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Electric vehicles (EVs) are all the rage these days. With their promise of lower emissions and smooth, quiet rides, it’s no wonder that the global demand for EVs has been soaring. However, if you live near the coast — or anywhere prone to flooding — there’s a less-talked-about risk that could make you rethink that shiny new electric car parked in your driveway: saltwater-induced fires from flooded EV batteries. <h2>Saltwater and EV batteries</h2>When it comes to EVs, the heart of the vehicle’s power lies in its battery, usually a lithium-ion (Li-ion) pack. These batteries are highly efficient, but they’re also sensitive to water, especially the salty kind. In September and October 2024, the Southeast U.S. was hit by hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused catastrophic flooding. Thousands of homes were damaged, and in a particularly frightening twist, 11 electric cars and 48 lithium-ion batteries caught fire after being exposed to salty floodwaters. Saltwater is a conductor of electricity, which means it can get into the EV battery packs, triggering a dangerous reaction. When water seeps into the battery, it can cause a short-circuit between the battery's terminals, which may lead to overheating, violent fires, and even explosions. In many cases, the fire doesn’t start right away — it can take hours or even days after the exposure before a thermal runaway event occurs, causing a dangerous blaze. Once the fire starts, it’s nearly impossible to put out with regular fire-fighting methods. Firefighters often have no choice but to let the battery burn itself out. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113906136" title="Planning to purchase an EV? Here&amp;#39;s how to ensure it never catches on fire" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>In 2022, during Hurricane Ian in Florida, 36 EVs that had been flooded reportedly caught fire, even some that were being towed on flatbed trucks. The problem lies in how lithium-ion batteries react to saltwater. The metal terminals in these batteries, when exposed to salty water, can corrode and build short-circuiting paths that lead to fires days later. The fire hazard remains even in fully discharged batteries, meaning even seemingly "safe" vehicles after flooding could still pose a serious threat. <h2>The risk to coastal cities</h2>This issue is especially concerning for coastal cities where rising sea levels and hurricanes are becoming more frequent. According to a 2023 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), <keyword id="381751" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="electric-vehicle" source="Orion">electric vehicle</keyword> adoption is growing rapidly in many parts of the world, including India, where EV sales increased by around 50% in the first quarter of 2024 alone. Cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kochi are embracing EVs due to their environmental benefits and growing infrastructure support. However, these coastal cities are also at higher risk for flooding, making the combination of increased EV adoption and rising sea levels a perfect storm for potential disaster. In fact, areas prone to heavy rains and floods, like India’s coastal cities, are facing unique challenges. The combination of frequent monsoon floods and rising sea levels presents a scenario where more and more EVs could end up submerged in salty floodwaters, increasing the risk of battery fires in the region. <h2>What does this mean for you?</h2>While electric cars are generally safe under normal conditions, the growing risk of battery fires due to flooding is an important factor to consider if you live in flood-prone areas, especially near the sea. The key takeaway here is that EV owners should take extra precautions when natural disasters loom, particularly hurricanes and floods. Here's what you can do to protect your EV: <ul><li>Move your EV to higher ground: If you're in a flood zone, take your EV to higher ground or evacuate it if possible. This will help prevent it from being submerged in salty water.</li><li>Evacuate early: Be proactive and evacuate before the floodwaters hit. Don't wait for the last minute to move your vehicle to safety.</li><li>After the flood, treat submerged EVs with caution: If your EV has been submerged in water, especially saltwater, it’s essential to avoid using it, charging it, or even moving it until it’s been inspected by professionals. Contact the manufacturer for a thorough inspection of the battery.</li><li>Do not attempt DIY fixes: If your vehicle has been exposed to saltwater, do not try to start it, charge it, or fix the battery yourself. The risks of fire are too high, and professionals are trained to handle such situations safely.</li></ul>

Buying an EV may be a somewhat dangerous move if you live near the sea

<ul class="summary-list"><li>For years, I spent countless hours stuck in traffic driving to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-hamptons-compared-to-malibu-california-beach-montauk-photos-2022-9">the Hamptons</a> from my home in NYC.</li><li>I got fed up and started spending weekends in Madison, a coastal Connecticut town.</li></ul>I vacationed in the Hamptons for decades but eventually got a bit tired of it. I can't count how much time I've spent sitting in traffic on the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-from-nyc-to-the-hamptons-2015-5">Montauk Highway</a>, searching for parking spots at the beach, and waiting for tables at trendy restaurants.Fortunately, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-tiktok-is-helping-travelers-discover-the-next-hot-destination-2024-7">"destination dupes"</a> are all the rage right now with many turning to TikTok to find less-crowded, cheaper, and more under-the-radar <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-trips-to-book-for-2024-underrated-destinations-travel-planner">alternatives to their dream vacation spots</a>.So, I found my own "dupe" of the Hamptons about 100 miles away in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-new-england-to-california-regrets-came-back-connecticut-2024-7">New England</a>: Madison, Connecticut. The town defines coastal calm, with just about everything the Hamptons has minus the crowds. It's still upscale but less expensive — and my drive from New York City to Madison isn't so bad.Here's why I love Madison so much. <h2 id="3d673129-4690-4c7e-8029-4ae24db75e0f">The beautiful beaches get me every time</h2><div type="image" title="Author Allison Tibaldi sitting in sand at almost empty Hamoonasset Beach " height="3024" width="4032" msid="114886894" hostid="261" sizebytes="1627518"></div>The local beaches attract me like a magnet. Fortunately, Madison has about a dozen. My favorite is<a target="_blank" href="https://ctparks.com/parks/hammonasset-beach-state-park"> Hammonasset Beach State Park</a>, with about 2 miles of Long Island Sound shoreline and trails that I can bike on. It's felt clean and uncrowded each time I've visited.<div type="image" title="Boardwalk with grass on each side leading to shore " height="3024" width="4032" msid="114887038" hostid="261" sizebytes="1815248"></div><h2 id="a245be3c-5ccf-4cfb-af14-89e55bacebef">I stay at a bed-and-breakfast that blends cozy with chic</h2>There are several bed-and-breakfasts in Madison, plus a beachfront Hilton hotel.I usually stay at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.homesteadmadison.com/">The Homestead</a>, an upscale B&amp;B that hits the right balance between charming and modern. Its dozen or so rooms are individually decorated with high-end furnishings and posh perks like Japanese toilets, showerheads infused with vitamins, and record players with an eclectic selection of vinyl.Each guest has access to complimentary bikes, towels, and beach chairs to borrow. Plus, its gardens and decks with firepits make it easy for me to spend time outdoors.I also love its gourmet snacks and elegant breakfast buffet with things like quiche, cake, fresh fruit, and yogurt.<h2 id="0dbd180a-b1d9-4fdb-a18b-3bdf4bb85a4c">There's plenty of retail therapy and artwork to be found in town</h2><div type="image" title="RJ Julia Bookseller exterior with table of books out front " height="3024" width="4032" msid="114886892" hostid="261" sizebytes="1234122"></div>Madison's downtown is low-key, laidback, and walkable, with excellent New England vibes.I can get lost for hours at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.rjjulia.com/">RJ Julia Booksellers</a>, which I consider one of the best independent bookstores in the entire country. I always stop at <a target="_blank" href="https://drinkgreatteamarketplace.com/pages/savvy-tea-gourmet">Savvy Tea Gourmet</a>, which sells a variety of unique teas and has in-store tastings. When I'm not sure which tea leaves to buy, the owner steers me in the right direction.The town also has a cluster of cute clothing boutiques. My favorite is<a target="_blank" href="https://www.thedressingroomboutique.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorhhabjogZtSELJ9xZt-_bACGH5r7SOXIJWGfdvR6Ht391tCb26"> The Dressing Room,</a> where the staff is friendly and the sales are legit.<div type="image" title="Sculpture with black and red silhouettes next to tree" height="1342" width="1910" msid="114886897" hostid="261" sizebytes="309800"></div>Along the way, I take in some of the local art. Madison has plenty thanks to the Sculpture Mile, a free outdoor public art installation of museum-quality sculptures scattered around town.