Scientists are warning that the United States is facing an unprecedented threat from “hurricane clusters”—multiple storms forming in close succession. A new study found that the probability of such events in the North Atlantic has increased more than tenfold over the past 46 years, driven by global warming and changes in large-scale atmospheric circulation.
Impacts on Coastal Regions
This phenomenon increases the risk of back-to-back storms striking the U.S. East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The result could be:
- Delayed rescue and recovery efforts
- Compounded damage to infrastructure and public utilities
- Heavier long-term economic and social impacts on vulnerable communities
Looking Ahead
Experts project that this trend will continue into the mid-21st century, serving as a stark warning for the U.S. and other Atlantic-bordering regions to adapt disaster preparedness strategies to meet more complex and intense challenges ahead.
Source: New Atlas
