Fierce storms haven’t slowed growth along US coastlines

Rising sea levels and fierce storms have failed to stop relentless population growth along U.S. coasts in recent years, a new Associated Press analysis shows. The latest punishing hurricanes scored bull's-eyes on two of the country's fastest growing regions: coastal Texas around Houston and resort areas of southwest Florida. Nothing seems to curb America's appetite for life near the sea, especially in the warmer climates of the South. Coastal development destroys natural barriers such as islands and wetlands, promotes erosion and flooding, and positions more buildings and people in the path of future destruction, according to researchers and policy advisers who study hurricanes.
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Fewer People Are Using public Transportation. Here’s Why That’s Trouble in the Long Run.

Nearly five months into pandemic lockdown in the United States, people are walking and driving more but using public transportation nearly half as much as they were in January, according to data from Apple. But eschewing public transportation in the long run could have serious longterm health and environmental consequences down the road, says Sara Jensen Carr, assistant professor of architecture at Northeastern.

FEMA insurance chief: Harvey losses could top $11 billion

The head of the National Flood Insurance Program said Wednesday early estimates show Hurricane Harvey will result in about $11 billion in payouts to insured homeowners, mostly in southeast Texas. That would likely put Harvey as the second costliest storm in the history of the federal insurance program, said Roy E. Wright, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's deputy associate administrator for insurance and mitigation. More than $16 billion was paid out after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Fatal stampede for food aid follows drought in rural Morocco

On Sunday, November 19, a stampede occurred in Sidi Boulaalam, Morocco as an unidentified local charity was distributing food aid. The cause of the stampede is still being investigated, but 15 were killed and at least 40 more injured according to reports, mainly women and the elderly. Witnesses told reporters that crowds were larger than usual during this annual aid distribution. As Sidi Boulaalam is a small, rural village, many of the injured were taken to Essaouria, 40 miles away, and Marrakech, over 90 miles away. The King of Morocco has said he would pay medical and funeral costs for the victims of the incident, BBC News reported.