2017 Atlantic hurricanes

The onset of hurricane season this week could prove disastrous for Caribbean nations that were slammed by storms last year and are struggling to rebuild because of funding issues. Countries need to focus on preparing for storms by tackling poverty, and strengthening social safety nets and emergency response systems rather than just reacting to storms after they strike.

Santiago de los Caballeros is bracing for hurricane season with a new evacuation plan after storms last year killed around 90 people. Authorities are also engaging communities by involving them in evacuation plans and implementing public outreach and education programmes, as well as bolstering schools and hospitals.

An expert review has been launched of the effectiveness of early warnings in the Caribbean during the devastating 2017 hurricane season in order to strengthen resilience against future disasters. The World Meteorological Organization and regional and international partners will make the assessment as part of the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative. Findings are expected to be published in 2018, ahead of the next North Atlantic and Caribbean hurricane season.

Buying out houses after flood-caused damages are considered a cornerstone of disaster recovery by experts. After Hurricane Harvey, Harris County officials have made efforts to buy the most flood-prone homes. However, with worsening flooding, the buyout program cannot keep up with the increasing number of damaged houses.

This edition of the Cred Crunch newsletter focuses on tropical cyclones in North America, with estimations of lives affected and lost and economic damages from the hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria placed in the historic context of all hurricanes since

The rebuilding of Dominica and Barbuda after hurricanes Irma and Maria is an opportunity to build back better by limiting the impacts of future disasters through the built environment. Resilient urban planning on the islands will include building shelters away from flood-prone areas, improving early warning systems and reforestation to prevent landslides.

In May this year, RMS gained certification by the Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology (FCHLPM) for a hurricane certification model to be used in residential insurance rates. It provides an alternative to the national FEMA view on flood prone areas and should increase insurance penetration. Other states have since applied these same standards.

A recent study showed that during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, coastal wetlands prevented more than US$625 million in direct property damages by buffering coasts against its storm surge. The disaster risk reduction benefits of having wetlands are significant and highlight the need for conserving and protecting coastal ecosystems.

In the coming years Texas and Florida will rebuild what was devastated by hurricanes Harvey and Irma, giving rise to the possibility of rebuilding resiliently and preparing communities for the next disaster. Green infrastructure is one way of achieving this resilience, with the ability to manage storm water as well as improve air quality.

An EU-funded project, PRIMAVERA, is producing a new generation high-resolution models that will examine how the oceans and atmosphere will respond to a warming planet over the next 30 years. These models could help scientists predict future storms and assess how they are affected by climate change.