Residents of four states will get more information about flood risk to their homes

Millions of Americans receive little or no information about flood risk before they buy a house or sign a lease, leading families to put their safety, belongings and financial security in harm's way. New rules in four states aim to address the problem. (Ryan Kellman/NPR)

Millions of homes and apartments in the United States are at risk for expensive and dangerous flooding. But, in many states, when you purchase a home or sign a lease, you receive virtually no information about that flood risk.

That means many Americans are flying blind as they make one of their most consequential decisions: where to live.