Americans are moving away from flood-prone regions

Americans are starting to move away from flood-prone areas, according to a new report from Redfin.

Redfin’s study found that high-risk counties are losing population while low-risk counties are gaining residents. In Miami, where about one-third of homes face flood risk, nearly 70,000 more people moved away than moved in last year. In Houston, the population loss was more than 30,000 people; and in Brooklyn, where around a quarter of homes face flood risk, the population loss was 28,000.

High housing cost factors into the decision to move, but a Redfin survey found that “concern for natural disasters or climate risks in my previous area” was the top reason for Florida residents to move. The rising cost of insurance premiums in flood-prone areas compounds the affordability issue.

Whether the migration trend from areas vulnerable to flooding will continue is unclear, but Americans are increasingly aware of and concerned about climate risks, Redfin says.