Photo: Ariana Weitzman

Sand blocks beach view homes on Long Island

Despite forewarned gas and housing shortages, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) response to Hurricane Sandy is commended by many as a marked improvement from 2005 Hurricane Katrina efforts. However, the Long Island Power Authority's (LIPA) failure to improve relief services after 2011's Hurricane Irene has received widespread criticism.

Credit: Disputed Waters

water treaty

Several southwestern states and Mexico are nearing a water sharing agreement regarding the Colorado River. The agreement would share the surplus water stored in Lake Powell and Lake Mead along with a water shortage burden felt more harshly the further south the water travels.