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30 Costliest Mainland United States Tropical Cyclones <br /> 1900-2006 <br /> Rank Name or Location Year Cate or Dama e* (Millions) <br /> 22 Carol 1954 3 $4,345 <br /> 23 Isabel 2003 2 $3,985 ' <br /> 24 Juan 1985 1 $3,417 <br /> 25 Donna 1960 4 $3,345 <br /> 26 Celia 1970 3 $3,038 <br /> 27 Bob 1991 2 $2,853 <br /> 28 Elena 1985 3 $2,848 <br /> 29 Carla 1961 4 $2,604 <br /> 30 Dennis 2005 3 $2,330 <br /> Source: "The Deadliest, Costliest,and Most Intense United States Tropical Cyclones from 1851 to 2006(and <br /> Other Frequently Requested Hurricane Facts)"by Eric S.Blake,Edward N.Rappaport,and Christopher W. <br /> Landsea,National Weather Service—National Hurricane Center,Miami FI,2007 <br /> *Using 2006 De,f lator: 2006$based on U.S.DOC Implicit Price Deflator for Construction <br /> Floods <br /> Flooding is normally the result of a larger event such as a hurricane,nor'easter or <br /> thunderstorm. Flooding is caused by excessive precipitation and can be generally <br /> considered in two categories: flash floods and general floods. Flash floods are the product <br /> of localized, high-intensity precipitation over a short time period in small drainage basins. <br /> General floods are caused by precipitation over a longer time period and over a given river <br /> basin. <br /> A combination of river basin physiography, local thunderstorm movements,past soil <br /> moisture conditions, and the degree of vegetative clearing determine the severity of a <br /> flooding event. Flooding is typically most severe in areas of the floodplain immediately <br /> adjacent to major streams and rivers. <br /> Flooding can be as frequent as the occurrence of a spring rain or summer thunderstorm. The <br /> amount of precipitation produced by storm events determines the type of flooding. Flash <br /> floods,which typically occur more frequently than general floods,occur along small <br /> streams and creeks. <br /> The undermining or washing out of roads is typically associated with flash floods. <br /> General flooding occurs less frequently and as the result of much larger storm events such <br /> as hurricanes. These larger storm events occur along the East Coast of the United States <br /> most often in the late summer and fall. <br /> Orange County is located at the headwaters of three major river basins (the Roanoke, <br /> Neuse, and Cape Fear Rivers). Because of this,floodplains in the county tend to be much , <br /> narrower than floodplains found further downstream. The total economic and loss of life <br /> impact due to flooding depends greatly on the amount of development within the area. <br /> Orange County prohibits new construction in floodplain areas and the Town of Carrboro <br /> 9 <br />