When I first read this study I was amazed at its intellectual honesty in dealing with facts. No hype. No hyperbole.
They make their case based on historic storms that have struck the many coastlines of the US in the distant and not so distant past.
There is not one mention of climate change being a factor in the assessment. The assessment is based entirely on facts and long term historic weather trends. Oddly enough, the insurance industries scientists seem to have a better grasp of historic trends than some alleged experts.
Current development levels in areas that have a long history of flooding are a numerous talking point in the regional assessments. The impact of that development is key to how high many of the damage assessments are for even a modest CAT 1 storm.
The effect local geography has on the impact of a storm is key in many of the regional assessments. This is an often over looked factor when people blame climate change for their floods.
Over all it is a great read.
When it comes to hurricane risk, it’s Florida and the Gulf Coast who frequently come to mind. For residents of these areas, disaster preparedness gear like storm shutters, generators, and plywood, is a part of life. Yet according to a report out June 7, the cities with the greatest risk for hurricane-related storm damage aren’t the usual suspects.
The study, conducted by CoreLogic, suggests that it is Atlantic Coast cities like New York City and Virginia Beach, rather than those on the Gulf Coast, who have the most to lose. According to the report, if an extreme weather system were to hit New York City, an urban area with many homes and businesses just above sea level, the cost could soar to more than $48 billion. In urban areas like New York City, even a small storm can cause a great deal of damage.
“The summer of 2011 gave us some startling insight into the damage that even a weak storm can cause in the New York City metro area,” CoreLogic vice president Howard Botts said in a June 7 press statement.
Hurricane Irene, which slowed to a tropical storm as it passed through New York City last August, cost New York City $55 million. For many, even that figure was greeted with relief. “We got lucky,” Joe Coscarelli of New York pointed out days later.
Which other cities face tremendous costs if a storm surge were to hit? According to CoreLogic, the top 10 cities facing the largest risk include:
- New York, Ny.
- Virginia Beach, Va.
- Miami, Fl.
- New Orleans, Lo.
- Tampa, Fl.
- Boston, Ma.
- Houston, Tx.
- Cape Coral, Fl.
- Jacksonville, Fl.
- Charleston, Sc.
What should you do in the event of a storm? See the “Hurricane Safety Checklist” produced by the Red Cross.
[Reuters]
Photo: Hurricane Irene Makes Landfall in North Carolina, NASA Goddard Photo and Video/Flickr
