Even this Diamond-encrusted town (sort of) is not exempt from Climate change Disaster

Now, here’s a town that’s a rich as all heck. Yes, the median home price in Atherton, Calif., is over $8.3 million, the country’s highest. And the median income is well over $1 million per person.

But that super-wealth is not as safe as Fort Knox. Of the town’s 2,500-or-so homes, 283, or 10.9%, are in flood zones. 

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That’s according to data provider First Street, which rates environmental risk of locations across the U.S. and beyond. In Atherton’s case, the most substantial risk is in low-lying areas where major storms can trigger flooding.

Why? Because the eastern border of Atherton is less than a mile from San Francisco Bay. A new estimate of the cost of flooding from the bay is $70 billion by 2100, some of which could be absorbed by the superrich suburb. 

One of the hardest lessons learned when Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina was how inadequate FEMA flood maps are. The Washington Post compared FEMA depictions to the storm’s actual damage and the FEMA flood data covered an area much smaller than those damaged by flood. In some cases, the maps were too small by half. 

In March, parts of San Jose were flooded due to heavy rain. Atherton and San Jose share a border. 

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