Los Angeles: When Fire Season Never Ends
The tragic fires sweeping across the Greater Los Angeles area have burned more than 40,000 acres, destroyed more than 12,300 structures, and prompted evacuation orders and warnings for as many as 200,000 residents. The largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, has burned nearly 24,000 acres in Pacific Palisades and parts of Malibu. The Eaton Fire, located north of Pasadena, has burned more than 14,000 acres and left the community of Altadena in ashes. The Eaton and Palisades fires are now among the most destructive wildfires in California history. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana winds are burning across Los Angeles County. Building in what we know are long-standing fire, flood, drought, etc., zones elevates risk, clearly.
For kids, how they respond and recover will be partly connected to how their caregivers and important adults support and respond to them, and how quickly they can get back into important, shared, and daily routines – day care, school, friend and social activities. The psychological toll extends far beyond property damage.
Tokyo: Sinking City in Earthquake Territory
Rising oceans are also making the Tokyo metropolitan area, home to 38 million people, vulnerable to storm surges. Years of pumping up groundwater have caused some parts of the city to sink nearly 5 meters over the past century. This means that large parts of Tokyo are now below sea level and are only protected by outdated dikes. Tokyo, Taipei, and Manila are at risk of both big storm surges and earthquakes. Tokyo-Yokohama is the biggest city at risk of an earthquake, followed by cities like Los Angeles, Tehran, and Tashkent.
Many types of natural disasters occur in Japan such as tsunamis, floods, typhoons, earthquakes, cyclones, and volcanic eruptions, leading to periodic disruptions in economic and social activities. The country has gone through thousands of years of natural disasters, affecting and shaping Japanese culture, economy, development, and social life.
Miami: Hurricane Haven with Rising Seas
In 1992, Miami endured Hurricane Andrew, which hit the city and left a trail of destruction with over 160,000 residents homeless and over 20,000 homes damaged. Miami has the highest risk for hurricanes, lightning, and river flooding. The city’s residents face an annual cycle of anxiety as hurricane season approaches each summer.
Miami’s warm weather, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife have always been a big draw. The tax benefits are also a great perk to living in the city–there’s no state tax or personal income tax, meaning residents can benefit from tax-free pensions and retirement pay. But there is a cost to living in Miami–the natural disasters. Miami, FL, holds the highest total value of homes at severe or extreme heat risk, in addition to wind and flood risk.
New Orleans: Below Sea Level and Battling Time
With a rich history dating back to the 1700s, a lively nightlife and music scene, and festivals like Mardi Gras, New Orleans is one of the must-visit cities in the United States. However, behind all these diverse and exciting offerings is a city vulnerable to natural disasters, especially hurricanes and floods. Situated below sea level and surrounded by water, New Orleans is at constant risk of storm surges, particularly during hurricane season, which lasts from June through November. Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest hurricanes in US history, hit the city in 2005 and caused widespread property destruction, environmental pollution, and killed over 1,300 people. New Orleans is even projected to be underwater by 2050, although officials are doing what they can to mitigate the issue.
Known for its charming uniqueness, music scene, delicious dining, and celebratory spirit, New Orleans is always a fun time. That said, the city is highly vulnerable to natural disasters and is susceptible to high temperatures, rain, flooding, and hurricanes. New Orleans is heavily impacted by climate change because of its water-related vulnerabilities such as sea level rise, tornadoes, and flooding. A key factor behind these risks in New Orleans is the city’s very low elevation levels.
Houston: Gulf Coast Gateway to Destruction
As the most populous city in Texas, Houston is a beautiful destination that offers first-time visitors a lot of things to do. Despite its beauty and thriving industries, Houston is vulnerable to natural disasters due to its location near the Gulf of Mexico, where hurricanes and tropical storms often make landfall. The city’s flat terrain and bayou system intensify flooding risks, as seen during Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The Category 4 hurricane dumped over 40 inches of rain in some areas in less than 48 hours, caused catastrophic flooding, displaced over 30,000 people, and claimed 89 lives.
In August of 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit Texas and killed at least 68 people, more than half of which were in the Houston metro-area. The trauma of Harvey continues to shape how residents approach severe weather warnings.
San Diego: Wildfire Alley in Paradise
Set along California’s Pacific coast is San Diego, a beautiful city known for its picturesque beaches, family-friendly attractions, and idyllic climate. Unfortunately, the city is exposed to natural disasters, especially wildfires and earthquakes. The city’s dry climate and strong winds create prime conditions for wildfires, with the fire department encountering major fires such as the Witch Creek and Guejito Fires of 2007. These fires burnt over 9,000 acres and caused over 200,000 to evacuate. Besides wildfires, San Diego is also vulnerable to earthquakes as it lies near significant fault lines, including the Rose Canyon and San Andreas Faults.
The constant threat means residents live with go-bags packed and evacuation plans rehearsed. Many describe checking wind patterns and humidity levels as part of their morning routine, just like checking the weather.
Manila: Storm Surge Capital of Asia
Tokyo, Taipei, and Manila are at risk of both big storm surges and earthquakes. East Asia has eight of the 10 cities most at risk from storm surges. Mumbai and Chennai, in India, make up the other two. Some large cities are exposed to as many as four or five different types of natural disasters. These include such large urban centres as Manila, Tokyo, Santiago and Guatemala City, the capitals of the Philippines, Japan, Chile and Guatemala respectively.
The density of Manila’s population makes evacuation particularly challenging when typhoons approach. Families often have to make split-second decisions about whether to stay in vulnerable homes or flee to overcrowded shelters.
