Most states don’t have laws that effectively require flood damages to be disclosed in real estate transactions. Homes that have been flooded in the past are more likely to experience flooding in the future, leaving buyers unaware of increased risks. Less than 4% of homeowners in the United States have flood insurance coverage, so unsuspecting home buyers could likely lack awareness of their increased risk. And those who do buy insurance could face higher-than-anticipated premiums.

This report was commissioned by Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC).