🌎 It’s World Press Freedom Day. Stand with Marketplace and our independent journalism. Donate now

From This Collection

How hurricane recovery makes the economy seem better

Sep 27, 2017
Harvey and Irma likely caused $170 billion in damage. But they'll probably boost GDP in the long run through rebuilding.
People in Beaumont, Texas, wait in line in hopes of buying water after the city's water supply was shut down after Hurricane Harvey passed through on Aug. 31.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

What will be Hurricane Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico's drug industry?

Sep 25, 2017
The island territory manufactures a quarter of all US exported drugs.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sept. 20, after Hurricane Maria slammed into the U.S. territory.
HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images

Disaster rebuilding help is on the way ... eventually

Sep 21, 2017
It can take a long time before government funds reach people in need.
Brian Callihan (L) and Davis Calderon survey a room that was badly damaged by Hurricane Irma on September 18, 2017 in Sugarloaf Key, Florida. 
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

How organizations prepare for natural disasters

Sep 20, 2017
Hurricane Maria has already starting bearing down on Puerto Rico.
Librada is seen at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum refuge in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 19, 2017, prior the arrival of Hurricane Maria. She left voluntarily of her house to take refuge.
HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images

Are we spending enough on disaster preparation?

Sep 15, 2017
We spend a lot of money dealing with the disaster in front of us, but what about preparing for the next one?
Floodwaters from Hurricane Irma recede September 13, 2017 in Middleburg, Florida. Flooding in town from the Black Creek topped the previous high water mark by about seven feet and water entered the second story of many homes. 
Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Hurricanes Irma and Harvey are causing an insurance adjuster shortage

Sep 14, 2017
Some adjusters can make $100,000 in a month because of increased demand.
Jose Orosz walks his dog Karen by a beachfront home destroyed by Hurricane Irma on September 13, 2017 in Vilano Beach, Florida. Nearly 4 million people remained without power more than two days after Irma swept through the state.
Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Some investors bet big against disasters

Sep 13, 2017
Catastrophe bonds spread insurance risk for events like hurricanes.
Two women look over severe damage to a residence following powerful Hurricane Irma on September 12, 2017 in Isamorada, a village encompassing six of the Florida Keys. 
Marc Serota/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Getting power back to millions in Florida won't be easy

Sep 11, 2017
The country has a 100-year-old grid system and more frequent extreme storms, reporter Scott Tong says. Will the state "build back better"?
A couple walks through the flooded streets of Naples, Florida, today. Hurricane Irma made another landfall near Naples yesterday after inundating the Florida Keys. Electricity was out in much of the region.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Jack Wheeler and his wife, Tami Wheeler, watch as a FEMA housing inspector measures their flooded home in 2008 in Oakville, Iowa.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Houston has to decide whether to rethink its development strategy

Sep 8, 2017
Wes Highfield witnessed last week’s flood in real time from his home in Friendswood, Texas, about 20 miles south of downtown Houston. “I do this kind of research for a living,” said Highfield, who teaches about flood loss and mitigation strategy at Texas A&M, Galveston. “This is the first time I’ve watched it unfold before […]
Chris Ginter wades through deep floodwaters on September 6, 2017 in Houston, Texas. 
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images