Hurricanes, flood insurance and the dangers of ‘business as usual’
The insurance industry should help its customers prepare for future catastrophes instead of burying it's head in the sand.
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Articles on Hurricanes
Displaying 1 - 20 of 53 articles
Why Hurricanes Harvey and Irma won’t lead to action on climate change
For the first time in years, Americans are acutely aware of the perils of extreme weather, but don't expect views on climate risks to shift overnight.
Hurricanes drive immigration to the US
Data reveal how hurricanes affect migration, and what it means for US immigration policy.
Explainer: how does the sea ‘disappear’ when a hurricane passes by?
Pictures of ocean bays emptied of water as Hurricane Irma moved through the Caribbean and Florida show that storm surges can move away from the coast, as well as onto it.
Do hurricanes feel the effects of climate change?
What scientists know – and don't know – about the linkage between climate change and hurricanes.
Should the US put power lines underground?
Would putting power lines underground avoid hurricanes knocking out electricity service for millions of people? The answer is not as straightforward as it seems.
The mental health impact of major disasters like Harvey and Irma
After the storm is over, it's time to rebuild – and natural disasters can affect survivors' health for years to come.
Irma and Harvey: very different storms, but both affected by climate change
Warmer oceans, higher sea levels and heavier rainfall are making the effects of hurricanes worse.
Hurricane Irma’s devastation of Caribbean territories piles pressure on strained relationship with UK
The aid and assistance Britain's Caribbean territories will need to rebuild will make highlight the fault lines in the relationship between Westminster and its former colonies.
Hurricanes may be getting more severe – do we need a whole new category to describe them?
The scale from one to five that is used to measure the destructive power of a hurricane may no longer be enough.
Why social media apps should be in your disaster kit
Social media apps are becoming as important as water, food and batteries when communities face natural disasters. One key function is helping people connect with neighbors and support each other.
Are catastrophic disasters striking more often?
Saturated media coverage of hurricanes like Harvey and Irma can make it seem like disasters happen all the time. Is the frequency of billion-dollar disasters really rising?
6 rules for rebuilding infrastructure in an era of ‘unprecedented’ weather events
After extreme weather events like Hurricane Harvey, city planners need to think about the smartest way to rebuild. Here are some no-regrets infrastructure investment ideas.
What victims of Hurricane Harvey can learn from Katrina as rebuilding begins
Researchers examined credit data on the victims of Hurricane Katrina to understand how the disaster affected their personal finances, revealing important lessons for those hurt by Harvey.
What Hurricane Harvey says about risk, climate and resilience
Three atmospheric scientists from Texas say Hurricane Harvey shows how the country needs to adapt to the effects of climate change and cut carbon emissions.
Why Texans heard conflicting messages about evacuating ahead of Hurricane Harvey
Why did some Texas coastal cities order mandatory evacuations ahead of Hurricane Harvey while others, including Houston, did not? There is no formula for these decisions; either choice can backfire.
After Harvey, many Texans will think differently about hurricane risks
Many people may have stayed put during Hurricane Harvey because no storm that big had struck Texas since 1961. But like New Orleans after Katrina, Texas is likely to be much better prepared next time.
What made the rain in Hurricane Harvey so extreme?
An expert in extreme weather events explains why the rain – and thus flooding – associated with Hurricane Harvey has been 'unprecedented.'
Older victims of Hurricane Harvey may need special attention as Texas recovers
Evacuations and disruptions to health care during and after disasters like Hurricane Harvey are serious threats for older adults, who may need support well after relief operations end.
Don’t blame climate change for the Hurricane Harvey disaster – blame society
The widespread discussion as to whether the Hurricane Harvey disaster was caused by climate change or not is a dangerous distraction from the real issues.
Top contributors
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Distinguished Senior Scientist, National Center for Atmospheric Research
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Professor of Atmospheric Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering, Rice University
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Professor of Political Science, Public Policy and Urban Affairs and Director, Security and Resilience Program, Northeastern University
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Clinical Associate Professor of Nursing, University of Michigan
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Professor of Environmental Planning, University of Waikato
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Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto
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Climate Extremes Research Fellow, University of Melbourne
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Research Associate, Lancaster University
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Lecturer in Human Geography and Urban Development, Manchester Metropolitan University
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Senior Lecturer in Disaster Risk Reduction, University of Newcastle
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Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, Royal Holloway
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Senior Professional Staff, Johns Hopkins University
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Professor of Practice in Meteorology, Professor of International Affairs & Director Center for Solutions to Weather and Climate Risk, Pennsylvania State University
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Economist and Research Scientist, The Ohio State University
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