Reducing Coastal Risk on the East and Gulf Coasts.

摘要

Hurricane- and coastal-storm-related economic losses have increased substantially over the past century, largely due to expanding population and development in the most susceptible coastal areas. Eight U.S. cities (Miami, the New York-Newark region, New Orleans, Tampa- St. Petersburg, Boston, Philadelphia, Virginia Beach, and Baltimore) rank among the worlds top 20 in terms of estimated potential average annual losses from coastal flooding. Hurricanes Sandy (2012) and Katrina (2005) recently raised awareness of this vulnerability. Climate change poses additional threats to coastal communities. Climate projections suggest possible increases in the strength and frequency of the most intense hurricanes, and sea-level rise will increase the likelihood of major flood events. Concurrent with the growth in economic losses from natural hazard, there has also been a substantial shift in the source of funds used to cover these losses in the United States. Over the past 60 years, the federal government has assumed an increasing proportion of the financial responsibility associated with coastal storms. This trend highlights the challenges ahead, particularly if federal post-disaster relief discourages state and local governments from taking appropriate actions to reduce risk and enhance resilience.