Hurricanes: A Reference Handbook (Contemporary World Issues S.)

From kitter storms to their implications for the insurance premiums of U.S. residents, this much-awaited update of the first edition explores the ecological, social, and economic consequences of hurricanes and their effects on both coastal and inland areas. Twenty-six people dead, USD26.5 billion worth of damage, and eight insurance companies left bankrupt-such was the impact of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the most costly storm in U.S. history. How can coastal residents best prepare for the threat posed by such awesome phenomena? What is the likely impact of global climate change on the frequency and fury of hurricane activity? In September 1776 the so-called “Hurricane of Independence” hit Canada and the northeastern United States, leading to 4,170 deaths. In 1900 around 8,000 perished in the Galveston Hurricane and the resulting tidal surge. Coastal defenses, early warning systems, and evacuation procedures have improved enormously. However, hurricanes still pose a potentially devastating threat to life and property, especially in coastal regions of the United States and the Caribbean. What causes these extreme storms? How can we best defend ourselves? Hurricanes: A Reference Handbook explores the historical, ecological, economic, and social dimensions of hurricanes in North America. Synthesizing literature from a wide range of authoritative sources, this book is an invaluable guide to hurricanes and their impact and is essential reading for students, scientists, mariners, and coastal residents alike.