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

The agency investigating toxic chemical leaks could be axed by budget cuts

Sep 13, 2017
The Chemical Safety Board is running at full tilt in the wake of hurricane damage this month. It’s a small federal agency that investigates toxic leaks from petrochemical plants, like the Arkema plant explosion in Texas, after Hurricane Harvey. But it’s on the president’s list of agencies to ax to make budget cuts.  Click 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 […]

When disaster strikes, FEMA gets the call. So does Google

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 […]
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

Three ways to optimize tech for an emergency

Sep 8, 2017
During a disaster, digital records, messaging, even social media are all pretty handy.
A woman looks at a smart phone as it charges while staying with other flood victims at a shelter in the George R. Brown Convention Center during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey on August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/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

For public good, not for profit.

Is tying Harvey disaster relief to the debt ceiling opportunistic?

Linking the two could make raising the debt limit more palatable to Congress, but it puts off a painful conversation about spending cuts.
 Rain from Hurricane Harvey falls on a Texas and U.S. flag on Aug. 26, 2017, in Texas City, Texas.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images

First Harvey aid package for immediate needs, not long-term recovery

Sep 5, 2017
Congress is expected to vote tomorrow on a $7.8 billion package for aid to those hit by Hurricane Harvey. It’s a first round of funding that almost entirely goes to shoring up FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund. That money helps reimburse local search and rescue efforts, and clean up and re-open some public services like schools […]

Harvey aftermath: Chemical plants still down

Sep 5, 2017
Chemicals plants that are needed to make many of the things that we use every day are still offline. It could get expensive. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.