With over 170 U.S. hospitals facing major flood risk, a growing national crisis is developing. These facilities, which house almost 30,000 patient beds nationwide, could be inundated by rising waters brought on by severe storms and deteriorating infrastructure. Using data from flood simulation leader Fathom, KFF Health News recently conducted an investigation that presents a concerning picture: from rural medical facilities to coastal trauma centers, a single storm may endanger lives, block off emergency access, and devastate local healthcare systems. However, hospitals are becoming increasingly vulnerable as a result of former President Donald Trump’s repeal of important flood protection laws and climate preparedness initiatives.

Why Are So Many U.S. Hospitals Facing Major Flood Risk?

Flooding isn’t limited to coastal areas. Fathom’s high-resolution simulation reveals that hospitals in the United States at significant risk of flooding are dispersed throughout the nation, from the river valleys of Tennessee to the bayous of Louisiana.

Key reasons for widespread vulnerability include:

• Older FEMA Flood Maps: Many hospital zones are outdated and do not accurately reflect the current environment.
• Waterway Proximity: Hospitals in Appalachia and Tennessee, such as Peninsula, are situated dangerously near rivers and streams.
• Urban Infrastructure Stress: Stormwater accumulation is exacerbated by impermeable city surfaces and overburdened drainage systems.
• Climate Change: As global temperatures rise, rainfall intensifies, leading to more frequent and severe flooding occurrences.

FEMA’s maps, which were initially created for insurance purposes, are deemed insufficient for emergency preparedness by experts. According to Dr. Caleb Dresser of Harvard University, “hospitals cannot prepare if they are unaware that they are at risk.”

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How Are Trump’s Policy Rollbacks Exacerbating the Crisis?

Many government protections and flood resilience initiatives were reduced or discontinued during the Trump administration. These decisions are worsening the vulnerability of U.S. hospitals facing major flood risk at a critical moment.

Key rollback actions include:

• Ending the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard: This Obama-era regulation required hospitals receiving federal funding to be elevated or made floodproof. FEMA ceased enforcement of it in early 2025.
• Canceling FEMA’s Resilient Infrastructure Program: The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program provided funding for hospital retrofits and flood defenses. Significant projects have been put on hold since the termination.
• Defunding Climate Forecasting Agencies: The country’s ability to anticipate and prepare for future flood dangers has been weakened by cuts to NOAA and FEMA’s technical advisory teams.
• Silencing Experts: The Technical Mapping Advisory Council was dissolved by FEMA, depriving floodplain managers of current scientific advice.

The healthcare system is now vulnerable as a result of these setbacks and political opposition to the acceptance of climate science. Alice Hill, a former White House climate adviser, stated that “people will die because of these policy choices.”

Also Read: Why Do Metro Cities Flood After Heavy Rain And How Can We Fix It?

Which Regions and Hospitals Are Most at Risk?

Hospitals that are vulnerable to flooding in urban, coastal, and rural areas are identified by Fathom’s modeling. The sample areas and predicted water levels for a 100-year flood event are highlighted in the table below:

Five hospitals in Charleston, West Virginia, could flood simultaneously during a strong storm, which would have disastrous effects on emergency medical services. Modern simulations highlight how outdated federal maps can provide false reassurance by demonstrating that even hospitals not technically located within flood zones still face significant risk.

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What Can Be Done to Protect Vulnerable Hospitals?

Proactive planning and an immediate policy reversal are necessary for the future. Hospitals in the United States at high risk of flooding will continue to grow as storms intensify unless reforms are implemented.

Recommended actions include:

• Reinstating the FFRMS: Before becoming eligible for federal funding, hospitals should fulfill stricter flood elevation requirements.
• Future Flood Map Updates: FEMA needs to incorporate climate models that account for actual risk.
• Providing Funding for Resilience Initiatives: Communities could retrofit hospitals with drainage systems and floodwalls with the aid of Restoring BRIC and related projects.
• Improving Transparency: Provide hospital managers and municipal planners with public access to private flood simulation data, like Fathom’s.
• Integrating Local Risk Management: Promote collaborations among emergency services, hospitals, and climate scientists to create resilience plans tailored to a given area.

“It’s malpractice to ignore 20 percent of the data when lives are on the line,” cautioned climate researcher Dr. Daniel Swain.

Also Read: The Role Of US States And Cities As Climate Leaders

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Which American hospitals are most vulnerable to flooding?

Among the U.S. hospitals at significant risk of flooding are those situated in low-lying urban areas, along rivers, or on coastlines, such as in Tennessee, Louisiana, Florida, and West Virginia.

Q2. Why are FEMA flood maps unreliable for hospital planning?

The primary purpose of FEMA’s maps is insurance, not disaster preparedness. They are outdated and lacking because they frequently omit recent topographical data and fail to account for climate change.

Q3. What are the long-term solutions to prevent hospital flooding?

Restoring strict federal flood regulations, making investments in resilient infrastructure, and utilizing cutting-edge simulations like Fathom’s to inform decisions about new construction and retrofitting are all necessary for long-term safety.

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