It is easy to think that Mother Nature is out to get you if you live in one of these 10 most dangerous states for natural disasters.
Apparently, there are more perilous places for living than 10 most dangerous states for drivers. The United States have, unfortunately, a great potential for natural disasters. Some of these potential threats are possibly in the End of the World category, like the Yellowstone super volcano. If the eruption happens, the entire planet would be plunged into nuclear winter. It is scary to think that the extinction of humankind could be just one volcano blast away. The San Andreas Fault line is another neuralgic point, with possible catastrophic consequences. Scientist have calculated that there is between 21% and 59% chance that a major earthquake will hit the area in the next 30 years. Although the earthquake itself wouldn’t be quite like the recent Hollywood blockbuster portraited it, the aftermath would be disastrous, with Southern California cut off from the rest of the country for months.
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But even without reaching for possible natural catastrophes that might or might not happen, the real ones are terrifying enough. Katrina and Sandy are the names that still invoke fear and sadness in the areas affected by them. 10 years since the storm passed over it, New Orleans is still suffering. The scars Katrina left in its wake are still visible in some parts of the city.
Most dangerous states for natural disasters can’t do much except prepare. Although earthquakes and hurricanes can’t be stopped, their effects can be greatly reduced if proper measures are taken. Another lesson Katrina taught us is that they can also be exuberated, if emergency plans fail.
As climate continue to change and freak weather occurrences become the norm, instead of the exception, and natural catastrophes seem more inevitable than ever. These most dangerous states for natural disasters will be in peril on countless occasions in the future. Still, the question remains, how many of these disasters are natural and how many are caused by human disregard of our planet?
10. Missouri
Major disasters since 1953: 55
Flooding, snow storms and tornadoes are the biggest natural threats in Missouri.
9. Kentucky
Major disasters since 1953: 56
Landslides, floods and tornadoes are major natural threats in Kentucky. The occasional hurricane, like the one in 2008, can also cause severe damage.
8. Arkansas
Major disasters since 1953: 58
Arkansas is threatened by huge amounts of rain that often cause flooding and severe snow and ice storms. In 2008, Hurricane Gustav managed to cause damage all over the state.
7. Alabama
Major disasters since 1953: 58
Alabama’s position on the Gulf Coast guarantees frequent hurricanes. As if that wasn’t enough, Alabama was hit by a major tornado in 2011 that killed 250 people.
6. Louisiana
Major disasters since 1953: 60
Katrina is listed among the greatest natural disasters in human kind’s history. However, Katrina was a category 3 hurricane. In 1969, Louisiana was hit by Hurricane Camille, a category 5 storm.
5. Florida
Major disasters since 1953: 67
Number 5 on our list of 10 most dangerous states for natural disasters is Florida. Among many devastating storms that caused havoc across the state, the worst was Hurricane Andrew in 1992, with winds reaching a speed of 200 miles per hour.
4. New York
Major disasters since 1953: 68
Not much in terms of rough weather has missed New York. Sandy was the latest addition to the disastrous storms that ravaged this state.
3. Oklahoma
Major disasters since 1953: 75
Oklahoma has an average of 55 tornadoes per year. Fortunately, not all of them are like the ones in 1999 that reached wind speeds of 300 miles per hour. 36 people died during one of the worst tornado outbreaks in history. Throw in an occasional wildfire and you get the picture why Oklahoma is placed so high on our list.
2. California
Major disasters since 1953: 79
The latest in the line of earthquakes that caused mayhem in California happened in 1994 and killed 61 people. Wildfires, landslides and tsunamis are also an ever-present danger in the Golden State.
1. Texas
Major disasters since 1953:
Texas has pulled a double whammy: it is located on the Gulf Coast and it is a part of the Tornado Alley. With more than 150 tornados per year and frequent tropical storms, Texas is number one on our list of 10 most dangerous states for natural disasters.
