While the US has experienced a number of powerful storms in the past, it is able to recover from these disasters much more efficiently than poorer countries.
This comes down to a number of factors, including geographical location, housing and infrastructure, and the financial and physical resources available to reconstruct.
Preparation can also make a significant difference to the impact of these storms and how quickly communities are able to rebuild afterwards.
As Florida braced for Milton’s arrival, the state undertook its largest evacuation effort in years, hoping to remove as many people as possible from projected areas of danger.
“The sheer size of this storm means there are so many places on alert, and lots of people trying to move relatively quickly,” Dr Solana says.
This made the task much more challenging than in a less populated area.
Agencies such as the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) are well prepared for these events, she says, and local authorities were able to build safe shelters and provide support and resources for residents.
“But there are all sorts of social problems that come with this,” Dr Solana adds.
Money can also be a significant issue for people trying to keep themselves and their families safe – in the US and beyond.
Some may not have the means to be able to evacuate and follow other safety orders, or might fear the impact evacuating can have on their jobs and livelihoods.
“People have the right to stay and they are worried about a lot of things, such as money, their pets, if they don’t have resources or knowledge, don’t want to go into shelters,” Dr Solana adds.
Trust in the local authorities can also mean people are less likely to follow this advice, while in areas where storms happen more regularly, residents may feel a false sense of security if they have not been previously affected.
For developing countries in particular, Dr Hooker says, early warning systems need to be community-led. Lack of preparation, government resources and support in these countries can lead to devastating consequences.
“If the communities themselves can take ownership, if they can take a lead, they are more likely to take action when they are required to do so,” she adds.
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