Atmospheric Rivers Drive Western U.S. Flood Damages

news image
Special Stories
23 Jan 2020 2:00 AM
[NOAA by Alison Stevens]   New research recently published in Science Advances found that atmospheric rivers accounted for 84% of flood damages, or $42.6 billion, across the western United States from 1978-2017. Supported by NOAA's Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) and co-authored by California-Nevada RISA PI Alexander Gershunov, the study analyzed 40 years of data from the National Flood Insurance Program to quantify atmospheric rivers’ economic impacts. Not only were atmospheric rivers the primary driver across all 11 states, with annual average damages of $1.1 billion, but they also caused over 95% and even exceeded 99% of flood damages in some coastal areas of northern California and the Pacific Northwest. In addition, the authors used a recently developed atmospheric rivers intensity and duration scale varying from 1 (weak) to 5 (exceptional) to assess how flood damages change with each category. They found that each increase in the atmospheric intensity and duration scale corresponds to a roughly 10-fold increase in flood damages. Flood damages from atmospheric rivers are expected to increase in the face of rising population, increased development, and climate change. 
All Weather News
More
High Flood Risk - Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur Head East

High Flood Risk - Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur Head East

The National Hurricane Center has been tracki

18 Jun 2026 7:50 PM
Tornadoes Tear Through The Midwest, Threat Heads to the East Coast

Tornadoes Tear Through The Midwest, Threat Heads to the East Coast

MONTROSE, IL - A dangerous tornado tore throu

18 Jun 2026 7:40 PM
Severe Storms, Flash Flooding Threat Returns Across Plains and Midwest This Weekend

Severe Storms, Flash Flooding Threat Returns Across Plains and Midwest This Weekend

Another threat of severe weather is expe

18 Jun 2026 7:05 PM
Heat Alerts & Fire Concerns For Central & West U.S.

Heat Alerts & Fire Concerns For Central & West U.S.

A ridge of high pressure continues to dominat

18 Jun 2026 9:30 AM
Welcome To Monsoon Season - Here's What to Expect

Welcome To Monsoon Season - Here's What to Expect

WELCOME TO THE NORTH AMERICAN MONSOON SEASON.

17 Jun 2026 5:00 PM
El Niño Forms, Very Strong El Niño Likely Late 2026

El Niño Forms, Very Strong El Niño Likely Late 2026

El Niño has arrived! It didn't take long for

15 Jun 2026 8:00 AM
Confirmed Tornadoes in Ohio and Pennsylvania on Sunday

Confirmed Tornadoes in Ohio and Pennsylvania on Sunday

A cold front on Sunday brought severe weather

15 Jun 2026 1:50 AM