<h2 id="f3a98435-7643-4012-b2a0-938ec256009e">Madison Cinemas is perfect for rainy days</h2>When it's cold or rainy, you'll find me at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.madisoncinemas2.com/">Madison Cinemas</a> watching arthouse and international films.The century-old theater has freshly-popped popcorn topped with real butter and local beer and wine.<h2 id="0d66ed9d-e5f7-43d8-82b1-cea9b0a16215">There's often something happening on the town green</h2>Madison's historic town green is its leafy centerpiece. I like to stroll the peaceful paths and listen to live music during the free concerts on Sunday evenings in the summer.It hosts a great farmers market every Friday afternoon from May until Thanksgiving and the town often has seasonal festivals. <h2 id="10f71ee6-809f-4139-bdb1-fea955cb0798">The culinary scene is great, too </h2><div type="image" title="Brick-lined street with shops and trees along it in Connecticut " height="3024" width="4032" msid="114887036" hostid="261" sizebytes="1810968"></div>Madison has a few eateries I try to stop at each time I visit. French bistro <a target="_blank" href="https://barbouchee.com/">Bar Bouchée</a> transports me right to Europe with its ambiance and traditional Gallic fare. I can also never resist ordering the profiteroles drenched in warm chocolate sauce.I book a table at <a target="_blank" href="https://thewharfmadison.com/">The Wharf</a> when I want to eat fresh seafood with a view of the water. My go-to order is the warm lobster roll served with a mountain of crisp shoestring fries.When I crave pasta like my Nonna used to make, I head to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cafeallegre.com/">Café Allegre</a>. The Italian eatery serves classics like spaghetti with fresh clams and robust rigatoni with meatballs and sausage.<h2 id="f2868784-86da-4805-9c40-21acf0cc77a6">Madison is also lovely in the fall and winter</h2>In the fall, the area's numerous farms and farm stands overflow with fresh produce and pretty flowers. My favorite is <a target="_blank" href="https://bishopsorchards.com/">Bishop's Orchard</a> in neighboring Guilford, where I go apple-picking each autumn.The beaches are fun to visit throughout the year, too. The water usually stays warm well into October, so I can have a dip surrounded by <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/national-parks-must-visit-see-fall-foliage-2024-10">fall foliage</a>.I even go in winter for chilly seaside strolls and snowshoeing on the maze of wooden boardwalks.

I skip the Hamptons and head to a coastal town in Connecticut instead. It's less crowded and wonderful year-round. 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>My wife, four kids, and I have been to 33 states together including <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rosewood-kona-village-review-hawaii-resort-big-island-2024-10">Hawaii</a>, California, and Maine.</li><li>Still, Oregon is our <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/50-states-ranked-according-to-frequent-traveler-2024-8">favorite state we've visited,</a> and we recently spent eight days exploring it.</li></ul>My wife and I have four young children who have traveled with us all over the country.To date, we've been to 33 states including famously scenic ones like Hawaii, Maine, California, and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/montana-things-to-never-do-there-according-to-local-photos-2022-9">Montana</a> — and we've found many things to love about each one. But we've never discovered a state that wowed us like Oregon did during a recent eight-day road trip.Across its sprawling coastline, pristine state parks, and eclectic cities, we found so much to love about the Beaver State — and so many reasons to want to return.<h2 id="a4fa7e44-bd3c-4df1-90f2-8e9072dbdf6b">We appreciated the picturesque beaches and were happy to find them uncrowded</h2><div type="image" title="Author Daryl Austin's wife and kids holding hands across sabd and water at Secret Beach " height="2268" width="3024" msid="114592763" hostid="261" sizebytes="725496"></div>We went to Oregon near the end of the state's peak summer season. Even so, the state had some of the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/secret-beaches-to-beat-the-crowds-2018-4">most uncrowded beaches</a> we've ever visited. I suspect the sparse crowds are because there are just so many beaches to choose from — the state has over 250 miles of them along its coastline, and each is seemingly more picturesque than the last.We explored 10 of them in all, including Seaside, Yachats, Agate, and Cannon, and only found a crowd at the last one.Our favorite was "Secret Beach" along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. It's a short hike down to a little waterfall that feeds right into the sea and has a sea cave, tidepools, and the softest sand<h2 id="6db69671-8d93-42ed-bbcc-7da67c0a2385">There was so much to do in each city we explored in Oregon</h2><div type="image" title="Kids posing with World's Smallest park sign and small tree" height="2854" width="3024" msid="114592765" hostid="261" sizebytes="1253804"></div>Though we spent the majority of our time at beaches and state parks, we also explored five of Oregon's cities.Each felt clean and had much to offer. Historic Baker City has a great museum that showcases the city's connection to the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-us-whitewashed-the-california-gold-rush-2021-4">California Gold Rush</a> and highlights important local contributions made by early Chinese immigrants.In Portland, we loved biking along the Willamette River, exploring the world's largest independent bookstore, and visiting the Guinness Book of World Records' smallest park.We saw the best view of our trip from the back of Portland's Pittock Mansion. The French Renaissance-style chateau wows, but the view of the city's skyline with Mount Hood off in the distance was even better.In Seaside, we shopped on the boardwalk and visited nearby Fort Clatsop where famous explorers Lewis and Clark once stayed. We also visited the state's capitol in Salem and rode a waterfront trolley in Astoria.<h2 id="82d7e6b1-0d7f-426e-8b71-9510a85f8f3a">We also loved the eclectic, spacious, and luxurious hotels the state has to offer</h2>One of our favorite parts of a road trip is discovering unusual and exciting places to sleep each night.We stayed at six different hotels in Oregon, but the most memorable were The Nines in Portland, the Cannery Pier Hotel in Astoria, and the Geiser Grand in Baker City.The Geiser Grand is a true destination hotel. It's more than a century old, is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/galleries/IXQYKWLJKZGXPM6GDNCP5NSCCU/">reported to be haunted</a>, and has undergone one of the most stunning and detailed renovations I've ever seen.Our splurge of the trip was a stay at the luxurious Nines Hotel. It occupies the top half of the historic Meier &amp; Frank building and features spacious rooms with incredible views of downtown Portland. It's also home to Urban Farmer Steakhouse, where our family enjoyed the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-thing-to-do-while-traveling-food-tour-frequent-traveler">best meal of our vacation</a>.The Cannery Pier Hotel is built on old pier pilings and extends about 600 feet over the Columbia River. From our room, we could watch ships slowly pass beneath the Astoria-Megler Bridge. <h2 id="1f134882-1ba6-422c-8a03-bc18c8c22f82">We learned a lot about history, cheese, and movies during our trip</h2>Throughout our trip, we learned about local history and landmarks related to Native American tribes in the area and Lewis and Clark's famed journey through the state.We also visited the Tillamook Cheese Factory headquarters and creamery, where I enjoyed the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/review-popular-chef-best-grilled-cheese-recipe-photos">best grilled-cheese sandwich</a> of my life.Oregon also has a lot of ties to big-name films that we could explore.We loved seeing the school where Arnold Schwarzenegger went undercover in "Kindergarten Cop," the harbor where Jack Nicholson commandeers a fishing vessel in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," the breakwater the killer whale escaped over in "Free Willy," and the location of the opening jail breakout and car chase from "The Goonies."<h2 id="4adc5f84-1486-49d2-a61a-7733be5067bb">Oregon is filled with natural beauty beyond beaches, too</h2><div type="image" title="Author Daryl Austin and his family posing near waterfall at Silver Falls State Park " height="2965" width="3024" msid="114592757" hostid="261" sizebytes="1316128"></div>We've been to dozens of state and national parks across the country, but Oregon offered some of the most unforgettable ones yet.The Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park was our favorite because its 7-mile loop took us to or behind 10 beautiful falls.We also loved seeing multiple waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, including Horsetail Falls, Latourell Falls, and the breathtaking Multnomah Falls — the tallest in the state.As much as we loved each waterfall we visited, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-underrated-national-parks-to-visit-2019-5">Crater Lake National Park</a> was easily our best find of the trip. It's considered to have one of the deepest, clearest lakes in the United States.Its blue water was stunning to behold from the rim and even more thrilling to plunge into from the Cleetwood Cove trailhead.All six of us enjoyed swimming in the cool water together before hiking back up to refuel our bodies with vegetable lasagna, bison stew, and seared salmon at the Crater Lake Lodge.With all that said, our family is already planning another visit to Oregon next year.

