Investigation: 170 U.S. hospitals face extreme flood risk; FEMA maps underestimate exposure
An investigation combining KFF Health News analysis and CBS reporting found at least 170 U.S. hospitals face extreme flood risk, with many of those facilities located outside FEMA's mapped flood zones. CBS on‑the‑ground video from Tennessee shows a hospital destroyed during Hurricane Helene, illustrating the real‑world consequences of the underestimated exposure.
Climate
Health
Environment
🔍 Key Facts
- KFF Health News' investigation identified at least 170 U.S. hospitals as facing severe/extreme flood risk.
- The report says many of those hospitals are located outside FEMA's mapped flood zones, indicating FEMA maps underestimate exposure.
- CBS Mornings (CBS News) produced on‑the‑ground video reporting by reporter David Schechter showing a Tennessee hospital destroyed during Hurricane Helene.
- The CBS visual and local reporting is presented as a concrete example illustrating the real-world consequences of the KFF/CBS risk findings.
- The item was published by CBS Mornings on Facebook on 2025-10-01 under the title "Investigation shows 170 U.S. hospitals at risk of extreme flooding."
📰 Sources (2)
Investigation shows 170 U.S. hospitals at risk of extreme flooding
New information:
- CBS News produced on‑the‑ground video reporting (reporter David Schechter) showing a Tennessee hospital destroyed during Hurricane Helene.
- Visual, local reporting that illustrates consequences of the KFF/CBS risk findings (damage example from Tennessee).
- The report reiterates KFF Health News' quantified finding: at least 170 U.S. hospitals identified as facing severe flood risk and many located outside FEMA's mapped flood zones.