Natural Disasters
Floods Are Increasing in Supposedly Low-Risk Areas
The trend raises concerns about the accuracy of flood maps and the adequacy of insurance
Stories by Thomas Frank
Natural Disasters
Pressure Builds on Congress to Help People Afford Pricey Flood Insurance
Premiums will rise in October, but 51 percent of homeowners in high-risk areas are low-income
Policy & Ethics
FEMA Says It Will Make Disaster Response More Equitable
The Federal Emergency Management Agency acknowledges that recovery programs have unfairly burdened certain populations
Natural Disasters
Home Sales Need Better Disclosure of Flood Risk, Experts Say
A patchwork of state laws can leave some home buyers unaware of their risks and uninsured
Climate
Biden’s Pick to Lead FEMA Signals Urgency on Pandemic and Climate Change
Deanne Criswell, an experienced emergency manager, will be the first woman to lead the agency since it was created in 1979
Climate
Rising Costs of U.S. Flood Damage Linked to Climate Change
As warming temperatures intensified precipitation over the last 30 years, floods costs have risen by $2.5 billion
Natural Disasters
Billion-Dollar Disasters Shattered U.S. Record in 2020
The 22 events that each caused at least $1 billion in damage show the increasing costs of climate change
Policy & Ethics
Advisers Rebuke FEMA for Racial Disparities in Disaster Aid
A federal panel set up after Hurricane Katrina warned that aid disproportionately helps wealthier areas
Natural Disasters
LGBTQ People Are at Higher Risk in Disasters
A federal report about vulnerability focuses on historically disadvantaged people for the first time
Natural Disasters
2020 Is a Record Year for Disaster Shelters, Red Cross Says
The combination of hurricanes, wildfires, and the pandemic meant the organization provided four times as much assistance as in an average year
Climate
Riskiest Spot for Rising Seas Is 50 Miles from the Ocean
A new FEMA index considers socioeconomic factors in evaluating community disaster vulnerability
Policy & Ethics
How the Senate Race Could Shape Future U.S. Climate Action
Control of the Senate is seen as a linchpin to enacting meaningful climate legislation
Public Health
COVID Collides with Weather Disasters to Affect Millions Worldwide
The double threat has posed a particular challenge in developing nations like India and Bangladesh
Natural Disasters
Migrating Tornadoes Bring Heightened Danger to the Southeast
Social vulnerabilities in the region, such as the prevalence of mobile homes, highlight the need for educating residents about storm risks
Natural Disasters
Hurricane Sally’s Major Flooding Exposes Flaws in FEMA Maps
Tens of thousands of homeowners face financial losses because they were not considered to be in a flood zone and were not required to have insurance
Climate
How Record-Smashing Heat Ushered in Western Infernos
Large swaths of the Western U.S. had a record-hot August, which helped prime fuels for devastating wildfires
Climate
Disaster Program Allocates Unprecedented Funds for Climate Resilience
Communities will be able to tap into $500 million to mitigate against disasters by, for example, strengthening building codes
Natural Disasters
Shelters Stay Empty as Isaias Barrels Up the East Coast
Concerns over COVID-19 have officials urging evacuees to stay with friends and family or at hotels
Policy & Ethics
Disaster Management Is Too White, Official Tells Congress
More diversity is needed to reverse long-standing inequities in disaster response policies
Natural Disasters
Coronavirus Rages on Coasts as Hurricane Fears Rise
Dramatic increases in storm-prone areas will complicate evacuation, sheltering and recovery efforts
