2010•Natural Hazards ReviewRequires access

Improving Flood Insurance and Flood-Risk Management: Insights from St. Louis, Missouri

Carolyn Kousky, Howard C. Kunreuther

Open publisher page 28 citations

Abstract

This paper examines the history of St. Louis, Mo. in coping with riverine flood risk over the past 15 years, with a focus on flood insurance. Six observations from a detailed case analysis are presented. They are (1) many property owners do not buy flood insurance; (2) people underestimate flood risk; (3) we need better flood maps; (4) we have a “love affair” with levees; (5) flood risk is increasing over time; and (6) we take deep pride in rebuilding after a disaster. Policy implications are discussed.

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What this paper is about

This paper examines the history of St. Louis, Mo. in coping with riverine flood risk over the past 15 years, with a focus on flood insurance. Six observations from a detailed case analysis are presented. They are (1) many property owners do not buy flood insurance; (2) people underestimate flood risk; (3) we need better flood maps; (4) we have a “love affair” with levees; (5) flood risk is increasing over time; and (6) we take deep pride in rebuilding after a disaster. Policy implications are discussed.

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OpenAlex reports 28 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

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Available abstract

This paper examines the history of St. Louis, Mo. in coping with riverine flood risk over the past 15 years, with a focus on flood insurance. Six observations from a detailed case analysis are presented. They are (1) many property owners do not buy flood insurance; (2) people underestimate flood risk; (3) we need better flood maps; (4) we have a “love affair” with levees; (5) flood risk is increasing over time; and (6) we take deep pride in rebuilding after a disaster. Policy implications are discussed.

Key concepts: Flood myth, Flood insurance, Pride, Flood risk management, Property insurance, Levee, Risk management, Natural hazard

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