I'd say your outlook is a bit simplistic. There are many, many reasons why people live where they do. Incidents of foul weather are often few and far between. Sometimes it's for economic reasons - available work is of primary importance. Sometimes it's because families need to be close to available healthcare of one type or another. Authorities can't move masses of people away from areas because there might be a hurricane or a flood. Where are they going to put them? I expect others can think of a lot more reasons to support staying put.
G Brown wrote:
I live in the UK. A natural disaster, here, usually involves flooding to the ground floor of your property. Occasionally, should you live close to a river or on a cliff top close to the edge, your house will be totally destroyed by extreme Rainstorms or coastal erosion.
Information about Flood risk areas is available from The Environment Agency website.(UKGOV) Flood is rated as Once in 3, 5, or fifty years. After several recent floods, Insurance companies now refuse to insure certain properties that THEY consider to be at risk.(Known, has no time limit, nor has frequency any bearing. Many homes simply cannot get insurance cover.)
We have no volcanoes now in the UK, though we do occasionally experience tremours as the 'plates' grind due to uplift or lateral shift of our bedrocks. I do, however appreciate that people like volcanic areas for their increased soil nutrients. As agricultural areas they offer a place of work and abundance of crops.
Two areas of the US intrigue me - Why would you live in a known tornado area. Why would you live in a known Hurricane area. Neither bring any benefit to where you live. In fact, the increase in both of these 'natural disasters' within a 'lifetime' would be a major factor to decide not to.
In a country that is quite sparcely populated, there are many areas that 'as an alternative' would be a safer option for those able to move. Yet people persist in rebuilding in the same place. What am I not understanding. What is so important that you put your lives at risk.
In a modern world, many people 'work from home' with no necessary connection to their environment. We have less connection to our birthplace and are much more 'mobile by choice' than our forefathers.
As there seems to be another storm about to hit an area that has not recovered from a previous disaster. I am curious as to how people (or a government) can rationalise non - permanent evacuation. At what point do you think ' you would call it a day' and allow nature to reclaim those parts of the country that it seems intent upon attacking.
I am not being 'defeatist' but as an Environmental Science graduate 'I do not understand'.
We quote King Cannute who showed that 'God Given Royalty' could not command the tide to turn back.
For those affected my hopes are that you keep safe.
I live in the UK. A natural disaster, here, usuall... (
show quote)