Since 1990, there has been a 5 percent increase in the number ofstorms in the United States causing at least $1 billion in damage,according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Oftentimes, communities are still recovering from one storm whenthe next is on the horizon.

In October 2015, Hurricane Joaquin became a tropical depressionand intensified rapidly, becoming a major hurricane. Though Joaquinnever made landfall in the U.S., it interacted with a largelow-pressure system that had formed over the southeastern states,leading to record-breaking rainfall that began on Oct. 1 andcontinued through Oct. 6. As a result, flooding followed in manyparts of South Carolina.

Throughout the state, residential property, publicinfrastructure and farmland flooded. Over 540 roads and bridgeswere closed, including a 74-mile stretch of Interstate 95. Therewere at least 75 dam failures. Road repairs were estimated to cost$137 million. Businesses suffered four to six weeks’ majordisruption.

Total losses were estimated at $12 billion — comparable to theeconomic impact of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 — with approximately $2billion in insured and other funded losses.

One year later, Aon, ISET-International and Zurich released apost-event review on the floods. To gaininsights for their report on the October 2015 floods in SouthCarolina report, a team of scientists spent time in the stateinterviewing a number of people with direct knowledge of the event,including those in the communities affected by the floods. While 22counties were declared federal disaster areas, the report focuseson flooding in Columbia and Charleston and shows how the same stormcan unfold very differently across locations.

Related: View our full coverage on disaster risksand recovery for Hurricane Season 2016

Here are the top eight findings from the South Carolina report,with a look back on the flooding that devastated the state one yearago:

Pedestrians walk down Dorchester Road at Sawmill BranchCanal as it begins to wash away because of floodwaters nearSummerville, S.C., on Oct. 6, 2015. South Carolina had problemswith crumbling roads and bridges and old drinking water systems anddams long before the historic floods of 2015. (Photo: Mic Smith/APPhoto)

1. Build back better

In the aftermath of a disaster, recovery efforts should becarried out in ways designed to enhance resilience, not just tobuild back to the status before the disaster.

Related: After a hurricane strikes

A car is submerged in floodwaters in Florence, S.C., on Oct.4, 2015 after steady rain left many roads impassable. (Photo: GerryBroome/AP Photo)

2. Address misconceptions about flood risk

Some people wrongly believe that a rainfall or floodingconsidered a “1,000-year” event may reoccur only after 999 yearshave passed, but that categorization does not indicate actualfrequency of such an event.

Flood waters just reach just below the openings of mailboxesin the Ashborough subdivision near Summerville, S.C., on Oct. 5,2015. (Photo: Mic Smith/AP Photo)

3. Increase personal awareness and responsibility

New arrivals may not be aware of a city’s history and the floodrisk that goes with living in particular neighborhoods.

A man paddles a kayak down a flooded street in Columbia,S.C., on Oct. 4, 2015. The rainstorm cut power to thousands,forcing hundreds of water rescues and closing many roads because offloodwaters. (Photo: Chuck Burton/AP Photo)

4. Let people take the initiative

Many people affected by events have the capacity to helpthemselves and others.

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Work crews use an excavator to stabilize a dam on Oct. 7,2015, in Columbia, S.C. (Photo: John Bazemore/AP Photo)

5. Address problems related to dams

Dams need to be regularly assessed for flood risk to downstreamcommunities.

Cathy Stinson, right, and Maria Mayer, left, help a friendremove belongings from her flooded home in Forest Acres inColumbia, S.C., on Oct. 7, 2015. (Photo: Chuck Burton/APPhoto)

6. Review the damage assessment process

Inspectors who are local to the area and experienced in damageassessment of home construction would help alleviate somefrustration felt by people affected by floods.

Water surrounds a structure swamped by flooding on RoundtreeRoad along the Lynches River in Effingham, S.C., on Oct. 6, 2015.(Photo: Gerry Broome/AP Photo)

7. Make buyouts strategic

Use federal disaster recovery funds to buy out high-riskproperties and convert the land to open space.

Waves crash over an experimental sea wall made oftraditional sandbags to protect homes during high tide on the Isleof Palms, S.C., on Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo: Mic Smith/APPhoto)

8. Review insurance penetration and accessibility

Engage governments and policymakers on ways to increase thepurchase of flood-related insurance.

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