Regions at high risk for flooding, wildfires, and other climate-fueled disasters continue to see rapid population growth.
Americans are moving to regions at high risk of climate-related disasters, putting more people in the path of dangerous hurricanes, wildfires, and other climate crises, reports Aimee Picchi for CBS News.
This is despite spiking insurance costs — and the refusal of some insurers to cover homeowners in certain states, such as Florida and California, altogether. A 2023 report found that over 3 million Americans have moved to new areas due to growing flood risks and prohibitively high insurance rates. “The average annual premium for a Florida homeowner is $5,500 — about 140% higher than the typical U.S. homeowner's cost of $2,285, according to Bankrate.”
However, “The populations of high-risk counties have grown at a rate that's 3 percentage points faster than low-risk counties over the last three decades, according to research from economists Agustin Indaco, Francesc Ortega and Xinle Pang.” In the West, where wildfires are growing larger and more destructive, is also seeing outsized population growth as people newly untethered from office jobs seek more affordable housing options.
According to a recent study, the bulk of migration, as well as development in flood-prone areas, is mainly concentrated in Florida and Louisiana, as well as other parts of the Gulf Coast.
FULL STORY: Americans are flocking to U.S. regions most threatened by climate change
How US Cities Can Prepare for Climate Disasters
Resilience, encompassing infrastructure, governance, economic strength, and social cohesion, is critical for cities to mitigate rising climate risks like flooding, wildfires, and heat, ensuring long-term recovery and adaptability.
Rental Housing at Risk From Environmental Hazards
From wildfires to hurricanes, environmental risks pose a threat to around 40 percent of U.S. rental units.
California Bans Insurance Companies From Dropping Homeowners in Wildfire Zones
The one-year moratorium is a stopgap measure to assist homeowners affected by recent wildfires as the state assesses ways of addressing the root causes of increasingly damaging natural disasters.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service