Extreme Weather

Beach Road Area 1953 Hurricane.jpg

Two men on Beach Road after the hurricane of 1953. 

Scientists project that future climate change will make extreme weather events more common and more severe. There has been an increase in the number, intensity, and duration of strong hurricanes (Category 4 and 5) in the North Atlantic Ocean since the early 1980s, and a warming climate is likely to bring more intense and frequent hurricanes, nor’easters, and flooding.

Hurricanes are among the most costly extreme weather events, with severe storms causing billions of dollars in economic losses. Even hurricanes that don't make landfall can influence waves, currents, and storm tides, which cause property damage, flooding, and coastal erosion.