Natural Disasters

According to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (as detailed in the Alaska Climate Impact Assessment), the costs of climate-related disasters has increased.

Severe Weather

• Climate change can increase storm frequency and intensity, including wind, thunderstorms, lightning, and precipitation. 

• As storms intensify, shorelines are continually worn away by waves, currents, winds, and flooding.

  

  Kawerak Transportation Program - Shishmaref.

  
  
• Sea ice usually buffers shorelines from storms, but as sea ice melts, coasts are no longer protected.

Flooding

• Changes in rainfall and runoff, snowmelt, lake levels, ground water tables, and glaciers.
  

Ice Override

• Floating sea ice is pushed ashore by winds.
• Potential to move sea ice inland and destroy infrastructure.
  

Permafrost Melt

• Increased temperatures melt permafrost and affect transportation and infrastructure, as roads collapse, railroad tracks and buildings are shifted.
  

Wildland Fire

• Increased temperature and drought can increase wildfires.
  

Between 1978 and 2007, Alaska has declared over 226 disasters, costing over $378 million (Alaska Climate Assessment Commission, 113).

• Floods, storms, avalanches, and landslides: over $250 million
• Wildland fire: over $42 million
• Earthquakes: $30 million
• Freezing Cold/Wind: over $22
  

Until we work together to fight the climate crisis, it is likely that the costs of these disasters will continue to increase.