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Home > Departments > Utilities > Stormwater > Floodplain Regulations

Flood Risk

A property in the 100-year floodplain has a 1% chance in any given year of being flooded. Over a 30-year mortgage, that percentage jumps to 26%. As a comparison, only a 5% chance exists that the house will catch fire during that same 30-year period. This is why flood insurance is recommended. Some properties have an even higher risk of flooding since they are in areas where smaller, more frequent storms cause damage.

What are the Odds?

Event Odds of Occurring:

Structure in the 100-year floodplain being flooded in any given year

1 in 100

Matching 1 number plus the Powerball in the Powerball lottery

1 in 124

Structure in the 500-year floodplain being flooded in any given year

1 in 500

Annual chance of being killed in a car accident if you drive 10,000 miles a year

1 in 4,000

Being struck by lightning

1 in 600,000

Winning the Powerball lottery jackpot (matching 5 numbers plus the Powerball)

1 in 120,526,770

Floods will happen. Help protect your family and minimize property damage . The City’s floodplain regulations and capital-improvement projects are designed to mitigate flooding.

Stormwater