The risk of hurricane-induced power outages is projected to increase by up to 50% in certain areas of the United States, including Puerto Rico, due to the effects of climate change in the coming decades. This analysis was conducted by researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Electric Power Research Institute.
The researchers have created a map that illustrates how future hurricanes could impact power supplies, allowing residents to visualize the vulnerability of their electricity infrastructure. This research follows the recent occurrence of Hurricane Beryl, which set records as the earliest Category 4 and 5 storm to develop in the Atlantic Ocean.
Hurricane Beryl caused widespread devastation in the Caribbean, resulting in the destruction of islands, loss of lives, and severe damage to vulnerable island communities. Upon making landfall on the Yucatán Peninsula, the hurricane is expected to move towards northern Mexico and the Gulf Coast of Texas.
Julian Rice, a data scientist involved in the project, emphasized the profound impact of such hurricanes on power outages. These outages can have cascading effects, such as hindering access to healthcare and disrupting essential services like heating and cooling in homes.
Using advanced computer models, the researchers simulated nearly one million hurricanes under different climate scenarios. The models considered factors such as humidity, wind patterns, and sea surface temperatures based on projected global warming scenarios from 2066 to 2100.
