Refraining the U.S. hurricane problem

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Abstract
In all, 1995 was the most active Atlantic hurricane season in 62 years. Six hurricanes came near or crossed the U.S. coastline, briefly focusing public attention on the impacts of hurricanes. Attention to the policy implications of hurricane impacts in the form of systematic policy analyses is sorely needed. The active season of 1995 followed several decades of depressed hurricane frequencies. The long period of relatively few storms has led to increased complacency about hurricane impacts. As recent experiences with Hurricanes Andrew (1992) and Hugo (1989) have shown, any rise in hurricane frequencies likely will impact a relatively unprepared, complacent public. This article focuses on the framing of policy problems, critiques the conventional framing of the U.S. hurricane problem, and suggests an alternative framing. A better understanding of the U.S. hurricane problem can aid public and private policymakers who face difficult decisions with limited resources. It is hoped that this article will stimulate constructive debate about how we frame the problem of hurricanes and that this debate will prove useful in defining problems associated with extreme events in other contexts in and beyond the United States.