The Lasting Impact of Extreme Weather in the U.S.

New research takes advanced look into billion-dollar disasters

Tornadoes. Hurricanes. Blizzards. Floods. Drought. Earthquakes. Wildfires. The United States is particularly prone to severe weather because of its diverse climate. In 2015 the U.S. was second in the world in the number of natural disasters. More recently, people in West Virginia are picking up the pieces after deadly flash flooding last month.

Severe weather clearly has an impact on victims, but how much and for how long? That is the focus of new research by Mona Ahmadiani and Susanna Ferreira of the University of Georgia. Their paper “Well-being Effects of Extreme Weather Events in the U.S.” is featured at the 2016 Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) Annual Meeting in Boston, July 31 – August 2.

“The financial losses due to property damage and crop damage vary along with where you live and worrying about if you will be impacted by the next disaster,” Ahmadiani said. “We look at levels of damage and the impact each type of disaster has on the well-being individuals.”

So which types of disaster have the biggest impact on people and the economy? And for how long? This first-of-its-kind study takes an in-depth look at something impacting much of the country on an annual basis.

This presentation is Tuesday, August 2, at 1:00 PM at the Marriott Copley Place, in the Simmons Room on the third floor. If you are interested in setting up an interview before or during the meeting, please contact Jay Saunders in the AAEA Business Office.

Contact: Allison Scheetz
Senior Communications Manager
(414) 918-3190
Email: ascheetz@aaea.org