My family has traveled to 33 states, but none has wowed us as much as this coastal gem — and, no, it's not Hawaii   

<ul class="summary-list"><li>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</li></ul>Hello! Europe just had its largest auto show of the year, but out-of-towners nabbed the spotlight. China's EV giants like BYD, Xpeng, and Leapmoter <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-ev-giants-innovation-ai-auto-show-european-rivals-despair-2024-10">showed off new models that turned heads</a>.In today's big story, Netflix's earnings report comes as Wall Street wonders <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-questions-from-wall-street-growth-ads-future-earnings-2024-10">if the king of streaming can keep its crown</a>.What's on deck:<ul><li>Markets: BNPL Klarna is exploring <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/klarna-stock-trading-robinhood-bnpl-app-ipo-2024-10">adding stock-trading features to its app</a>.</li><li>Tech: Both Trump and Harris support homegrown semiconductors, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-semiconductor-chip-production-continue-harris-trump-presidency-arizona-jobs-2024-10">but that doesn't mean they won't impact the industry</a>.</li><li>Business: NYC's short-term rental ban was supposed make housing cheaper. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nyc-short-term-rental-airbnb-ban-housing-market-impact-data-2024-10">Did it</a>?</li></ul>But first, skip intro.If this was forwarded to you, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today">sign up here.</a><h3 id="7fa5f018-5b05-4a37-a8dc-d3f89138bcb3">The big story</h3><h2 id="5fd547b9-ec52-41fc-8e08-4f4b27dd8097">Next on Netflix</h2><div type="image" title="Netflix and Wall street bull hug" height="1000" width="2000" msid="114320003" hostid="261" sizebytes="147320"></div>Netflix won the streaming crown. Now, it has to keep it.The gap between Netflix and its fellow streamers is more of a chasm these days. (I'm not exaggerating. Just look at this chart <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-stock-historic-high-chart-streaming-2024-9">comparing Netflix's stock price with its rivals</a>.)But life at the top just means the expectations are that much higher. Business Insider's Lucia Moses outlined <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-questions-from-wall-street-growth-ads-future-earnings-2024-10">investors' key questions about Netflix</a> ahead of its third-quarter earnings call this afternoon.One thing we do know is the subscription gravy train is slowing down. After enjoying a bump in subscribers from its password-sharing crackdown, executives have telegraphed a year-over-year drop in net additions for Q3.But Netflix has other levers to pull for growth.Games are one interesting avenue the streamer is pursuing. It's unclear if the investment is paying off, but new games president Alain Tascan recently shook things up by <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-shakes-up-gaming-division-new-epic-hire-layoffs-2024-10">bringing in a former Epic Games executive and cutting some staff</a>.Netflix's other options range from straightforward (raising subscription prices) to complex (creating events tied to popular shows).<div type="image" title="Photo of two players in a football game" height="1333" width="2000" msid="114320008" hostid="261" sizebytes="131216"></div>We'll get a preview of one new growth opportunity for Netflix this quarter.The NFL is coming to the streamer this Christmas, with Netflix showing two games on the holiday. It's part of a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-nfl-football-streaming-deal-explained-peter-kafka-2024-5">three-year deal it inked with the NFL</a>, joining rival streamers in buying the rights to show America's new favorite pastime.Football games can come with an initial boost in users — Peacock reportedly nabbed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/peacock-nfl-playoff-stream-drew-millions-subscribers-report-2024-1">2.8 million subscribers for its NFL playoff game</a> last season — but they <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/peacock-subscriber-loss-first-comcast-churn-olympics-nfl-2024-7">don't always stick around</a>, as BI's Peter Kafka has previously covered.There's also a touch of reputational risk among fans who complain about needing to subscribe to yet another streamer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-new-nfl-deal-some-sports-fans-crying-foul-2024-5">to watch their beloved football</a>.The NFL isn't really about adding more subscribers for Netflix, though. The games, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-netflix-pro-wrestling-wwe-deal-makes-sense-2024-1">along with its $5 billion pro wrestling deal</a>, are about building out its ads business.Netflix has already tested the waters with live events with varying degrees of success. (Remember the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/netflix-love-is-blind-live-reunion-delayed-apology-technical-2023-4">"Love Is Blind" reunion debacle</a>?)But games featuring the league's biggest stars (Patrick Mahomes, reigning MVP Lamar Jackson) meant to help the NFL overtake a holiday dominated by the NBA mean the stakes are higher than ever.Then again, Netflix is used to the spotlight.<h3 id="77f31a4c-8462-4e3d-a71f-838cb79493fb">News brief</h3><h2 id="1fcd294b-3f53-425f-9f20-4093e8623b59">Top headlines</h2><ul><li>Liam Payne, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/one-direction-liam-payne-dead-buenos-aires-2024-10">former One Direction star, dead at 31</a> in Buenos Aires.</li><li>Kamala Harris defends her economic plan and insists she won't be more of Joe Biden in a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-fox-news-interview-economic-plan-donald-trump-2024-10">tense interview with Fox News</a>.</li><li>Apple's chief people officer, who reports directly to Tim Cook, is<a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-chief-people-officer-leaving-carol-surface-executive-2024-10"> leaving the company after less than 2 years</a>.