San Francisco: The City That Waits for The Big One
More established cities, like Tokyo and Nagoya, in Japan (tsunamis, earthquakes, and storms), as well as Los Angeles or San Francisco (earthquakes) are also at risk. In North America, Los Angeles, Mexico City, and San Francisco have the greatest number of people potentially affected by one of five perils.
The city’s seismic history creates a unique psychological landscape where residents live with constant awareness that “The Big One” could strike at any moment. Earthquake preparedness drills are ingrained in daily life, and many buildings still bear retrofitting scars from previous safety upgrades.
New York City: Hurricane Alley Meets Urban Density
The way FEMA calculates the index spotlights places long known as danger spots, like Los Angeles, but some other places highlighted run counter to what most people would think. For instance, eastern cities such as New York and Philadelphia rank far higher on the risk for tornadoes than tornado alley stalwarts Oklahoma and Kansas. FEMA’s top 10 riskiest places, in addition to Los Angeles, are three counties in the New York City area – Bronx, New York County (Manhattan) and Kings County (Brooklyn) – along with Miami, Philadelphia, Dallas, St. Louis and Riverside and San Bernardino counties in California.
The report points out that Hurricane Sandy was hugely disruptive to the New York area last Fall. But, comparatively speaking, it wasn’t particularly severe in its wind speed or its effect, at least as measured in the number of people killed, injured, or evacuated). Disasters in other places could make the Sandy aftermath look like a trifling inconvenience.
St. Louis: River City at Risk
Dubbed the Gateway to the West, St. Louis is an eclectic city set along the Missouri River, featuring a thriving music scene. Famed for its iconic Gateway Arch, this city faces a unique combination of natural disasters, including tornadoes, flooding, and earthquakes. The city’s location near the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers makes it susceptible to major floods, like the Great Flood of 1993. Renowned as one of the most devastating floods in the country, the flood impacted transportation systems, caused over $10 billion in damage, and killed over 40 people.
The fear of flooding affects property values and insurance rates throughout the region. Many residents avoid buying homes in certain neighborhoods based solely on their flood history.
Dallas: Hail and Heat Extremes
Hawaii County is tops in volcano risk and Honolulu County for tsunamis, Dallas for hail, Philadelphia for heat waves and California’s Riverside County for wildfires. The city’s location in “Hail Alley” means that severe thunderstorms can produce baseball-sized hail that destroys cars, roofs, and windows with frightening regularity.
range of natural disasters, from tornadoes to flooding, wildfires, hurricanes, hail storms and sinkholes. Like Texas, Alabama is subject to a variety of natural disasters, but it’s especially prone to tornadoes. Alabama experienced 46 tornadoes in 2018, according to the National Weather Service. The psychological impact extends to children who grow up learning to identify tornado sirens as part of normal childhood development.
Oakland: Earthquake Country with Fire Risks
Oakland is known for its exciting art scene, good quality of life, and rich culture. And it’s easy access San Francisco, which is convenient for commuters and anyone who wants to enjoy the city. However, Oakland is at a high risk of earthquakes since it is located near the Hayward Fault. In addition, the area is affected by drought, rain, and flooding, with an expected annual loss of $1,212,128,362 due to extreme weather.
The dual threat of earthquakes and wildfires creates a unique preparedness challenge. Residents must plan for scenarios where seismic activity could trigger fires, or where fire evacuations might be complicated by earthquake damage to roads and infrastructure.
Philadelphia: The Surprising Tornado Risk
For instance, eastern cities such as New York and Philadelphia rank far higher on the risk for tornadoes than tornado alley stalwarts Oklahoma and Kansas. Hawaii County is tops in volcano risk and Honolulu County for tsunamis, Dallas for hail, Philadelphia for heat waves and California’s Riverside County for wildfires.
Many Philadelphia residents remain unaware of their city’s tornado risk, leading to a dangerous preparedness gap. The urban environment can actually amplify tornado damage through the “urban heat island effect” and wind channeling between buildings.
Riverside: California’s Fire Front Line
Located between LA and Orange County, Riverside offers affordable housing, a dynamic downtown, and a strong sense of community. But it’s also a place hit by natural disasters. According to FEMA, Riverside is at high risk for fires and earthquakes. Hawaii County is tops in volcano risk and Honolulu County for tsunamis, Dallas for hail, Philadelphia for heat waves and California’s Riverside County for wildfires.
Back in the day when these homes were being built, they were little bungalows that were developed and maybe bought on the cheap by actors working in Hollywood in the 20th century. And now they’re sought after properties. They are very expensive. Everybody wants to live there, but the infrastructure was never built for that many people. Also, narrow and hilly roads make access to these areas very difficult.
San Jose: Silicon Valley’s Seismic Reality
San Jose is a major technology hub in California, renowned for its architectural landmarks, bustling downtown area, and natural beauty. Surrounded by rolling hills, this city is at risk of earthquakes due to its proximity to the San Andreas and Hayward Faults, highlighting its susceptibility to seismic activity.
The tech industry’s presence creates unique challenges, as data centers and technology infrastructure require specialized earthquake-resistant design. Many tech workers describe living with the constant awareness that the next major earthquake could disrupt not just their homes, but their entire industry’s operations in the region.
And then there are a lot of people who have lost everything and who are not going to be able to recover, who are going to go into debt, who are going to have residual stressors that can lead to health and mental health issues. A lot of people were barely scraping by, and this will push more people over the edge. Even accessing some disaster assistance programs can take years and can be very complicated and very difficult to do if you don’t have a lawyer or an accountant to help you through it.