Op-Ed: Hurricane Ian and the coming climate crash
Hurricane Ian is a “natural” disaster of epic proportions, and the worst storm to hit the East North Central United States, according to experts and the National Hurricane Center. The storm is the first major hurricane to hit the U.S. since 2005. The storm is also the strongest since 2004.
The storm is projected to produce at least $1 billion in damage, and will result in at least a $6 billion in losses per year until the end of the century, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The storm’s track, which includes two known weak points, is forecast to create “a major, highly anticipated and very dangerous situation” in the region, according to the NWS.
The “extremely dangerous” storm is expected to hit in a few days, leaving major portions of the U.S. under water. Hurricane Harvey was projected to hit Texas later this week, but with heavy rain instead.
A recent study by the NWS found that the impact of hurricanes is projected to increase for all storm years from 2010 – 2040, and the increase is due to the fact that “our planet is on the brink of a mass, catastrophic global climate disaster,” according to lead author Ryan Maue, who studies global climate issues for the NWS.
The storm is forecast to hit as a major hurricane, with potential for 1 – 4 deaths, and “an enormous economic and public health impact,” according to the Weather Channel. The storm is predicted to create a storm surge of 2 – 10 feet. This is the highest level of water that will be produced by a hurricane on record.
The storm will produce “heavy rain, strong winds and potentially tornadoes,” in addition to a “major storm surge.” (A storm surge is the water generated by a hurricane when it makes landfall.)
The NWS projects that the storm will cause between $2.5 billion and $3.5 billion in property damage.
The cost of Hurricane Katrina is the highest estimated cost of a major coastal storm on record, and is projected to cause $125 billion in total damage.
A major storm is also forecast to hit Alabama.
Hurricane Harvey, now projected to end up as the fourth costliest storm on record, is the only hurricane forecast to strike a state
