Hurricanes: Their Nature and Impacts on Society - Climate Science ...

144 HURRICANES: THEIR NATURE AND IMPACf ON SOCIETY
Figure 6.1 Design wind speed in mph (with m/s in parentheses) for the design loads
for buildings <strong>and</strong> other structures along the Atlantic <strong>and</strong> Gulf of Mexico coasts
(information provided by the American Society of Civil Engineers; figure provided by
Leighton Cochran)
acquisition of l<strong>and</strong> at risk. Interestingly, the l<strong>and</strong> most at risk to hurricanes -
that closest to the ocean -is also generally the most valuable from a st<strong>and</strong>point
of social desirability. Consequently, community efforts to buy l<strong>and</strong> at
risk can be thwarted by the high cost of beachfront property in dem<strong>and</strong> by
resorts <strong>and</strong> affiuent individuals. Strategies of managing public <strong>and</strong> private
l<strong>and</strong> use are an important part of long-term efforts to reduce a community's
vulnerability to hurricane impacts. The topic of l<strong>and</strong> use is vast <strong>and</strong> much
more complex than this simplification can present. For further reading, see
Diamond <strong>and</strong> Noonan (1996) <strong>and</strong> the sources cited in Achter <strong>and</strong> McGowan
(1984).
6.2.3 Preparing for recovery
Preparing for recovery involves a wide range of activities in anticipation of
hurricane impacts. Two important components of recovery preparation over
the long term are community planning <strong>and</strong> insurance.