</li><li>A quant research leader from Two Sigma's vaunted 'techniques' squad <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/two-sigma-exec-kan-huang-techniques-unit-joins-cubist-2024-10">is leaving for Cubist</a>.</li><li>Elon Musk hits the campaign trail in a key swing state <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-campaign-trail-pennsylvania-donald-trump-key-swing-state-2024-10">after donating $75 million to a pro-Trump super PAC</a>.</li><li>AI sales startup Clay is <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-sales-startup-clay-raising-new-vc-round-2024-10">raising a new funding round at a $1.3 billion valuation</a>, sources say.</li><li>What's next in Diddy sex-trafficking case: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/diddy-case-sean-combs-next-court-date-2024-10">possible gun and drug charges, a gag order, and a bail decision</a>.</li></ul><h2 id="8120060b-ae66-48dc-b149-f0489a30ffa2">3 things in markets</h2><div type="image" title="A Louis Vuitton store" height="683" width="1024" msid="114320004" hostid="261" sizebytes="62718"></div><ol><li>Luxury stocks are looking like knockoffs. LVMH, the French luxury conglomerate that includes Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior, reported a Q3 sales decline that <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/lvmh-stock-price-earnings-lucury-sales-china-economy-demand-stimulus-2024-10">sent its stock tumbling</a> along with competitors. The main culprit: China's recent stimulus won't be enough to boost the country's waning consumer demand.</li><li>AI mania latest: Taiwanese chip giant TSMC <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tsmc-earnings-taiwan-semiconductor-chip-ai-chip-demand-asml-china-2024-10">posted blockbuster Q3 results</a> Thursday. It comes after one of its suppliers, Dutch chip equipment maker ASML, posted a downbeat earnings report that triggered a sell-off. TSMC's CEO insisted demand for AI "is real" during the earnings call.</li><li>Buy now, pay later, trade whenever. BNPL giant Klarna is exploring building a tool for users to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/klarna-stock-trading-robinhood-bnpl-app-ipo-2024-10">buy and sell stocks through its app</a> and compete with Robinhood, according to an internal Slack message seen by BI. The Swedish company is building out its product offerings as it reportedly looks to IPO in the US.</li></ol><h2 id="f4b54806-7f81-450c-ba32-92560d4fae9b">3 things in tech</h2><div type="image" title="semiconductor chips" height="1500" width="2000" msid="114320001" hostid="261" sizebytes="251438"></div><ol><li>Trump or Harris? For chip investment, it doesn't matter. The US's push into semiconductors will prevail, regardless of who wins the White House in November. Both candidates think chip production is key for economic and national security reasons — but their stances on other issues, like taxes and immigration, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-semiconductor-chip-production-continue-harris-trump-presidency-arizona-jobs-2024-10">could still affect the semiconductor industry</a>.</li><li>Help wanted: Elon Musk's xAI is looking for "AI tutors." <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-xai-hiring-spree-ai-tutors-2024-10">The startup is on a hiring spree</a>, having recently opened a spate of AI tutor roles. The job pays between $35 and $65 an hour and is focused on helping train language algorithms.</li><li>What SpaceX needs to win its lawsuit against a California commission. Elon Musk's company sued the California Coastal Commission after it denied a request for more frequent SpaceX flights. Musk's lawyers accuse the commission of regulatory overreach because commissioners have criticized Musk's politics. To win their case, they'll have to show the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-free-speech-lawsuit-california-coastal-commission-spacex-2024-10">flights would've been approved otherwise</a>.</li></ol><h2 id="9260fa45-d397-4b3c-b4f8-4bb193976216">3 things in business</h2><div type="image" title="The Statue of Liberty torch with an Airbnb logo in the flame" height="1000" width="2000" msid="114320005" hostid="261" sizebytes="428036"></div><ol><li>NYC banned short-term rentals last year. It's unclear if it's helped the city's housing crisis. The ban was supposed to make housing cheaper. So far, the results are mixed: While rent-price growth has slowed and home inventory has increased modestly, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nyc-short-term-rental-airbnb-ban-housing-market-impact-data-2024-10">it's not clear how much of that is directly correlated to the ban</a>.</li><li>Amazon goes Hollywood. Under the leadership of former Paramount exec Amy Powell, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-amazon-branded-entertainment-playbook-amy-powell-2024-10">Amazon is looking for ways to market itself</a> outside the traditional TV spot. Part of that includes a new show with the creator of the hit social-media series "Recess Therapy," which Amazon hopes will help portray it as a force for good.</li><li>Inside the LinkedIn laugh factory. America's favorite social media app for humblebragging and exaggerated corporate enthusiasm has become a surprise source of corporate trolling. Comedians are satirizing workaholism so well that it can be hard to tell what's ironic and what's not. But while LinkedIn comedy might be refreshing new content, <a target="_blank" href="https://businessinsider.com/americas-hottest-comedy-club-linkedin-satire-unhinged-ceos-2024-10">it's unlikely to change the platform's culture</a>.</li></ol><h2 id="9f5d80ac-3466-429f-a50a-2ffbb70c65ff">What's happening today</h2><ul><li>Netflix and other companies report Q3 earnings.</li><li>NATO defense ministers meet.</li><li>"El Mayo," head of the Sinaloa cartel, is charged in US court with conspiracy and money laundering.</li></ul>The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Milan Sehmbi, fellow, in London. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.

