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How COVID-19 compounds economic damage from Hurricane Laura

And government response often falls short of meeting the needs of those hit by storms.
A picture taken on Aug. 27, 2020 shows a destroyed building on a beach as the eye wall of hurricane Laura passes over in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Houston’s refineries and plants are vulnerable to hurricanes. Will a $32 billion plan save them from flooding?

Nov 27, 2018
When hurricanes hit Texas, the whole country feels it. Now, there’s a plan to lessen the blow.
A view of the Houston Ship Channel.
Travis Bubenik for Marketplace

How do hurricanes affect the jobs picture?

Nov 2, 2018
The number of people without jobs in the United States is expected to remain largely unchanged when the Labor Department reports the official unemployment rate Friday. One thing that could affect those numbers: a pair of hurricanes, Florence and Michael, that hit the Eastern Seaboard back to back. 
In this NOAA satellite handout image, shows Hurricane Florence it just makes landfall off the coast of the U.S. in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept.13, 2018.
NOAA via Getty Images

Puerto Rico seeks greater business role in hurricane planning

Jul 11, 2018
Residents of Puerto Rico are expressing relief that Hurricane Beryl has weakened as it sweeps over the island. But Puerto Rico is still recovering from last year’s hurricanes as more crop up in the Caribbean. One suggestion for how the island should prepare and react to natural disasters? Incorporate the private sector. Click the audio player […]

The business of disaster: How does the U.S. spend relief money?

Dec 1, 2017
A guide to when the Federal Emergency Management Agency get involved and the rules governing how its funds are spent.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials help people with questions at the George R. Brown Convention Center which was a shelter for evacuees from Hurricane Harvey, in Houston on September 2, 2017.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

Puerto Ricans arrive in Florida to find affordable housing is scarce

Nov 28, 2017
More than 170,000 people have evacuated Puerto Rico for Florida and their immediate need, affordable housing, is hard to come by.
Jonathan Gonzalez waits with his children outside the Hurricane Maria Relief Center in Orlando, Florida.
Renata Sago/Marketplace

Nervous Americans are shelling out for travel insurance

Nov 13, 2017
Travelers, wary of potential terrorism and natural disasters, are increasingly protecting themselves in advance.
Americans spent almost $3 billion on insurance in 2016, up 19 percent from two years earlier, the US Travel Insurance Association says. Above, travelers make their way to flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

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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

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

Median home prices are up in areas with the biggest risk of natural disaster

Sep 21, 2017
But people may be taking some risks more seriously.
Claude Scee salvages what he can from his father-in-laws home that was destroyed by hurricane Irma on September 17, 2017 in Summerland Key, Florida. 
Joe Raedle/Getty Images