flood insurance and disaster management told Business Insider.</p><p>"They just think that, 'Oh, yeah, I have insurance. I have homeowner's insurance. I have State Farm or whatever. That must cover it,'" Trevor Burgess, the President &amp; CEO of Neptune Flood Insurance, told BI. "And it doesn't. They have to buy a separate policy."</p><p>Another factor influencing why so few people have flood insurance is that it's not required for everyone — only homes and businesses with government-backed mortgages in areas that are designated high-risk flood zones are <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.floodsmart.gov/am-i-required-have-flood-insurance">legally required to have flood insurance</a>.</p><p>"One of the biggest drivers of whether or not people get flood insurance is whether or not they're required to have it," Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, a research scholar and director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP) at Columbia Climate School, told BI.</p><p>"So if you don't live in one of these areas, one of these floodplains that trigger that, then a lot of people just simply don't get flood insurance," Schlegelmilch added.</p><p>Margaret Walls, a senior fellow and director of the Climate Risks and Resilience Program at nonprofit research institute Resources for the Future, said that people also wrongly believe that if they're not in a high-risk flood area, then they're not at risk.</p><p>"It's not a lot of homes that are in those designated floodplains relative to the total number of homes, but there's still a lot of flood risks," Walls said. "And this is one of the biggest issues in the flood world is that the mapped areas where FEMA says you're supposed to have flood insurance policy are not the areas that are all risky. There are plenty of areas where you're at risk outside of those mapped areas."</p><p>Walls explained that people don't understand their actual risks.</p><p>"They think that the map is telling them their risks," Walls said. "It's actually not. It's just telling them where they have to have a mandatory purchase of a flood insurance policy. But it's not saying that you're zero risk when you're outside of that area. And as climate changes happening, those risks are going up."</p><p>And the areas devastated by flooding in western North Carolina were largely not considered to be high-risk flood areas. The State of North Carolina's Flood Risk Information System designates many of the counties in the region that were most affected by flooding after Helene as "minimal flood risk," <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://flood.nc.gov/ncflood/">according to a map on their website</a>.</p><p>"We almost always associate flood risk with hurricanes and coastal storm surge in Florida, Louisiana, and Texas," Jeremy Porter, who leads climate implication research at First Street, a public-benefit corporation that evaluates climate risk, told <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-hurricane-helene-flooding-north-carolina-f49b2a6bf2b549473e0211f883332592">The Associated Press</a>. "We don't think of western North Carolina and the Appalachian mountains as an area that has significant flood risk."</p><p>And the perception that a certain place is safe from flooding contributes to the problem, Schlegelmilch suggested.</p><p>"This is one of those things we look at areas like Asheville, North Carolina, that were thought of as climate havens, where people thought, 'Well, I'm going to escape the worst of climate change and I'm going to move there,'" Schlegelmilch said. "And unfortunately, this is just an important reminder that we cannot outrun this."</p><p>Having insurance to protect your home and mitigate your financial risks is an important step, and more people need to take that precaution, Schlegelmilch said, a sentiment that Walls and Burgess also echoed.</p><p>Yanjun Liao, an economist and fellow at Resources for the Future, added that people should be prepared for even unexpected flood events, like what happened in western North Carolina.</p><p>"I definitely think that a lot more people need flood insurance," Liao said. "Oftentimes even people who are living outside of the flood zones, the 100-year flood zones and sometimes outside 500-year flood zones, can face these kind of unexpected flood damage."</p><p>Liao said that the cost of flood insurance can be burdensome, particularly for those who live in more disaster-prone areas. But the alternative may be even more costly: rebuilding after a devastating storm.</p>

You Searched For "flooding risks" and got 10 results

Buying an EV may be a somewhat dangerous move if you live near the sea

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Planning to purchase an EV? Here's how to ensure it never catches on fire

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OpenAI's mission to develop AI that 'benefits all of humanity' is at risk as investors flood the company with cash

Kenneth Niemeyer

Rains forcing you to ride through waterlogged areas? Here’s how to safely traverse flooded roads and minimise damage to your vehicles

Ankush Banerjee

Teens won $50,000 for inventing a flood forecasting technology they hope can help millions of people at risk worldwide

Jessica Orwig,Jenny McGrath

Flash floods are a worsening scourge worldwide — here's why

Mikhaila Friel,Hannah Abraham

Before buying a home, check this hidden financial risk

Morgan McFall-Johnsen

Heavy rains to lash across the country between Oct 12-16, here's how you can insure your home from rain's fury

Ira Alok Puranik

The Indian government is taking steps to control rainfall and weather within five years — is it too risky of a move?

Ankush Banerjee

A majority of North Carolina homeowners didn't have flood insurance. Then Helene hit.

Grace Eliza Goodwin

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