Biggest Natural Disaster Risks Around The U.S.

Every region of the United States is vulnerable to at least one natural disaster. Fortunately, some disasters can be anticipated and there is time to prepare for the blow. However, many times disasters hit us by surprise and are often linked to another natural event that can occur.
Let’s take a look at United States by region to identify the natural disasters that are more likely to occur in that area and their implications:

North East

Severe Winter Storms
The northeastern part of the United States is known for its severe winter weather, also called “Nor’easters”. These winter storms can bring life to a standstill because of the amount of snow that can get dumped over the states. The risks increase for severe flooding when snow from these storms begins to melt.

Many businesses and homes experience burst pipes from the cold weather that hits the northeastern states as well.  These infrastructure disasters can cause an enormous amount of costly damage to property as well – water damaged personal items, books, keepsakes and photos.

The South, Including the Atlantic & Gulf Coast

Hurricanes
Hurricane season begins on June 1 and lasts through November 30. During this season, intense tropical storms can also form, which bring heavy rainfall. Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters. The disturbance and low pressure are energized by the waters and become tropical depressions. When the speeds of the winds reach 74 mph and there is a clear “eye”, the tropical storm is then considered to be a hurricane.

Heavy precipitation, flooding, and strong winds form the giant, spiraling storms that can devastate handfuls of communities at a time. Communities can take many years to recover from the damages a hurricane can cause.

The Great Plains & Midwest

Tornadoes
This region of the United States is known to have the greatest amount of tornadoes. Tornadoes start out as thunderstorms that develop into vertical wind tunnels. Tornadoes can reach speeds of up to 250 mph. This section of the country, states that run from Louisiana and Texas up to Iowa and North Dakota, is generally considered to be “Tornado Alley.”  Tornadoes often cause a lot of water, wind, and fire damage in the areas they terrorized.

Floods
Floods often overflow in these areas because water overtakes land that is normally dry. More often than not, lakes and rivers overflow their banks because of broken levees or dams and snows that melt quickly.

Floods, often not covered under regular home or business insurance policies, can cause millions of dollars of damage. They can cripple the foundations of building along with their support structures. Often times wet items from the floods are not dried properly, therefore, causing mold damage and rot to personal items. Flood damaged books and mold damaged documents have been a reported problem that hinders businesses trying to rebuild after a disaster.

The West Coast

Earthquakes
Many areas in the west coast lie over fault lines that release built up pressure and cause an earthquake. The Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of active volcanoes and tectonic activity in the west, has caused approximately 90% of the world’s quakes.
The movement of the earth can cause buildings to topple, which can cause a break in water pipes and disturbances in electrical lines. When pipes break in a building, for example, rooms full of data and expensive electronic equipment experience frustrating amounts of water damage. Electric sparks can cause fires, adding to the mess the quake had already caused.

Wildfires
Wildfires famously affect the west coast and are the fastest growing fire threat. These fires can be caused by humans or nature and can become uncontrollable as they can move in speeds of up to 14 mph.  Wildfires are often fueled by weather, wind, and dry brush. Within the last few years, wildfires have burned up to 9 million acres.

Many times wildfires cause communities to have to evacuate to preserve the safety of the citizens in the area. Fire damages can cause people to have start from square-one in only a couple of hours.

Geologic and atmospheric hazards that occur in areas of vulnerability make up most of the more commonly known natural disasters. Although some regions of the United States are more prone to experiencing a certain type of natural disaster, no area is immune to experiencing an abnormal event. One can become less vulnerable to these types of events with proper planning and emergency preparation.

~Flora Richards-Gustafson, 2009

Sources:
Earthquakes. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 4 April 2009.
Geography of the United States. Wikipedia. 16 March 2009. 4 April 2009.
Natural Disasters: Floods. National Geographic. 4 April 2009.
Natural Disasters: Hurricanes. National Geographic. 4 April 2009.
Natural Disasters: Wildfires. National Geographic.  4 April 2009.