Report Links Global Warming to Severe Storms in the Northeast

04/08/2010

Americans living in the Northeast may want to review their home insurance coverage in the wake of a recent study by Clean Air-Cool Planet.

The study referred to data from the National Weather Service and showed that weather conditions have grown in severity over the past 60 years. Storms producing an inch or more of rainfall in one day have increased in frequency during recent years, with the latest storms across Rhode Island and Massachusetts far surpassing this threshold.

The organization suggested that this trend was consistent with theories regarding global warming.

"Since an increase in the frequency of extreme precipitation events is one of the predicted impacts of a world warmed by heat-trapping gases, it seemed important to update this indicator for the Northeast, but to do so in a more rigorous fashion to improve the confidence in our results," the study said.

Homeowners insurance protects against damages related to high wind or falling tress. In order to protect against water damage, consumers must purchase coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program operated by the Federal Emergency Management Association.

NFIP is currently lapsing due to Congress' failure to approve its extension.

ShareThis