Floods are among the most destructive forces on Earth. While a powerful tornado can wipe out a community, floods can devastate entire regions. We’ll delve into the history of floods worldwide. If you own a home or other property, it’s wise to consider flood insurance policies. If you’re looking for insurance agents who can assist in Glendale, CA, contact Voi Insurance Solutions LLC.

A Brief and Tragic History of Flooding

Tragically, the 1887 Yellow River Flood in China may have cost up to 2 million lives, making it the second deadliest recorded flood in history. The deadliest? The 1931 China floods, which may have cost more than 4,000,000 lives. However, it should be noted that most deaths were likely caused by the famines that followed.

Looking further back in time, the 13th-century flood in St. Lucia, in the Holy Roman Empire, is believed to have caused more than 50,000 deaths. More recently, in 1949, the Eastern Guatemalan floods are believed to have resulted in roughly 40,000 deaths. The 2022 Pakistan floods, meanwhile, cost over 1,700 lives, demonstrating just how devastating floods are even in modern times.

The United States has been a bit more fortunate and has not suffered floods on quite the same scale. That said, floods have caused billions in damages and have claimed many thousands of lives. The Johnstown Flood in Pennsylvania in 1889 cost over 2,200 lives, while the Galveston Storm of 1900, which was accompanied by heavy flooding, is believed to have claimed 8,000 lives.

Floods remain a major threat, and while death tolls have generally trended downward, property damage can quickly soar into the billions. Homeowners and other property owners should ensure that the appropriate flood insurance policies cover them. If you need help selecting a flood policy in Glendale, CA, contact Voi Insurance Solutions LLC.