Natural catastrophes are increasing in severity and frequency, resulting in greater losses.

Disaster losses along the eastern United States coast are projected to escalate in the coming years, in part because of spikes in building and property development.

U.S. Census Bureau data show that the population in coastal counties containing 14 of the country's 20 largest metropolitan areas grew by 84% between 1960 and 2008. (By comparison, population in noncoastal counties grew by 64% during the same period). Indeed, the nine highest population density states are located along the East Coast and the five states experiencing the greatest rise in population — California, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Virginia — are all coastal.