At a Glance

Flooding has killed 43 people in the United States so far this year.That's already about half the annual average number of people killed by flooding.Most of the flooding deaths have occurred while driving.

Flooding has already killed dozens of people in the United States this year, continuing its reputation as one of the biggest weather-related killers.

As of May 6, flooding had killed , according to data compiled by the National Weather Service (NWS). Most of those deaths have occurred in the central United States where copious amounts of precipitation has fallen in the and triggered both river flooding and flash flooding.

States with flooding deaths in 2019.

(Data: National Weather Service)

The flooding death toll this year has easily surpassed the 31 people killed by tornadoes in 2019 through May 6. That follows the long-term trend of flooding being one of the most deadly weather events annually, even though it doesn't typically garner as much attention as tornadoes and hurricanes do.

Flooding has killed an average of over the last 30 years (1989-2018), according to NOAA. Only heat has been deadlier, on average, over that three-decade period. This year's death toll from flooding through early May is also already at half its annual average.

2019's flooding death toll highlights how dangerous it is to take vehicles into floodwaters. Of the 43 people killed by flooding in the U.S. so far this year, about 70 percent, or 30 people, were killed while driving.

Above is a breakdown of what has contributed to the flooding deaths in 2019. (Driving: 30, Walking/Hiking: 4, At Home: 2, Boating: 2, Fell In: 2, Other:3)

(Data: National Weather Service.)

When heavy rain threatens, never try to drive through a flooded road.

According to FEMA:

- Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and potential stalling.

- A foot of water will float many vehicles.

- Two feet of rushing water will carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups.

As the National Weather Service has campaigned for years: "Turn around, don't drown!"