Flood Risk and the U.S. Housing Market

Abstract

Flooding is the most frequent and costliest natural disaster in the United States, yet most households are uninsured or underinsured against flood and may incorrectly expect that government agencies provide sufficient post-flood assistance. This paper synthesizes existing research on flood risks, flood insurance, and their impacts on the U.S. housing market. We focus on the single-family market segment, as primary residences tend to be the largest category of wealth for most households. We conclude with policy implications and suggestions for future research.