Netflix airing NFL games on Christmas will be the streaming giant's biggest test for its next area of growth

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Stronger <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/houston-storm-damage-could-leave-city-without-power-for-weeks-2024-5">hurricanes</a> are growing more frequent and causing more damage to US coastal cities.</li><li>As a coastal engineer, Jens Figlus works to protect coastlines from these threats.</li></ul>Jens Figlus vividly recalls the day hurricane-driven <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/torrential-rain-flash-floods-wreaked-havoc-dubai-airport-travel-chaos-2024-4">floodwaters</a> surged into his neighborhood."People across the street were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/giant-panda-cub-travels-to-china-via-singapore-airlines-2024-1">airlifted</a> off their roofs with helicopters," he said. But Figlus, his family, and property were unharmed."We were basically sitting in the living room with power, internet, everything — watching <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-harvey-2017-where-will-harveys-water-go-2017-9">boats go by in our street</a>," he told Business Insider.While this scene is from 2017, when <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/harvey-damage-aerial-survey-photos-map-2017-9">Hurricane Harvey ripped through Texas and Louisiana</a> killing over 100 people, Figlus' secret to saving his family and property is more relevant than ever this year.<h2 id="51c6bfd8-bb48-4e94-81f3-d590c961142e">2024 may be the worst hurricane season in history</h2><div type="image" title="A hurricane shown from overhead approaching landfall in southern US." height="1299" width="1732" msid="110423025" hostid="261" sizebytes="338396"></div>A coastal engineer at Texas A&amp;M University, Figlus is an expert on flooding. He's acutely aware that climate change is driving <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/antarctica-lost-enough-ice-cover-us-three-feet-water-2023-10">sea level rise</a> and making dangerous storms like Hurricane Harvey more common. And this year is looking like it could be an especially bad one.This week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its first hurricane forecast for this year's season. It predicts that an unprecedented 17 to 25 named storms could ravage the North Atlantic this hurricane season, and potentially make landfall in the US. Other scientists from the University of Pennsylvania predicted an even higher number — 33 named storms — in April, which is the highest storm count ever forecasted.Altogether, the data suggests that 2024 could be one of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/a-bad-hurricane-season-could-be-the-next-supply-chain-problem-2021-5">worst hurricane seasons in history</a>. Meanwhile, a different team of scientists argued earlier this year that we need to add a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-category-6-wind-speed-prediction-2024-2">Category 6 to the </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-do-hurricane-categories-mean">Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale</a> to account for the growing severity of hurricanes and better inform people of what's headed their way.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cities-where-climate-change-is-the-worst-flooding-heat-wildfires-2023-12">Coastal cities</a>, like Houston, are especially vulnerable. What's more, Houston is one of the fastest-growing US cities. Between 2022 and 2023, Houston had the second-largest population growth in the nation, welcoming roughly 140,000 new residents, according to the US Census Bureau.<div type="image" title="Houston, Texas" height="1333" width="2000" msid="110423026" hostid="261" sizebytes="391760"></div>"People that move to this area typically are not familiar with the type of hazards that they're putting themselves in front of — the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/salisbury-beach-massachusetts-surfside-homeowners-sand-dune-coastal-erosion-2024-3">flooding</a>, primarily," Figlus said of Houston.During Harvey, the development Figlus lives in ended up being "locked out from the rest of civilization for five days, just because of floodwaters" he said. "But not my house."What's Figlus' secret? "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-places-to-live-climate-change-migration-us-cities-2023-12">Elevation matters</a>," he said. Figlus and his family live up on a ridge that's 16 feet above sea level. It's the highest point in their development, he said. Thanks to their elevation, the floodwaters couldn't reach them.He knew that living in the greater Houston area meant his family's home would be vulnerable to flooding, but because of his work, he has to live near the coast. He's 25 miles north of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/search-called-off-man-went-overboard-carnival-glory-cruise-ship-2023-11">the Gulf Coast</a>, and 10 miles west of Galveston Bay.That's why elevation was an important factor in his <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-rule-of-home-buying-fire-your-real-estate-agent-2024-4">home-buying process</a>. But you don't have to be a coastal engineer to make a well-informed choice when shopping for a home in a flood zone.<h2 id="1dc8b4e7-a218-4fc4-87db-2b46fabe80b3">How to assess flood risk</h2><div type="image" title="A home in a flood." height="3072" width="4080" msid="110423027" hostid="261" sizebytes="1369334"></div>When shopping for homes in an area that's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-homeowners-insurance-companies">vulnerable to flooding</a>, like the greater Houston area, it's often up to homebuyers to assess the risk, Figlus said."The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/low-risk-real-estate-investing-strategy-buy-property-house-hack-2023-12">risk to the potential homebuyer</a> may not be disclosed," he said. "And the developer doesn't have any incentive to tell people, 'Here's the risk, let me outline it for you.'"Even as Texas faces more frequent and intense hurricanes, Figlus doesn't expect that developers will stop building homes in high-risk areas. He also doesn't expect to see <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nantucket-homes-wealthy-falling-into-ocean-erosion-climate-2024-5">fewer people moving to Texas</a> despite increased flooding.He only hopes <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/10-metros-where-sellers-are-slashing-listing-prices-the-most-2024-4">prospective homebuyers</a> will try to make well-informed decisions about where they live, like he did."If you spend a little bit of time, you can actually make some smart decisions related to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/climate-change-migration-where-moved-escape-natural-disasters-extreme-weather">flooding hazards</a>," Figlus said.<div type="image" title="houston harvey flood" height="1313" width="2000" msid="110423028" hostid="261" sizebytes="174834"></div>Asking the seller about the history of flooding in the area is a good place to start. If you need more information, use the <a target="_blank" href="https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home">FEMA Flood Map Service Center</a> to look up the address of your potential new home. This online service provides a detailed breakdown of flooding risk in a given area.You can also consider purchasing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-flood-insurance'">flood insurance</a>. That way, even if your home does flood, you're financially protected. But before purchasing your own policy, ask the seller if they already have flood insurance. In some cases, they can transfer their policy directly to the new owner.All in all, Figlus thinks people can still live in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/climate-change-sea-level-rise-roads-highways-economy-solutions-resiliency-2023-2">flood zones</a> relatively safely, as long as they understand the risks."With a little bit of additional knowledge, and due diligence, and asking the right questions of the right people, you can make this work really well," he said.

A Texas coastal engineer says a simple home-buying decision saved his house from Hurricane Harvey — and could help other home-owners in flood zones

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Retired couple Sherry Meaders and James Michael Dunne moved from Florida to rural Missouri.</li><li>The couple moved due to Florida's rising insurance costs, population influx, and political changes.</li></ul>Married retired couple Sherry Meaders, 75, and James Michael Dunne, 79, lived by the Atlantic Ocean for 30 and 45 years, respectively. But after decades by the water in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-from-florida-to-california-pros-cons-los-angeles-orlando-2023-11">Florida</a>, Meaders said Florida "is definitely <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/leaving-florida-moving-to-vermont-boomer-retirement-mobile-home-2023-12">not paradise</a> anymore."The couple decided to move to a very different place: rural <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-cost-of-living-nyc-kansas-city-midwest-rent-2024-1">Missouri</a>.Meaders wanted to be closer to her son and grandson, and the couple wanted a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/small-town-life-moving-to-new-york-city-2021-6">small-town</a> feel. They settled on a small city in south-central Missouri with 2,500 residents, purchasing a home on two-thirds of an acre for less than half of what she sold her Florida home for."There's a lot of things we don't have nearby; we don't have a lot of the convenience stores and malls, that sort of thing," Meaders said. "But that's what you get when you live in a small town, and I think you have to get to a point where you don't need a city. I always said that you couldn't take the city out of the girl, but I got to a point where I didn't need the city anymore."Many older Americans continue to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-to-florida-from-minnesota-weather-hurricane-insurance-retirement-expensive-2024-3">flock to Florida</a>, though some have recently told Business Insider they've had enough of the Sunshine State. Some echoed Meaders by noting that Florida has lost its feeling of "paradise" amid <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-condo-owners-prices-drop-insurance-hoa-taxes-increase-2023-3">rising home and insurance prices</a> and political changes. One recent <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-from-florida-to-virginia-pros-cons-cape-coral-weather-2024-2">mover to Virginia</a> said her move led to lower costs, a slower pace of life, and a break from politics.The Census Bureau found that from July 2022 to July 2023, Florida's population <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/state-population-growth-declines-map-moving-migration-census-2023-12">increased by 365,200</a>, or 1.64%. