Flash floods: What funders need to know
12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT / 4 p.m. UTC
Flash floods are the most dangerous type of natural hazard in the U.S., consistently causing the highest number of fatalities each year. Sadly, recent weeks have provided proof of that with flooding around the country, including in North Carolina, New Mexico, Illinois, Kentucky, and, of course, Texas.
A study earlier in 2025 rated Texas as the U.S. state most at risk for a disaster this year, such as a wildfire, tornado or flood. But knowing there is a risk doesn’t mean we envision an event like the extreme flooding on the Guadalupe River over Fourth of July weekend. This flooding was fast-moving, unexpected, grew quickly, and was both destructive and deadly.
CDP hosted a webinar to discuss the recent flooding in the U.S. and how funders can help affected communities recover and prepare for future events.
CDP Program Officer for Domestic Funds Cari Cullen moderate the discussion and panelists included:
- Amy Carol Dominguez, Director of Disaster Services, Vibrant Emotional Health
- Fred Kaynor, Managing Director, Relationship Management, Marketing & Partnerships, DAFgiving360
- Melissa Roberts, Executive Director and Founder, American Flood Coalition
This webinar was co-sponsored by Giving Compass, PEAK Grantmaking, National Voluntary Organizations Active in a Disaster, United Philanthropy Forum, Philanthropy New York, Black Emergency Management Association, The Funders Network and Council on Foundations.
Please see the slide deck and watch the webinar recording to learn more:
Resources mentioned during the webinar
Flood data
- New York Times: Flash floods
- Climate Central: Heavier rainfall rates in U.S. cities
- Forbes: New study identifies at-risk states for disasters in 2025
- KSAT: Estimated 100 billion gallons of water fell on Kerr County
- DJC Law: Video on the 10 states most at risk for disasters
- American Flood Coalition: Flood Funding Finder
Flood recovery
- American Flood Coalition:
- Flood Recovery: Checklist for tackling immediate needs
- Flood Recovery: Four steps for setting up a successful long-term recovery
- Storymap: Farmers can lead the way on flood solutions with multi-cropping
- Smoky Mountains News: Losing Ground: Six months after Helene, local governments still haven’t been paid
- NPR: As extreme rains becomes more common, some Iowa farmers turn to ‘relay intercropping’
Mental health
- “Glitter” – Official music video by Patrick Droney