Disaster Law Commons^™

Law’S Disaster: Heritage At Risk, Sara C. Bronin

Cornell Law Faculty Publications

Large-scale meteorological and geological events—including hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, floods, blizzards, wildfires, earthquakes, extreme heat, and drought—have many consequences: loss of life, economic catastrophe, and destruction of homes among them. Perhaps less well-known are the threats to the historic and cultural sites that speak to human identity and create a sense of connection across generations. These sites are designated spaces of value, given their historical or cultural significance, and they are preserved to commemorate important moments in the story of the lived human experience. Yet hurricanes can destroy old buildings, especially ones that have not been structurally reinforced. Extreme heat …