By Caroline Kim '25
On August 8, 2023, deadly wildfires swept through the island of Maui, devastating the town of Lahaina. They destroyed over 2,200 buildings and left 4,000 citizens without shelter. These fires were ultimately the result of Hurricane Dora, the longest-lasting Category 4 hurricane ever recorded in the Pacific. This tragic event is just one example of the increasingly destructive nature of hurricanes. Climate change has caused a sharp uptick in hurricane frequency and intensity. This disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, warranting some sort of intervention to prevent any disastrous consequences.
New studies show that hurricane damage will continue to rise over the following decades. This trend is caused by a combination of different factors. As ocean temperatures rise, storms are provided with more moisture, fueling extreme rainfall and slowing hurricane speed. Rising ocean levels also increase the height of storm surges, which are walls of water whipped up by hurricanes that eventually hit shorelines. These factors will only grow more pronounced over the coming years. To make matters worse, the populations that most experience hurricane damage often lack the resources necessary to recover.
Vulnerable populations are put at a disadvantage before a hurricane even arrives. Poor communities are often high-risk flood zones because their land is less expensive. Cheaper homes also lack proper infrastructure, and poor neighborhoods do not receive timely warnings about hurricanes. Once a hurricane hits, the death toll for vulnerable populations far exceeds that of affluent neighborhoods. Immediately after a hurricane, most emergency resources are directed away from particular demographics including multiple-family households and certain ethnic groups. Recent studies show that excess deaths following hurricanes are typically centered around areas with high minority populations. Vulnerable groups are placed at such a severe disadvantage that they cannot make full recoveries. This pattern must be addressed urgently given the predicted rise in hurricane frequency and intensity.
Some solutions can be implemented easily, while others require long-term measures. For example, if cities were to mandate an equal response to all affected populations following a hurricane, the disproportionate financial burden placed on low-income families to repair damages would be diminished. Long-term solutions include rebuilding houses with poor infrastructure, and in some cases, rethinking entire city layouts to accommodate for rising sea levels. Regardless of the type of change required, it is clear that such measures are necessary for the safety of families and communities.
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