Lauren Sommer

Disaster and insurance costs are rising. The middle class is struggling to hang on Middle-class families are struggling to afford insurance in southwest Florida. Realtors say a wave of foreclosures could be coming.

In Florida, insurance costs are squeezing out the middle class and communities are worried it could lead to a wave of home foreclosures 4/ - from @michaelcopley1.bsky.social www.npr.org/2025/11/17/n...

Why home insurance is unaffordable, even in places without wildfires or hurricanes Some of the country's highest home insurance prices are in the central U.S., a region generally considered to be protected from climate-driven disasters such as wildfires and hurricanes.

The insurance crisis is even hitting communities that don't experience wildfires or hurricanes. Rising premiums are becoming a growing share of housing costs 3/- from @rhersher.bsky.social www.npr.org/2025/11/13/n...

It's harder to get home insurance. That's changing communities across the U.S. Home insurance is getting less affordable, and less available, as insurers raise prices and pull back from areas with extreme weather. That's forcing families across the country to make tough choices.

We looked at three communities across the U.S. who are struggling with insurance costs and cancellations as climate-driven disasters get worse. The effects are rippling through communities 2/ - with @rhersher.bsky.social @michaelcopley1.bsky.social www.npr.org/2025/11/12/n...

This community is getting a disaster makeover. Insurance bills are still rising Insurance companies are dropping customers as the cost of disasters goes up. Some communities in California are working to reduce their risk, but so far, insurance companies often aren't factoring tha...

California communities are reducing their wildfire risk, but often, insurance companies don't take those larger efforts into account. A new effort is trying to change that. My story, part of a @npr.org series on insurance and climate change 1/ www.npr.org/2025/11/13/n...

This community is getting a disaster makeover. Insurance bills are still rising Insurance companies are dropping customers as the cost of disasters goes up. Some communities in California are working to reduce their risk, but so far, insurance companies often aren't factoring that in.

Insurance companies are dropping customers as the cost of disasters goes up. Some communities in California are working to reduce their risk, but so far, insurance companies often aren't factoring that in.

Communities are reducing wildfire risk. Will their insurance bills go down? Insurance companies are dropping customers as the cost of disasters goes up. Some communities in California are working to reduce their risk, but so far, insurance companies often aren't factoring that in.

Insurance companies are dropping customers as the cost of disasters goes up. Some communities in California are working to reduce their risk, but so far, insurance companies often aren't factoring that in. n.pr/43DY1bj

Climate negotiations have started. Here's how far countries need to go Nations have begun climate negotiations at the COP30 summit in Brazil. Studies show the world is not on track to avoid the most damaging impacts of climate change.

Nations have begun climate negotiations at the COP30 summit in Brazil. Studies show the world is not on track to avoid the most damaging impacts of climate change. n.pr/3XsXgy9

Why scientists are using corals from other countries to help save Florida's reefs The past three summers have been the worst on record for Florida's coral reefs. To try to restore them, scientists are breeding corals that can handle heat better, using coral from other countries.

The past three summers have been the worst on record for Florida's coral reefs. To try to restore them, scientists are breeding corals that can handle heat better, using coral from other countries. By @lsommer.bsky.social

New Zealand's bold plan to save endangered animals: kill millions of invasive animals Many of New Zealand's unique birds are heading toward extinction. So the country is taking on an ambitious conservation project: eradicating the invasive species that prey on them.

Many of New Zealand's unique birds are heading toward extinction. So the country is taking on an ambitious conservation project: eradicating the invasive species that prey on them.

How homeowners are saving on insurance by upgrading their houses against disasters Home insurance is getting pricier as hurricanes and wildfires get worse. States are trying new incentives, encouraging homeowners to retrofit homes against disasters to get an insurance discount.

With home insurance getting pricier and millions of houses unprepared for disasters, states are starting incentive programs. Strengthen your house, get an insurance discount. Alabama has led the way, but programs in other states, like CA, aren't as popular. Here's why: www.npr.org/2025/06/11/n...

Need help switching appliances from gas to electric? A 'coach' can help Government incentives for climate-friendly upgrades are confusing to navigate, and it can be hard to find businesses that sell them. So a new industry is emerging to help: the decarbonization coach.

Do you need a climate or decarbonization coach? Enough people are having trouble making climate-friendly purchases that companies, nonprofits and agencies are stepping in to help. Here's my @npr.org story: www.npr.org/2025/05/07/n...

Rural communities were promised millions in disaster funds. Trump is ending it Rural communities are scrambling after the Trump administration canceled billions in disaster grants. Many were counting on the funds for infrastructure fixes meant to withstand future disasters.

Communities around the country were awarded billions in FEMA grants and have spent years planning infrastructure projects to prepare for future disasters. Now, the Trump Administration has cancelled the grants. Rural communities have few other options. On @npr.org today
www.npr.org/2025/05/01/n...

