Substantial Portion of Development Subject to Flooding

According to FEMA, there are 8 to 10 million households in floodplains (credit: weather.com).

HOUSTON—Throughout time, floods have altered the floodplain landscape. In addition, people have been historically attracted to bodies of water as places for living, industry, commerce and recreation. During early settlements, floodplains provided fertile soils for prime agricultural lands. Settlements emerged along rivers and other waterways for water and food supply, and access to transportation and recreational pursuits.

With population growth came a push to develop into new areas. Due to those prime scenic and navigable locations, some coastal shoreline floodplains were developed for residential communities, commercial and recreational harbors, and tourism enterprises.