02 Dec 2018

In 2012 Hurricane Sandy slammed into the eastern seaboard of the United States, inflicting

damage in 24 states. If not for coastal wetlands, the destruction would have been worse. A

recent study found that coastal wetlands in the Northeast United States (U.S.) prevented $625

million (USD) in direct flood damages during Hurricane Sandy, reducing damages by more

than 22% in half of the impacted areas and by as much as 30% elsewhere. The intensity,

frequency, and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes have increased since the early 1980s,

making the protection of the 50% of U.S. wetlands that remain an imperative.

Photo credits. Steven Lutz