Doggles and dog booties: Anchorage residents prep pets for volcanic explosion Mount Spurr, which scientists say is likely to erupt in the coming weeks or months, is about 80 miles west of Anchorage. But ash clouds could reach the state's biggest city.

Doggles! www.npr.org/2025/04/10/n...

California just released new maps on where homes have to be built with wildfire-resistant materials. But the majority of homes destroyed in the Eaton fire won’t have to use those building codes www.npr.org/2025/03/25/n...

Why some Los Angeles homes are being built to resist wildfires — and some aren't California is one of the few states with building codes for wildfire protection, because using fire-resistant materials helps homes survive. Now, more than 500 additional homeowners rebuilding after L...

After the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, some homeowners are being required to rebuild with wildfire building codes. But the majority are not. Here's why - on @npr today www.npr.org/2025/03/25/n...

Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared President Trump says he's thinking of getting rid of the country's disaster response agency, FEMA. States say they can't replicate what FEMA does on their own.

Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem said she's going to eliminate FEMA at a Trump cabinet meeting today. Here's what states say is at stake for them in disasters. www.npr.org/2025/03/21/n...

Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared President Trump says he's thinking of getting rid of the country's disaster response agency, FEMA. States say they can't replicate what FEMA does on their own.

President Trump says he's thinking of getting rid of the country's disaster response agency, FEMA. States say they can't replicate what FEMA does on their own.

Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared President Trump says he's thinking of getting rid of the country's disaster response agency, FEMA. States say they can't replicate what FEMA does on their own.

The Trump administration is pushing states to take over disaster response and preparation. Many say it wouldn't be possible without FEMA. www.npr.org/2025/03/21/n...

Trump administration layoffs hit NOAA, agency that forecasts weather, hurricanes The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration houses key groups like the National Weather Service. Experts warn the consequences of employee cuts could be drastic.

The NOAA firings were done so quickly, staff that manages the central weather forecasting models were scrambling to transfer access to employees who would still remain. On @npr.org www.npr.org/2025/02/27/n...

NOAA employees, both current and those affected by the firings, please feel free to get in touch. I'm a climate reporter at NPR who has covered NOAA a long time. I'm on Signal at sommer.55

Hi @wolfpackwx.bsky.social - I'm a reporter at NPR. If you're up for chatting, I'm at sommer.55 on signal.

HI @rissarwx.bsky.social - I'm a reporter at NPR, if you're up for connecting. I'm on signal at sommer.55 or you can DM me.

The road to rebuilding after Helene Podcast Episode · The Broadside · 02/27/2025 · 19m

Great episode from @wunc.org about rebuilding after Hurricane Helene. A lot of roads need repair, but how do you design them to withstand the future climate? North Carolina is working on that, something not many communities do after a disaster. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

Why clearing the brush around Los Angeles won't reduce the wildfire danger After thousands of homes were destroyed, many are looking for ways to make Los Angeles safer from wildfires. But clearing dense shrubs on the hillsides could actually make the fire danger worse.

WATCH, READ, LISTEN: @npr.org explained the importance of California’s native chaparral brush and how clearing it will not reduce the risk of wildfires.

This rare, intelligent species of crow is taking flight in Hawaii again Hawaiian crows are extinct in the wild and are found nowhere else on Earth. Now, a small group, safeguarded in captivity, has been released in the forests of Maui.

As animals get close to extinction, some are brought into captivity as a last resort. It's not easy to find a way to release them again, but in Hawaii, a rare crow is making its way back to the wild again. On @npr.org www.npr.org/2025/02/18/n...

I am collecting instances of California-based wildfire mitigation projects delayed because of layoffs at US Forest Service, Park Service, BLM. Pls reach out to me if you have tales of certain projects to share: d venton at kqed dot org. Signal: DVenton.09

NPR Exclusive: FEMA pulls back on work to help homes survive hurricanes and floods To help homes survive more intense disasters, FEMA has been developing recommendations for stronger building codes. The Trump Administration has pulled them back.

To help homes survive more intense disasters, FEMA has been developing recommendations for stronger building codes. The Trump Administration has pulled them back.

Exclusive: Trump administration drops work on stronger building codes for disasters To help homes survive more intense disasters, FEMA has been developing recommendations for stronger building codes. The Trump Administration has pulled them back.

SCOOP: For 25 years, FEMA has helped develop building codes that help homes survive floods and hurricanes. Now, FEMA is pulling back on that work, taking its name off recommendations its experts have written. On @npr.org www.npr.org/2025/02/20/n...

Hey NOAA, FEMA and federal scientists and staff — I’m a climate reporter at NPR. To share info anonymously, you can reach me on Signal at sommer.55

Hey NOAA, FEMA and federal scientists and staff — I’m a climate reporter at NPR. To share info anonymously, you can reach me on Signal at sommer.55