Hazard mitigation successes in the state of North Carolina.

Includes references

North Carolina is vulnerable to natural disasters. In one 12-month period alone, the state suffered damages from five Presidentially declared natural events. Hurricane Opal, which hit in 1995, was followed by two ice storms in January 1996. Shortly thereafter, Hurricanes Bertha and Fran struck the coast in July and September, respectively, causing tens of millions of dollars in damages and economic losses. Of North Carolina's 100 counties, 91 were declared eligible for federal disaster assistance for one or more of these events. Two fundamental factors suggest that North Carolina will continue to experience costly damaging disasters into the next millennium: First, natural hazards will continue to occur. Historically, North Carolina has experienced virtually every type of natural hazard - hurricanes, storm surges, flash floods, riverine floods, nor'easters, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, and winter storms. Second, the areas most susceptible to hurricanes and flooding - the coastal communities - are experiencing rapid growth and development. This trend is likely to accelerate as these communities become increasingly attractive to a growing market of retirees