Report warns Gulf states face “perpetual disaster recovery” cycle after billion-dollar storms and inadequate resources.

A report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine warns of a cycle of “perpetual disaster recovery” that could threaten states along the Gulf of Mexico. The researchers looked at disasters that occurred between 2020 and 2021, which included seven hurricanes and one winter storm that each caused over $1 billion in damages. These disasters were particularly impactful on communities who lacked resources to absorb the damage or recover quickly. The report was sponsored by the Gulf Research Program, established as part of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill legal settlement.