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/geographic-mobility/state-to-state-migration.html">2022 American Community Survey</a> revealed that 9,758 people moved from Florida to Missouri between 2021 to 2022, compared to 10,919 who did the opposite move. On average, those <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cant-afford-florida-priced-out-move-to-texas-housing-market-2023-10">leaving Florida</a> are unmarried millennials earning almost $48,000 a year moving to Georgia or Texas.<h2>Leaving Florida for Missouri</h2>Meaders was born and raised in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-california-kansas-pros-cons-san-francisco-weather-buying-home-2024-2">Kansas City</a>, where she started her career as a teacher. She moved to Florida in 1995 with her late husband seeking better weather. They moved to Rockledge in Brevard County, six miles from Cocoa Beach and a short drive from Cape Canaveral.She worked in grant development for nonprofits, public schools, and universities, as well as grant review work for national federal agencies. She also served as a dean of a university in Florida.Dunne was raised in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-to-florida-weather-chicago-illinois-boomer-retirement-sarasota-beaches-2024-1">Chicago</a> and enlisted in the Coast Guard, where he served in the Pacific and Alaska. For over three decades, he worked for Bell System and moved to Florida for work. He moved around the state, settling in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-spring-break-lyft-uber-drivers-earnings-tips-money-miami-2024-3">Fort Lauderdale</a>, Orlando, and Volusia County by Daytona Beach. He worked for nearly two decades as a volunteer firefighter, then spent seven years in Africa.Meaders and Dunne met in Brevard County after Dunne moved back. They married in 2016 and spent time volunteering at children's homes, youth camps, and national parks.They said the hurricanes and bad storms would often bypass their city, and they would often drive an hour to Orlando or two and a half hours to Miami for weekend trips.For years, Meaders said Rockledge had a small-town feel, and it was quiet and calm. However, a few years ago, she said many more people started moving in and visiting on vacation. She noticed traffic was intense while prices shot up.She saw many wealthier people moving up from Miami seeking a lower cost of living, as well as "snowbirds" <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-to-florida-pros-cons-millennials-gen-x-retirement-census-2024-1">from the North</a> looking for warmer weather year-round."I was just watching more and more people come into the state, and a lot of people that I look at today, they don't seem to have good coping skills," Dunne said. "They come in and expect things to be done for them that they should be doing for themselves. Getting back to rural America, you find less people that are having difficulty coping."Many of these movers, Meaders felt, were "not as patient, not as agreeable," adding that many "had expectations of how they wanted things to be." She said her area became much more radical — the KKK passed out fliers in 2013 by her home — and she felt less respected and accepted in her city."It's just destroying that original, wonderful <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-to-leaving-florida-reasons-home-prices-affordability-weather-2023-11">Florida</a> culture that was down here," Meaders said. "The whole atmosphere of living in Florida had become very toxic to us."Both noted their area was also becoming more commercialized, with more hotels and tourist attractions being constructed. Many new homes were built along the dunes, and she said with every hurricane, many homes were eroded, meaning taxpayers' dollars were spent refurbishing the beaches."Even though I didn't live on the beach, I was paying for them to live there," she said.<h2>Moving to Missouri: pros and cons</h2>Meaders and Dunne knew it was time to move, and they wanted to be closer to Meaders' son in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-california-missouri-bought-house-sight-unseen-2021-5">Missouri</a>. She said she wanted to help care for her grandson with autism. Dunne's two children are still in Florida, and they didn't want to move to Kansas City, which was too busy and expensive."We're not staying in Florida anymore and left because things had gotten so expensive," Meaders said, noting that many insurance companies were leaving her area. "For instance, our house insurance had been about $1,400, and we got notice it was going up to $6,000. In Florida, they don't have a state tax, but you get dinged on everything. We didn't have tax on food, but taxes were high on everything else."In September 2022, they decided to move with their RV to rural Missouri in a city of 2,500 called Mountain View, and within a week, they found a house. Within two weeks, they sold their Florida home for $319,000, about six times what she bought it for in 1994."Moving everything and packing was quite an effort at our age, and then we renovated the house to boot, so it's been quite an ordeal to move back," Meaders said. "But I feel more peaceful here, and it feels actually safer than being in Florida."The couple bought the three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home for $150,000 with two-thirds of an acre of space.In Missouri, they pay a sales tax and a higher property tax, which they acknowledged has made some bills more expensive, though car insurance is much less, and the cost of daily expenses is significantly lower. They paid $650 a year in Florida property taxes for a quarter of an acre, while they now pay $1,020 a year in Missouri. In Florida, her water bill was $70 a month, while it's just $11 in Missouri. She said her electric bill is about the same, while gas is slightly cheaper.She misses Florida's weather, though she's enjoyed having all four seasons in Missouri. She said it's taken some time to adjust to how spaced out her area is, though she finds herself driving less often and being more intentional about purchases.They've found the hospitality of everyone in their community much improved, noting that many people in her small Missouri city recently moved from California. She said during a recent brush fire, people stopped their cars to help extinguish the fire before the fire department arrived."We were putting up a new mailbox, and we had no box by the road, and a guy stopped and helped us," Meaders said. "It was snowing and it was just a neighbor somewhere, and he stopped and helped us. We've met more nice people who just do that."Have you recently moved to a new state or left the United States for a new country? Reach out to this reporter at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:nsheidlower@businessinsider.com">nsheidlower@businessinsider.com</a>.

A boomer couple left coastal Florida after 3 decades for rural Missouri because the Sunshine State 'is definitely not paradise anymore'

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Milan Novak moved from Florida's Atlantic Coast to rural Arkansas, citing the quiet of small-town life.</li><li>Novak's transition to rural life was made difficult by limited job opportunities.</li></ul>Milan Novak, 67, decided over a decade ago that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/leaving-florida-moving-to-vermont-boomer-retirement-mobile-home-2023-12">Florida's Atlantic Coast</a> wasn't right anymore for him. So he decided to move from his city of 24,000 along the beach to a town of just 900 in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/young-tech-workers-moving-to-northwest-arkansas-2023-8">rural Arkansas</a>.It took him years to adjust to the pace of life and to live on a limited income due to a lack of jobs in his new home. Still, he's valued the quiet of his community and the simplicity of life in a small town."I had no idea what the hell we were going to run into once we moved here," Novak told Business Insider. "We knew nothing of the area."While many older Americans continue <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-to-florida-from-minnesota-weather-hurricane-insurance-retirement-expensive-2024-3">moving to Florida</a>, some have told BI that Florida has lost its feeling of "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moving-from-florida-to-virginia-pros-cons-cape-coral-weather-2024-2">paradise</a>." Some have cited <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-condo-owners-prices-drop-insurance-hoa-taxes-increase-2023-3">rising home and insurance prices</a> as motivations for leaving, despite acknowledging they'll never find weather as consistently good. One couple who recently <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/leaving-florida-moving-to-missouri-pros-cons-insurance-boomer-taxes-2024-3">moved to rural Missouri</a> said they moved due to a population influx and political changes, seeking a lower cost of living.