Protective actions need regulatory support to fully defend homeowners and coastal communities, study finds
As climate change drives increasingly severe hurricanes, U.S. coastal communities are bearing the brunt of mounting losses. With regulations failing to curb the damage, homeowners have become the front line of defense — but their efforts often fall short, a recent study reveals.
Led by Tracy Kijewski-Correa, professor of engineering and global affairs at the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, the study, published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, explored how homeowners respond in the aftermath of hurricanes when reconstruction becomes necessary. Focusing on Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana — a community still recovering from a sequence of disasters beginning with Hurricane Laura — the research introduced a new methodology to document homeowner actions, the damage they experienced and their recovery paths.
Why homeowners are key to reducing losses
“With no mandates to upgrade at-risk homes, homeowners will be responsible for adapting their properties to halt mounting climate-driven losses in the housing sector,” said Kijewski-Correa, who also serves as the director of the Pulte Institute for Global Development at the Keough School. “Unfortunately, we have no idea what decisions households are making and why — this study created a methodology to answer those questions so we can better incentivize them to adapt before the next storm.”
Since 1980, U.S. losses from tropical cyclones have reached $1.3 trillion, exposing how underprepared the country remains in addressing weather and climate disasters. This growing vulnerability is compounded by rapid population growth in coastal areas and outdated or inconsistent building codes.
Gaps in protection and future risks
Using indices developed for the study, researchers measured protection levels for a number of critical home components at key points: at the time of purchase, pre-disaster and after post-disaster repairs, as well as future intended upgrades.
The study found that, on average, homeowners took proactive steps to protect their properties before the hurricane, enhanced those protections after the storm and expressed intentions to continue investing in resilience. Roofs, windows and other external components were the primary focus of these improvements. However, the typical home achieved only about half the measures needed to withstand future storms effectively.
Visible damage in neighborhoods and the experiences of family and friends also influenced voluntary homeowner decisions to invest in protective measures. Motivated by observing widespread destruction across the community, even homeowners who escaped damage in Hurricane Laura expressed intentions to invest in resilience.
Policy and incentives: closing the protection gap
“Homeowners are making efforts to ‘build back better’ — strengthening roofs, adding hurricane clips or straps and replacing standard windows with impact-rated alternatives,” said Kijewski-Correa. “Unfortunately, most investments still leave homes only moderately protected against future hurricanes.”
The study’s methodology, which includes a flexible survey tool and evaluation methods to analyze homeowner decisions, provides a framework for future research. Next steps include identifying the factors that most effectively motivate homeowners to adopt comprehensive protections.
“Policies need to incentivize comprehensive, whole-house upgrades while ensuring clear messaging about the importance of these measures,” Kijewski-Correa said. “We also need to address barriers such as affordability and awareness, which often prevent households from taking action.”
Study co-authors include civil engineering Ph.D. student Rachel Hamburger and Debra Javeline, professor of political science, both from the University of Notre Dame. The research is funded through a National Science Foundation grant under the Strengthening American Infrastructure program.
Originally published by at keough.nd.edu on Jan. 15.
Contact: Tracy DeStazio, associate director of media relations, 574-631-9958 or tdestazi@nd.edu
Contact: Jessica Sieff, associate director of media relations, 574-631-3933, jsieff@nd.edu
Latest ND NewsWire
- University of Notre Dame and FIA team up to reduce online abuse in sportsThe University of Notre Dame has announced a research collaboration with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile to lead an initiative addressing the rising threat of online abuse in sports. As the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility…
- Notre Dame Research, Under Armour reach historic partnership to pursue innovations in materials, data analytics and human performanceOver the next decade, both organizations will co-invest in research initiatives that span multiple colleges and disciplines, and allow Notre Dame’s faculty, staff and student researchers to work alongside Under Armour personnel to identify research questions and design solutions for impact on campus and beyond.
- Internationally recognized physician Tom Catena to visit Notre DamePhysician, humanitarian and medical missionary Dr. Tom Catena will visit the University of Notre Dame on Nov. 12 (Wednesday) to deliver the 2025 Rev. Bernie Clark, C.S.C., Lecture at 5 p.m. in the Eck Visitors Center Auditorium. Catena’s lecture, titled “Hope and Healing,” is also part of the 2025-26 Notre Dame Forum, which is organized around the theme “Cultivating Hope.”
- On the eve of COP30 in Brazil, Notre Dame convenes faculty in São PauloSince its founding, the University of Notre Dame has sought to address the world’s most pressing challenges through scholarship, partnership and service. Responding to the growing urgency of environmental change requires precisely this kind of collaboration, bringing together universities, researchers and communities to create solutions that are just, sustainable and grounded in shared responsibility for our planet. This November, COP30 will convene in Belem, Brazil. Capitalizing on Notre Dame’s presence in São Paulo, Notre Dame Global and Notre Dame São Paulo will host a conference together with Notre Dame Research and the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership (NDDCEL), the week before the international climate summit.
- Catholic Peacebuilding Network releases new report on global mining, using Catholic social teaching lensNotre Dame's Catholic Peacebuilding Network released a new report, Catholic Approaches to Mining: A Framework for Reflection, Planning, and Action, a nearly 50-page report identifying the problems associated with mining — social, economic and environmental among them — and analyzing these issues through Catholic social teaching to provide a path forward for mining-affected communities.
- Karen Deak named executive director of Notre Dame’s IDEA CenterKaren Imgrund Deak has been selected as executive director of the IDEA Center at the University of Notre Dame, where she has served in the interim role since September of 2024. She will lead the unit and oversee the roll out of its recent strategic reorganization. Deak brings to the role knowledge of developing partnerships at the IDEA Center, across the University, and beyond.
