U.S. Cities in Harm’s Way
You have signed a mortgage in Florida, and are now holding your breath through the current hurricane season. Or you commute to work every day in California, crossing over two earthquake faults, twice. You live in a major flood plain and are beginning to realize that “100-year” floods may occur more often than they’re advertised.
Some areas of the country are much more at risk to these events than others. Natural Disaster Risk
from highest to lowest risk
50. Miami, FL
49. New Orleans, LA
48. Oakland, CA
47. San Francisco, CA
46. Honolulu, HI
45. San Jose, CA
43. Los Angeles, CA*
43. Houston, TX*
42. Long Beach, CA
39. Tulsa, OK*
39. Oklahoma City, OK*
39. Columbus, OH*
38. Sacramento, CA
35. Virginia Beach, VA*
35. Seattle, WA*
35. Memphis, TN*
32. New York, NY*
32. Jacksonville, FL*
32. Boston, MA*
31. San Diego, CA
30. Portland, OR
29. Charlotte, NC
28. Baltimore, MD
27. Washington, DC
26. Louisville, KY
25. Indianapolis, IN
22. Fort Worth, TX*
22. Dallas, TX*
22. Arlington, TX*
21. Kansas City, MO
20. Austin, TX
19. Omaha, NE
18. Atlanta, GA
17. Nashville, TN
16. San Antonio, TX
15. Las Vegas, NV
14. Albuquerque, NM
13. Denver, CO
12. Chicago, IL
8. Philadelphia, PN*
8. Minneapolis, MN*
8. Fresno, CA*
8. Detroit, MI*
7. Colorado Springs, CO
3. Tucson, AZ*
3. Phoenix, AZ*
3. El Paso, TX*
3. Cleveland, OH*
1. Milwaukee, WI*
1. Mesa, AZ*
* Denotes tie
SustainLane wondered how the 50 largest cities in the U.S. stacked up against natural disaster risk. This ranking was devised with SustainLane primary research as well as with information from Risk Management Solutions (see chart for complete ranking of cities from safest to most at risk). We looked at hurricanes, major flooding, catastrophic hail, tornado super-outbreaks, and earthquakes. We looked at potential frequency of disasters as well as the extent of damage.
Cities at Greatest Risk
Based on these criteria, the cities with the greatest natural disaster risk are Miami (#50), which is sited on a peninsula between two prolific hurricane zones; New Orleans (#49); Oakland (#48), which straddles the Hayward Earthquake Fault; San Francisco (#47), on the San Andreas Fault and at risk for tsunamis; Honolulu (#46), subject to hurricanes, storm surge flooding, and tsunamis; and San Jose (#45), which is also near the San Andreas Fault.
Cities at Least Risk
Some U.S. cities are much less likely to be impacted by such natural disasters. Leading the pack for safe cities when considering such scenarios are Mesa, Arizona (#1) and Milwaukee, Wisconsin (#1), both of which are least likely to face hurricanes, earthquakes, catastrophic and tornado super-outbreaks, as they lack conditions needed to create these disasters. Catastrophic flooding is also not as likely. Other major U.S. cities ranking high for safety from natural disaster risk include Cleveland, El Paso, Phoenix and Tucson, AZ ( all ranked #3).
Forces of nature seem beyond human control, but in fact natural disasters are a product of nature interacting with the built environment. Poor urban design can amplify a simple act of nature into social, economic, political chaos. San Francisco, for instance, is built on landfill liable to shimmy and slide if stressed. Much of the suburbia outside Miami consists of tract homes vulnerable to gale force winds and roadways vulnerable to storm surge flooding. Each year, more and more people are moving near the San Andreas Fault; building their homes within reach of seismic mayhem.
What You Can Do to Prepare
There are many commendable organizations readying for and responding to natural disasters across the country. These organizations, like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, are constantly preaching preparedness. Pack your kits, they say, and ready your emergency plans. This is really another word for sustainability: acting upon immediate resources and empowering households, businesses, and neighborhoods so that cities can meet natural forces with flexibility, patience, and a well-thought out response.
Make Disaster Contingency Plans: Determine where your family or others can meet if communications such as phones are disabled.
Know Your Neighbors: Neighbors make a great support system when disaster strikes, as they may have food, water, shelter, communications equipment and valuable knowledge--including medical experience and first aid techniques--that can help when disaster strikes.
Have an Evacuation Plan: Getting out of your city or region may be your best bet during a disaster. Keep a full tank of gas and well-stocked trunk, but also know what your regional and local public transportation options are, in case your local road is impassible.
Keep supplies: Stock drinking water, blankets, food, a lighter, a battery powered radio/flashlight for at least 72 hours of use.
Track weather and road conditions. While earthquakes lack any warning mechanism, potential hurricanes, floods and tornadoes may be known about hours or days in advance.
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