I’d argue that the answer to the question – “Are people moving to Charlottesville due to climate change?” is — I think it’s a factor that more and more of my buyer clients are articulating as a contributing factor when considering where to move. Have a look at the Census data; what do you think?
From floods to droughts to fires to earthquakes, and fires, the Central Virginia region is more protected than many other areas of the United States, and arguably the world.
Recently someone asked on Charlottesville reddit about natural disasters in the Charlottesville area. My answer:
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We have occasional forest fires (see: Skyline Drive a few years ago)
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Derecho (~10 years ago)
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Earthquakes rarely – see: 2010
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Tornados – I think one in Greene a few years ago
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Flooding (Camille many years ago, and more recently, we seem to have some sort of flooding/flash flooding every few years)
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Snow. Occasionally we get a snow event. But not really. (Search for snowmageddon or snowpocalpse + Charlottesville in your favorite search engine)
Overall, we are more climate protected than many places in the country ….
(side note: and people are recognizing this, and choosing to consider moving here. Charlottesville + Albemarle + surrounding localities need to see this as an opportunity and begin building sufficient and resilient infrastructure suited for the current and future. related: The world’s infrastructure was built for a climate that no longer exists.
Home insurers cut natural disasters from policies as climate risks grow
Major insurers say they will cut out damage caused by hurricanes, wind and hail from policies underwriting property along coastlines and in wildfire country, according to a voluntary survey conducted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, a group of state officials who regulate rates and policy forms.