Wildfires, floods, heat, and insurance collapse are driving the biggest internal migration since the Dust Bowl.
A 2025 poll by the First Street Foundation found 1 in 5 Americans have seriously considered moving due to climate risk in the past two years.
By 2050, up to 13 million Americans could be displaced by sea-level rise alone.
Source: First Street Foundation / NOAA 2025
Louisiana & Gulf Coast — Repeat hurricane flooding and storm surge has accelerated exodus from Plaquemines & Terrebonne parishes. Some towns face complete abandonment.
California Wildfire Counties — Butte, Plumas, and Lassen counties lost significant population after repeated fires. Insurance non-renewals are accelerating departures.
Miami-Dade, FL — "Sunny day" flooding is making low-lying neighborhoods uninsurable and unsellable.
Major insurers — including State Farm, Allstate, and Farmers — have stopped writing new home policies in parts of California and Florida.
Florida homeowners face average premiums of $6,000–$10,000/year in high-risk coastal zones, up 4x since 2020.
Louisiana's state insurer of last resort became insolvent in 2023. Residents with no coverage have simply left.
Source: NAIC / Florida CFO Reports 2025
Cities with low flood risk, lower temps, affordable housing — drawing climate-aware movers
Perched on Lake Superior, Duluth has abundant freshwater, mild summers, and is far from wildfire, hurricane, and sea-level risks.
The city is actively marketing itself as a "climate refuge" to attract young professionals and climate-aware families.
Average high in July: 76°F. Median home price: $229,000 — far below coastal metros.
Source: City of Duluth Climate Action Plan 2025
Tax base collapse — When middle-class homeowners leave, property tax revenues fall. Schools and services suffer first.
Stranded assets — Homes in flood and fire zones lose value rapidly. Many homeowners can't sell at a price that allows relocation.
Federal inaction — No national climate relocation program exists. Most burden falls on individuals and local governments.
Environmental justice — Low-income communities and communities of color have fewer options to move and bear the greatest risk.
Use the First Street Foundation's Risk Factor tool to check flood, fire, heat, and wind risk for any US address.
Check if your home insurer has filed to exit or raise rates in your state — state insurance departments publish these filings.
FEMA's updated flood maps (released 2024–2025) now show significantly expanded high-risk zones. Many previously "safe" areas are now Zone AE.
Climate risk is increasingly factored into mortgage lending decisions by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Monitor heat events, drought, wildfire, and flood risk across the US in real time using our free interactive dashboard.