<h2>Leaving Florida and settling in Arkansas</h2>Novak was born in New Jersey but <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/democrat-moved-virginia-florida-last-year-politics-weather-cost-living-2024-4">moved to Florida</a> at 19. When he first moved, he said his small town had one traffic light and plenty of farmland, though he noticed more strip malls began to open up with worsening traffic.His father opened a small beer and wine bar, though it didn't pull in enough to support the whole family, so Novak worked at a gas station in town. He ended up working at a car dealership, building his way up to service manager at two Chrysler Dodge stores.Novak lived in Edgewater, about 20 miles south of Daytona Beach on Florida's east coast. He bought his house in the early 2000s for $181,000. He said the area became more touristy and commercialized, contributing to "ungodly" traffic, and he suspected it would be challenging to make ends meet as his area became more expensive."If I had a little more income by retirement age, I may have been able to stick it out, but I doubt it," Novak said.Eventually, he quit the car business in 2009 — though not after being persuaded back in for another two years — and wanted to shift to something entirely different. He knew he would <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/financial-independence-retire-early-fire-millennial-income-wealthy-business-owners-2024-4">retire</a> within the next decade, and he wanted to start life anew in a different part of the country, even if it meant not having a job lined up.His wife wanted to sell his 4,000-square-foot <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-moved-florida-southern-portugal-better-life-2024-4">Florida home</a>, as their kids had moved out, and he and his wife wanted to downsize.They put the house up for sale in 2011, though nobody wanted to buy it. He said they "practically gave it away" in 2012 for $185,000.They decided to look in the South Central US to be closer to family. They looked into Willow Springs, a rural city in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moved-california-missouri-bought-house-sight-unseen-2021-5">Missouri</a>'s Ozark Mountains, though every property they found was between 10 and 20 acres. Realtors also told them the area had a drug problem, though they thought the beauty of the Ozarks would be calming as he approached retirement, especially after decades of working with cars.<div type="image" title="Milan Novak's home in Arkansas" height="539" width="801" msid="109691386" hostid="261"></div>He stumbled upon a home in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, and within a week, he signed an offer. The about 1,000-square-foot, two-story home was just $38,000 with an acre of land, on which they built a barn and workshop. They moved in six months later."We just knew we bought a house three miles down a gravel road in the middle of nowhere," he said. "I knew we didn't have internet, and everything was dial-up at the time."<h2>Adjusting to rural life</h2>He knew moving from coastal Florida would come with colder temperatures. In his first two months, he got a foot of snow, followed by another two feet over the next two months. Eventually, they invested in changing their heating system and installing different doors."This house was very poorly insulated, and I went through a full tank of propane in less than a month in December," Novak said. "I was like, oh my god, did I make the right move? This is unbelievable, and at this rate, I can't afford to keep this house."He bought two four-wheelers for himself and his wife to ride around in, as many roads near him are dirt. One day, he took a ride to a creek and introduced himself to a group of locals. The group already knew him and his wife as "the two people from Florida who have got to be on the witness protection program because nobody moves from Florida to Mammoth Spring."<div type="image" title="Milan Novak's four-wheeler on a dirt road" height="1209" width="1612" msid="109691391" hostid="261"></div>Fulton County, where he lives, is a dry county, which he said was an interesting transition, though many who drive by his house carry alcohol.Without a job set up, Novak said the first few years were difficult, as the only jobs in his area paid minimum wage — which was $6.25 when he first moved. He worked for a few years at local restaurants to afford his living costs.He worked the night shift at Walmart before going back into the car business as a salesman, which he hated. His neighbor successfully ran for county judge and got him a job as his assistant, though he soon after retired as his back issues worsened. He was able to collect Social Security at 62 while his wife took a job as an administrative assistant for a flooring company, which supplied them with health insurance."There is no work around here; it's all rural. If you don't have a farm, you're not eating," Novak said. "We struggled for many years until now, and we're doing good."Now, in addition to "soaking in the quiet," he does woodworking projects and maintains his property. He said there's always something to fix or tend to, especially with having three dogs and five cats.It keeps him busy, though he said there's little to do in his area — there isn't even a grocery store, convenience store, or gas station near him. There are a handful of restaurants in the downtown, some of which get foot traffic from tourists visiting the spring. There's a small state park near him with beautiful trails, though he acknowledged it often doesn't compare to the beach."In the bank, there's a picture of Main Street back in 1914, and you'd swear you're looking at the same picture now," Novak said.He has no intention of moving, though he said his property is worth about $150,000 now, more than triple what he bought it for. His goal is just to live peacefully and try to stay healthy and active."I can't make any long plans, and I'd be lucky if we're all here tomorrow," Novak said.Have you recently moved to a new state or left the United States for a new country? Reach out to this reporter at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:nsheidlower@businessinsider.com">nsheidlower@businessinsider.com</a>.

Why a boomer left coastal Florida for a rural Arkansas town of 900 residents: 'I didn't think we'd make it' to retirement in Florida 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Three men were found dead in a well in Baja California, Mexico, after being shot on a surfing trip.</li><li>Officials believe the tourists were attacked by three people who attempted to steal their truck.</li></ul>Three men in their early 30s have been found dead in a well after being shot in the head while on a surfing trip in Baja California, Mexico.Two Australian brothers, Callum and Jake Robinson, and their American friend, Jack Carter Rhoad, were near the popular coastal town of Ensenada when they went missing last week.Their bodies were found in the 15-foot-deep well on Saturday after a dayslong search, and have since been identified by family members, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/parents-us-australian-tourists-presumed-killed-mexico-try-identifying-bodies-2024-05-05/">Reuters reported</a>.Jake, 30, had flown to the US to visit Callum, 33, who was pursuing his dream of being a professional lacrosse player. The week after his trip, Jake was due to start a new job as a doctor in Victoria, Australia. Carter Rhoad, 30, was working as an apparel designer in San Diego, the <a target="_blank" href="https://nypost.com/2024/05/05/world-news/how-mexico-surf-trip-turned-deadly-for-2-aussies-american/">New York Post</a> reported.They were last seen on 27 April and, when they didn't show up to an Airbnb booking a couple of days later, were reported missing and an investigation was launched by local authorities and the FBI.It's thought that the tourists were attacked after they defended themselves from three people who were trying to steal their truck.Baja California state prosecutor Maria Andrade suggested that the attackers wanted the truck for its tires and shot the three men in their heads when they resisted, Reuters reported.A burnt-out vehicle suspected to be the surfers' truck was also found in the area, alongside abandoned tents, and a phone linked to them.Three Mexican nationals, two men and a woman, have been arrested as suspects.A fourth body was also found in the well, but it's believed to be older and from an earlier incident, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/05/mexico-bodies-missing-men-police">Guardian reported</a>.Turf wars between drug gangs are common in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-traveling-to-cabo-san-lucas-mexico">Baja California</a>, which is one of Mexico's most dangerous and violent states. However, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/can-you-skiplag-on-cruises-2023-9">Ensenada</a> is generally considered to be safe — about 75 miles south of California, it is a popular spot for US tourists.<h2>The surfers' loved ones have paid tribute </h2><div type="image" title="Protesters with surf boards" height="683" width="1024" msid="109887906" hostid="261" sizebytes="73812"></div>Friends and family of the Robinsons and Carter Rhoad have been sharing tributes to the young men."Callum and Jake are beautiful human beings. We love them so much and this breaks our heart," the brothers' parents said in a statement, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd13vgg720jo">BBC reported</a>.Callum's teammates from Stevenson University Lacrosse Club said in a statement on social media: "With his beautiful long hair and charming smile, he truly embodied the nickname 'big koala' — warm, friendly, and always there to lend a helping hand."His girlfriend, Emily Horwath, said in an Instagram story that her heart was "shattered into a million pieces." "I don't have the words right now... I will love you forever," she wrote.Protesters and mourners took to the streets of Ensenada on Sunday to share their sadness and anger.They marched with messages on surfboards, such as "They only wanted to surf — we demand safe beaches."Surfers also held a "paddle out" ocean vigil in memory of the Robinsons and Carter Rhoad.

