New Orleans' minority homeowners at greater risk of flooding
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Virtually all New Orleans metro homeowners are at "major risk" from heat- and wind-related natural disasters, a Zillow analysis finds.
Why it matters: That seems ... uh, pretty bad.
Between the lines: Most homeowners are also at "major risk" for flooding-related disasters, too, though that's where the findings begin to reflect a reality that minority homeowners are particularly vulnerable to climate change.
- More than 90% of Black and Asian homeowners in the New Orleans metro are at "major risk" for flooding, compared to 85.8% of Hispanic and 75.9% of white homeowners, the data show.
The big picture: The disparities loom larger within the national data, which indicate that 81% of Black homeowners, 77% of Hispanic homeowners and 65% of Asian homeowners are at risk of extreme heat, compared to 52% of white homeowners.
- Meanwhile, 60% of Black homeowners, 43% of Hispanic homeowners and 33% of Asian homeowners are vulnerable to extreme wind, compared to 32% of white homeowners.
- Some 32% of Asian homeowners and 21% of Hispanic homeowners are vulnerable to poor air quality, compared to 11% of white homeowners and 9% of Black homeowners.
How it works: Zillow's analysis is based in part on climate risk data for homes listed for sale on the platform, using risk modeling techniques from First Street.
- It doesn't include renters, who also face various climate risks.