The Conversation

Nearly 40% of the U.S. population lives in a coastal county today. Many of these areas are increasingly exposed to disasters, including hurricanes and high tide flooding that has been worsened by sea level rise.

The Gulf of Mexico region, in particular, is prone to climate change-induced concurrent disasters – when multiple disasters strike at once. For example, when Hurricane Beryl hit Texas in July 2024, 3 million homes and businesses lost power for several days in the middle of searing summer heat – in addition to dealing with heavy rain and flooding.

To further complicate matters, more than one-fifth of the population in Harris County, home to Houston, is considered socially vulnerable, meaning people who are likely more susceptible to harm from extreme weather.