Every year, flooding robs Americans of life, property, and peace of mind. Floods are the leading cause of weather-related damage to U.S. homes, businesses, and other property. Flooding can happen anywhere, and anytime of year. Last year, severe storms brought spring flooding to the Midwest (including Iowa), and record September rainfall in Colorado caused extreme flooding in that state. In 2013, more than 80 people died as the result of freshwater flooding. On average, flooding causes 89 deaths and $8.3 billion in damages annually.

To raise awareness, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) are sponsoring National Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 16-22, 2014. Both agencies want Americans to understand the need to prepare for flooding now, before it occurs, and to know how they can mitigate the risks of a potential flooding situation.

To learn more about flooding, please visit the redesigned National Flood Safety Awareness Week website, where you can access information on how to be better prepared. You’ll also find an interactive flood map on the website, which allows you to investigate the potential flood dangers in your area.

Also be sure to visit and bookmark the Iowa Flood Center’s Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS), which offers real-time, site-specific information for Iowans about flooding.

Flooding can affect anyone, anywhere. But by being better prepared, we can all be safer from the dangers of rising water.