The article outlines the severe risks posed by natural hazards, including loss of life, property damage, and economic disruption. Vulnerable populations, such as residents in mobile homes, rural areas, and wildfire-prone zones, face heightened risks. For instance, the 2018 Camp Fire in California caused 85 fatalities and $16.5 billion in damages, while Hurricane Katrina resulted in 1,200 direct deaths. The piece stresses that poor land-use decisions, such as building in floodplains or wildfire-prone areas, exacerbate these risks, making communities more vulnerable to future disasters.