Hospitals Nationwide Face Major Flood Risk
A months‑long KFF Health News investigation (reported by CBS) using proprietary Fathom flood simulations finds about 170 U.S. hospitals — nearly 30,000 patient beds — face significant or dangerous flooding from heavy storms. The reporting highlights specific at‑risk facilities (Peninsula Hospital in Louisville, Tenn.; Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tenn.), documents simulation details (Peninsula could see ~11 feet of water), and ties increased hospital vulnerability to outdated FEMA flood maps and recent Trump administration cuts to agencies and FEMA programs designed to protect critical infrastructure.
Health
Climate
🔍 Key Facts
- KFF/CBS identified roughly 170 American hospitals at highest risk of significant or dangerous flooding, collectively accounting for nearly 30,000 beds
- Fathom flood simulations show Peninsula Hospital (Louisville, Tenn.) could be submerged in about 11 feet of water in an intense storm scenario
- Reporting ties the risk to limits in FEMA flood maps (often outdated) and to administration actions that have reduced federal forecasting and FEMA flood‑protection programs