Author Archive | Wesley Shaw

New York Struggles to Recover Housing

“We had prepared for an emergency. The emergency we had prepared for was an act of terrorism, not this.” Water is incredibly destructive. “Future Is in Limbo for the Damaged Buildings Close to the Water’s Edge“

Insurers Rethink Business After Sandy

How does climate change play into their thinking? Of course, there is no evidence climate change caused Hurricane Sandy. But that won’t calm the insurance industry. As once executive explained , it doesn’t matter whether insurers believe in man-made climate change. The number of weather-related events nearly quintupled in North America over the past three […]

Most Expensive Hurricanes of All Time

While we tally up the horrific costs of Sandy, here’s a list of the current leaders (with some good graphics): TopTen most damaging U.S. hurricanes of all time.

Hurricane Sandy Update

Like everybody else, I’m watching the Sesame Street hurricane show with Al Roker, and watching Twitter chatter on Hurricane Sandy (which includes a number of obviously bogus (but entertaining photos). Will be posting the best I can find over on our twitter feed. See you there. And best of luck to the East Coast.

Hurricane-Threatened Community Not Giving Up

“People want to talk about how things are deteriorating here, but what I am interested in is restoration. Why talk about how bad it is? We can do something about it.” Message 1: Getting funding to elevate structures hard Message 2: It’s possible Message 3: It works Inspiring messages from the edge.

Connecticut Officially Discourages Shore Armoring but is Required to Offer Alternatives

Connecticut’s new coastal management law officially discourages the use of sea walls and other structural answers to erosion, but with an interesting twist: if the state or local government denies a permit, they have to propose an alternative. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out (today is its first day). Read the […]

New Funding Opportunity: Community Resilience Innovation Challenge

Just learned about FEMA’s Community Resilience Innovation Challenge. The quick details (from the program website): 2012 CHALLENGE FUNDING Selected projects will be funded up to a maximum of $35,000. No financial match is required. Funds will be paid directly to the selected project agency, institution, business entity, association, organization, or group. Funds will be paid […]

Where do Coastal Smart Growth and Hazard Resilience Meet?

Hot off the press (yes, I’m aging myself with that phrase): Achieving Hazard-Resilient Coastal & Waterfront Smart Growth. What is it? Last summer, NOAA, EPA and a few state Sea Grant programs assembled a mess of experts on smart growth and a mess of experts on natural hazards and got the two to talk about […]