Should You Stay Put or Move to Safer Grounds? A Long-Term View on Living in Disaster-Prone Areas

2. A Nation Under Siege by Natural Disasters
The U.S. has experienced an alarming increase in severe weather events due to climate change. Coastal areas grapple with rising sea levels and hurricanes, while inland regions face devastating floods and wildfires. The financial cost? Over $1 trillion in damages over the past decade alone, according to NOAA. Scientists warn that extreme weather patterns will only intensify as global temperatures rise. This not only endangers lives but also threatens critical infrastructure, disrupting everything from supply chains to public health systems. The cascading effects make it clear that disaster readiness must become a national priority.