Stories Tagged as
Environment
Irma won’t dampen Florida's tourism industry long term
by
Reema Khrais
Sep 12, 2017
Florida’s tourism business is worth more than $100 billion, and Hurricane Irma has put a dent in it. Even as some major theme parks re-open and airlines resume flights this week, some destinations face long roads to recovery, and workers will suffer from lost wages and tips. Click the audio player above to hear the […]
Trying to put a dollar figure on a disaster
Sep 11, 2017
There are lots of numbers being talked about today as government officials and reporters attempt to convey the levels of damage from Hurricane Irma to people who can’t see it with their own eyes. Here is just a sampling: 250,000 evacuees have crossed into Alabama and more than 6.5 million homes and businesses in Florida […]
Mosquitoes drawn by lingering hurricane waters could boost West Nile cases
Sep 11, 2017
After a hurricane, mosquitoes, drawn to standing water, can be a big problem. The accelerated spread of Zika isn’t likely, but cases of West Nile could spike. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.
When disaster strikes, FEMA gets the call. So does Google
by
Annie Baxter
Sep 8, 2017
Corporations have donated $165 million to relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said. And some also have provided logistical support and supplies to government and non-profit organizations. Now, as Hurricane Irma bears down on Florida, a broad assortment of corporate partners are again stepping in. Here’s how public-private […]
Cost of Irma ranges from $20 billion to $200 billion
by
Scott Tong
Sep 8, 2017
As Florida faces the uncertainty of Hurricane Irma’s path, it is clear that losses will be in the tens of billions of dollars. Most of the damage is expected to be directly storm related, meaning largely from the strong, over 100 mph winds, rather than from floodwaters like Harvey. The costs of Irma are not […]
Gas in Florida not getting to the pumps fast enough for Irma exodus
Sep 8, 2017
Floridians face long gas lines as they scramble to get of out town ahead of Hurricane Irma. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.
Houston has to decide whether to rethink its development strategy
by
Andy Uhler
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 […]
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What budget cuts would mean for predicting storms like Irma
by
Molly Wood
and Stephanie Hughes
Sep 8, 2017
High-resolution satellite images are critical tools for meteorologists, but proposed cuts to the weather service could put them at risk.
Citrus growers cower as Irma advances on Florida coast
by
Annie Baxter
Sep 7, 2017
With Hurricane Irma on the way, farmers from Florida on up the coast to the Carolinas are on alert. More cotton crops are threatened, and the price of orange juice futures is already up. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.
Western wildfire season is getting longer and costlier
Sep 7, 2017
The costs are mounting for battling dozens of wildfires now burning in the Western United States, including some threatening popular national parks. Specifically, Glacier National Park in Montana and Yosemite National Park in California. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.