If I lived at the bottom of a snowy mountain town that was wiped out by an avalanche about every five years I could see the comparison.
Hurricane Damage
The
Congressional Budget Office estimates that 1.2 million Americans live in coastal areas that are at risk of substantial damage from hurricanes. CBO defines substantial damage as at least 5% of average income. Most of these densely populated areas lie less than 10 feet above sea level, according to the National Hurricane Center.
It also estimates that
government costs for hurricane damage are $28 billion a year. Florida contributes 55% of that, and Texas and Louisiana add 13% and 9% respectively.
These average annual damage costs
will increase to $39 billion by 2075. Almost half that gain will come from increased development along U.S. coastlines.