Facing the Storm: States Struggling with Climate Preparedness
In 2023, weather and climate disasters inflicted nearly $93 billion in damage across the U.S., according to NOAA. Jeremy Porter from the First Street Foundation highlights that no region is immune to these escalating risks. He emphasizes that hazards like wildfire, wind, flood, and extreme heat are increasingly affecting all parts of the country.
While some states have bolstered their defenses, others lag behind in mitigating these threats. The importance of reliable power and water infrastructure cannot be overstated, as noted by Maria Lehman of GHD and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Without these essentials, states face higher costs and diminished economic competitiveness.
Businesses are acutely aware of these vulnerabilities and factor sustainability into their decisions on where to establish operations. This trend is reflected in CNBC’s Infrastructure category for America’s Top States for Business, where sustainability is a significant criterion.
Our analysis incorporated data from First Street, NOAA, and the U.S. Department of Energy, focusing on the risks of flooding, extreme heat, wildfires, and wind over the next three decades. The findings reveal that some states are far from ready to face these challenges.
Maryland: Coastal Perils and Rising Seas
With nearly 12,000 miles of coastline, Maryland faces significant risks from rising sea levels. The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science reports that sea levels in the Chesapeake Bay region are rising at twice the global rate, exacerbating flooding and coastal erosion.
First Street’s data indicates that almost all of Maryland’s 2.2 million properties are at risk of significant damage within the next 30 years. Furthermore, nearly 11% of these properties are particularly vulnerable to flooding.
In response, Maryland has adopted a ten-year Climate Adaptation Resilience Framework to enhance infrastructure sustainability by 2030. Governor Wes Moore has also initiated a review of regional infrastructure following the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.
2024 Infrastructure Score: 188 out of 425 points (Top States Grade: C-)
Climate Extremes Index: 62.44% (National Average: 32.92%)
Properties at risk: 97%
Renewable Energy: 18%
Delaware: A Small State with Big Climate Challenges
Delaware, despite its size, faces daunting climate challenges. A 2022 report predicts that climate change will cost the state over $1 billion annually by 2080. Sea level rise is a major concern, much like in neighboring Maryland.
Delaware has formulated its own Climate Resilience Action Plan, focusing on infrastructure hardening and increasing renewable energy usage. However, the state still has significant gaps in its renewable energy adoption.
- 2024 Infrastructure Score: 230 out of 425 points (Top States Grade: B)
- Climate Extremes Index: 62.44%
- Properties at risk: 100%
Efforts are ongoing to bolster Delaware’s defenses against the escalating threats posed by climate change, emphasizing the need for sustained and comprehensive strategies.
Texas: Extreme Weather and Power Grid Woes
Texas faces a trifecta of extreme weather: scorching heat, freezing temperatures, and powerful hurricanes. Despite these challenges, the state lacks a comprehensive strategy for climate risk management, as noted by the Climate Center at Georgetown University.
The Texas power grid, isolated from larger interconnects, has shown vulnerability to outages. While the state has robust wind energy resources, renewables remain underutilized in this oil-rich region.
Texas’s diverse climate extremes necessitate a more coordinated approach to enhance resilience and ensure reliable power and water supplies. The state’s preparedness remains a critical concern.
2024 Infrastructure Score: 224 out of 425 points (Top States Grade: B-)
Climate Extremes Index: 48.6%
Properties at risk: 99%
Renewable Energy: 34%
New Hampshire: Warming Climate, Waning Snow
The EPA reports that New Hampshire’s temperature has risen by about three degrees over the last century, significantly impacting its environment. The state is seeing a decline in wetlands and tree populations, with increased flooding and reduced snow cover affecting agriculture and recreation.
A 2021 climate assessment by the University of New Hampshire predicts more frequent droughts and shrinking snowpack, which threatens the state’s ecosystems and infrastructure. These changes necessitate urgent action to mitigate the risks.
New Hampshire’s aging infrastructure is particularly vulnerable to these climate impacts, underscoring the need for targeted strategies to enhance resilience against the evolving climate threats.
2024 Infrastructure Score: 145 out of 425 points (Top States Grade: F)
Climate Extremes Index: 62.44%
Properties at risk: 40%
Renewable Energy: 21%
Eli
Delaware’s 100% at-risk properties is alarming. I hope they ramp up their renewable energy efforts soon.
Colton
Can someone explain what the Climate Extremes Index actually measures?
Toby_Stardust
LOL, Texas needs to get its act together before the next big freeze! 😅
nathan
With so many properties at risk, why are some states still lagging behind in climate preparedness?
annabelle_legend
Wow, 12,000 miles of coastline in Maryland! I had no idea it was that much.
Emilia_Zen
New Hampshire’s grade is an F? That’s really concerning. What’s being done to fix this?
Connor
Delaware might be small, but it’s facing some big challenges. Props to them for the Climate Resilience Action Plan!
Michael
Maryland’s sea level rise is shocking. Are there any immediate plans to protect coastal communities?
AdelineUnity
This is terrifying. What can residents do to push for better climate policies?
EllaFlux
Why isn’t Texas doing more to utilize its wind energy resources? 🤔