"The statistics are striking. Over the past 42 years, an annual average of 7.7 weather-related events caused at least $1 billion each in damage to residences, businesses and municipalities, according to an analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration," according to Washington Post writer Tara Barnard.
"Climate shifts are 'supercharging the increasing frequency and intensity of certain types of extreme weather that lead to billion-dollar disasters,' said Adam Smith, the climate scientist who led the NOAA analysis, 'most notably the vulnerability to drought, lengthening wildfire seasons in the Western states and the potential for extremely heavy rainfall becoming more common in the Eastern states.'"
"Assess risks. A variety of online tools can provide a starting point for assessing your home’s risk to earthly hazards.
Risk Factor has created a user-friendly tool that outlines flood, fire and extreme-heat risks (and soon other perils, including wind) for most homes across the country. Plug in an address, and it drills down to the property level, illustrating potential hazards."
I plugged in my address and found that "This property faces risk from 2 of 3 environmental factors." There is a minimal risk of flood, minor risk of fire, and moderate heat factor risk for my home.
Hmmm... Heat factor risk: "A heat wave consisting of 3 or more consecutive days where the “feels like” temperature meets or exceeds the local definition of a “hot day” is an increasing possibility as temperatures rise. The “hot day” temperature for this property is 92ºF. 30 years ago, the likelihood of a 3 day or longer heat wave affecting this property was 17%." I can attest to the increase in hot days after living in the same house for 30 years. Surrounded by trees we used to get by without air conditioning but no more as the temps flirt with 100 degrees far more than in the past. and the prospects for the future are for grim, hot summers.
Risk Factor (https://riskfactor.com/) is a fascinating tool with lots of information about your own home to help you prepare for a hotter future with more climate-related natural disasters. Check it out!
"The United States Geological Survey has hazard maps for earthquakes, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Flood Insurance Program maintain flood maps (which also determine whether a home with a federally backed mortgage is required to have flood insurance). The flood program has recently overhauled its rating methodology, called Risk Rating 2.0, but you’ll have to contact a flood insurance agent who can share more about your property’s unique risk, said Jeremy Edwards, a FEMA spokesman."
"Mitigate potential damage. Once you have a better idea of the risks, there may be things you can do to minimize damage if a flood or fire strike. The costs of mitigation will vary, but it may reduce your insurance premiums."
"Evaluate insurance needs. The insurance market varies greatly by locality and the hazards inherent to the area. Standard homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies do not cover all hazards. Floods and earthquakes always require separate coverage."
