Stories by Thomas Frank

Dry conditions have drawn down reservoirs, fueled massive wildfires and stunted crops

The program, offering reduced insurance costs, does little to encourage adaptation to sea level rise

The extreme dry conditions threaten crops and raise wildfire risks

Moisture measured in trees, shrubs and grasses is lowest since records began in the 1970s

Florida’s codes rank high, but those of Texas, Mississippi and Alabama are low

New risk ratings will improve economic equity

The at-risk properties have a combined value of $8.5 trillion, according to a new report

The money comes as FEMA looks to revamp its insurance program to better reflect flood risks

Development and sea-level rise threaten this crucial habitat and natural line of defense against storm surge

Safety officials need to use strong language and images to persuade the human psyche

The trend raises concerns about the accuracy of flood maps and the adequacy of insurance

Premiums will rise in October, but 51 percent of homeowners in high-risk areas are low-income

The Federal Emergency Management Agency acknowledges that recovery programs have unfairly burdened certain populations

A patchwork of state laws can leave some home buyers unaware of their risks and uninsured

Deanne Criswell, an experienced emergency manager, will be the first woman to lead the agency since it was created in 1979

As warming temperatures intensified precipitation over the last 30 years, floods costs have risen by $2.5 billion

The 22 events that each caused at least $1 billion in damage show the increasing costs of climate change

A federal panel set up after Hurricane Katrina warned that aid disproportionately helps wealthier areas

A federal report about vulnerability focuses on historically disadvantaged people for the first time

The combination of hurricanes, wildfires, and the pandemic meant the organization provided four times as much assistance as in an average year

A new FEMA index considers socioeconomic factors in evaluating community disaster vulnerability

Control of the Senate is seen as a linchpin to enacting meaningful climate legislation

The double threat has posed a particular challenge in developing nations like India and Bangladesh

Social vulnerabilities in the region, such as the prevalence of mobile homes, highlight the need for educating residents about storm risks