Few States Actively Combating Increased Hurricane Risk Despite Rising Frequency

Recent research from the University of Copenhagen’s Niels Bohr Institute reveals a significant increase in the frequency and impact of hurricanes in the United States, with the worst storms now occurring 330% more frequently than a century ago. This study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), challenges previous beliefs that rising storm damage costs were primarily due to more expensive infrastructure in storm paths. Instead, it attributes the increased losses to the growing number of powerful hurricanes. Despite these findings, many U.S. states remain inadequately prepared for the escalating hurricane threat, highlighting a critical gap in disaster readiness and coastal resilience strategies.

Louisiana stands out as a proactive state, implementing a comprehensive $50-billion Coastal Master Plan in response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. This plan focuses on elevating homes, restoring wetlands, and constructing breakwaters to mitigate future hurricane damage. Similarly, New York has initiated a community-led effort to reintroduce 1 billion live oysters to New York Harbor by 2035, leveraging natural barriers against storm surges. These initiatives underscore the importance of natural and engineered defenses in reducing hurricane risks and enhancing community resilience.

However, the overall preparedness of U.S. states is lacking, with calls for more aggressive action at both federal and state levels to protect communities, assets, and ecosystems from the increasing hurricane threat. Investing in disaster risk reduction is not only financially prudent—potentially saving six dollars for every dollar spent—but also vital for the health and safety of communities facing these growing challenges.