"Undermining my electoral viability since 2001."

Running from Rita

It's natural given the magnitude of the last hurricane that people will freak the fuck out over the next, especially as it's by all accounts a more powerful storm. However, we're not going to see a replay of NOLA because not many cities are as susceptible (or, in technical terms, "below sea level") to catistrophic destruction from a gulf storm. Hell, the Carribean get shammered several times a year and life goes on.

On the other hand, as we continue to watch the slow slide of climate change, this might become a more regular thing. Rising ocean temperatures mean more energy to kick up the wind. It's basic thermodynamics. Though the American imagination will likely fixate on the potential for a "Superstorm" of some kind, what's more likely is a rising average strength, a slow grind of property damage. The upshot is that this may clear lowlying areas in advance of rising ocean tides.

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