A small but growing number of people are taking climate change into account when choosing where to live. Armed with climate studies, movers can identify locations that are less likely to experience extreme weather events, such as wildfires, drought and flooding.
Because they are older, retirees are particularly at risk during climate-induced disasters.
"Extreme weather can be particularly dangerous, and even deadly, for the elderly, who are more likely to have chronic medical conditions and disabilities, according to numerous studies."
"Three-quarters of residents who died in the 2018 Camp fire, which destroyed the Northern California community of Paradise, were 65 and older. Well over half of the record-high 323 people who died from heat-related causes in Arizona’s Maricopa County in 2020 were at least 50. And two-thirds of the people who died in Florida during Hurricane Ian in September were 60 and older."
Resources are available to assess the climate risk of your current home or places you are considering moving to for work or retirement.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate.gov provides data on floods, wildfires, drought, wind, disease and other climate hazards.
Current and prospective buyers can check out specific properties. "Risk Factor provides data on anticipated wildfire, flooding and extreme heat risks for 145 million properties in the United States over the next 30 years."
"Each property is ranked for each type of risk on a scale from 1 (minimal) to 10 (extreme). The online tool provides a percentage likelihood of the risk occurring over time — for example, that floodwaters could reach your house in the next five or 10 years or that the community could experience a certain number of 100-degree days. (ClimateCheck also provides property-specific risk data on heat, drought, fire, flood and storm.)"
Some real estate agencies provide climate risk projections. First Street Foundation, the nonprofit that developed Risk Factor,is useful to current homeowners as well as prospective buyers. Once you know your current risk you can take action to minimize the risk from climate-related disasters.
Buyers who choose to move to a risky area should first explore the costs of hurricane windows, flame-resistant roofs, energy-efficient air-conditioning, home elevation and repairs from wind damage or flooding.
Before buying, "ask several insurance companies about the cost and availability of homeowners’ coverage. Premiums are rising considerably in communities prone to wildfires, hurricanes or flooding, and many insurers are not renewing policies, limiting coverage or pulling out of high-risk markets."
Source:‘Do You Really Want to Rebuild at 80?’ Rethinking Where to Retire.
No comments:
Post a Comment