3 surfers shot in the head while visiting Mexico were found dead in a well, in an area where tourists are usually safe 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed more than 50 bills this month designed to combat the housing crisis. </li><li>Pro-housing advocates are celebrating this legislative session's wins. </li></ul>California is suffering from one of the country's most severe housing crises, fueled by a chronic shortage of places to live. The Golden State is now <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/california-homelessness-crisis-homegrown-unhoused-are-californians-2023-6">home to a third</a> of the country's unhoused population as lower- and middle-income residents struggle to afford homes all over the state. After repeatedly promising to tackle the crisis, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/10/11/governor-newsom-signs-package-to-streamline-housing-and-expand-tenant-protections-in-california/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more than 50 housing bills</a> this month. Pro-housing advocates say the patchwork of fixes are something of a mixed bag, but overall a strong move towards lifting burdensome regulations that make building unnecessarily costly or impossible."The wind is in our sails right now," Ned Resnikoff, policy director at the pro-housing group California YIMBY, or "Yes In My Backyard," told Insider. "There's really a lot of momentum behind efforts to solve the housing crisis in California." Here are some of the highlights from the historic slew of housing laws.<h2>Speeding up housing construction</h2>One major success of this legislative session are a few laws designed to loosen restrictions imposed by <a href="https://opr.ca.gov/ceqa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">California's Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)</a>, a broad set of regulations intended to protect environmental concerns but in recent years more notorious for slowing down or killing all kinds of housing development. "Almost anything under the sun can be considered an environmental impact" under CEQA, Chris Elmendorf, a professor at UC Davis law school, told Insider. And the unpredictability of CEQA's application adds significant costs to development. In one particularly notorious example, local opponents of a proposed student dorm building on the UC Berkeley campus drew the school into a prolonged legal battle over the construction, claiming the student residents would violate CEQA by <a href="https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-03-02/california-uc-berkeley-ceqa-housing-environment">creating noise pollution</a>. A state appellate court sided with the building's critics, but <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/newsom-signs-bill-to-clear-hurdles-for-student-housing-at-berkeleys-peoples-park/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the governor signed a bill</a>, which unanimously passed the legislature, specifically asserting that resident noise doesn't violate environmental regulations.One law the governor signed — Senate Bill 423 — extends and broadens a successful 2017 law that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/california-affordable-housing-real-estate-ignores-community-input-opposition-2023-8">has fast-tracked the construction</a> of thousands of mostly affordable homes by requiring local governments to approve multi-unit, infill housing in existing residential neighborhoods. The new law — authored by one of California's most outspoken pro-housing lawmakers, State Sen. Scott Wiener — singles out San Francisco, which has struggled to meet its state-mandated housing construction requirements in part because of its lengthy approval process. The bill will require the city to undergo annual reviews and fast-track both market-rate and affordable housing construction. Another law — Assembly Bill 1633 — will make it harder for cities to abuse CEQA to slow down or derail multi-unit infill housing construction if it complies with local requirements. "For the first time, the legislature is really saying, we really just want this environmental review to be about the environment and not about stopping projects," said Elmendorf, who helped lawmakers craft AB 1633. The law affirms "the principle that if the project is compliant with the applicable rules, and on an infill location and reasonably dense, then the city can't use environmental review as a pretext to effectively deny projects they're not allowed to deny officially."San Francisco Mayor London Breed called the law "a game changer" for her city, which has long been the poster child of housing crises. "It's going to be an exciting time for housing development in San Francisco," Breed said during a panel at the Bloomberg CityLab conference in Washington on October 19. "CEQA can't be abused like it has in the past because of changes to our state laws." Another law that's gotten a lot of attention — SB 4 — will make it easier for non-profit colleges and universities and faith-based organizations to build affordable housing on land they already own. The bill, also known as "Yes in God's Backyard," would allow organizations to bypass certain environmental regulations and permitting rules to build homes in church parking lots and other underutilized or surplus land. UC Berkeley's Terner Center for Housing Innovation <a href="https://ternercenter.berkeley.edu/research-and-policy/faith-based-and-college-land-housing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found</a> there are more than 170,000 acres of land that could be put to use under SB 4. Resnikoff noted that religious organizations are especially well-positioned to provide housing for low-income and even unhoused community members. "We have this whole network of mission-driven organizations across the entire state, many of which would be quite eager and willing to minister to the most housing-burdened in their areas, and this is a way to provide that opportunity," he said.<div type="image" title="Ten new homes in Long Beach, California at the intersection of Pine Avenue and 14th Street." height="842" width="1280" msid="104627837" hostid="261" sizebytes="70110"></div><h2>Some disappointments</h2>While Elmendorf thinks the overall progress made on housing policy this legislative session was positive, he lamented the failure of a pair of bills that would've allowed more density in single-family neighborhoods by legalizing lot subdivisions. The bills died in the legislature, which Elmendorf said speaks to lawmakers' continued reticence to stand up to homeowners.Many housing advocates are also disappointed that Newsom vetoed a bill — AB 309 — to create "social housing" on government-owned land. The proposal, authored by South Bay Assemblymember Alex Lee, would have piloted mixed-income housing developments on public land. Rather than restricting the homes to only very low-income residents, as most public housing does, residents from all socio-economic backgrounds would spend no more than 30% of their income on rent. "Just like how roads, and libraries, and schools — no matter how rich or poor you are, you still are entitled to go check out a book or go to send your kids to public school. That's the same thing with housing," Lee told Insider.Lee said he explicitly modeled the proposal off social housing programs in Vienna, Austria and Singapore that have long been <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/23/magazine/vienna-social-housing.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">celebrated by housing advocates</a> in the US and around the world. "If a modest Central European power and a modest trading commercial power in Southeast Asia can come successfully with a huge track record of social housing, why can't the most prosperous state and the most prosperous nation in the history of mankind be able to do that too?" he said. The bill passed the legislature, but Newsom vetoed it, <a href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AB-309-Veto.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arguing in a lengthy note</a> that the state doesn't have the budget capacity for the project. Resnikoff, whose organization endorsed the effort, noted that the state's current fiscal conditions make it very hard to pass housing policy that requires funding. Advocates are quick to point out that California housing policy has impacts far beyond its borders. The state's housing policies have already inspired copycat efforts across the country. Resnikoff said he saw lots of similarities between New York City Mayor Eric Adams' <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-city-real-estate-prices-housing-apartments-eric-adams-2023-9">newly-proposed housing reforms</a>, which include legalizing building small secondary housing units on one's property and boosting density in commercial corridors. How effectively California deals with its housing affordability issues also directly impacts other states' housing markets. The <a href="https://calmatters.org/california-divide/2020/01/not-the-golden-state-anymore-middle-and-low-income-people-leaving-california/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">migration of California residents</a> to places from Texas to Oregon has put additional pressure on those states to provide even more housing.

California just legalized affordable housing in church parking lots and coastal cities — and it could help solve the state's crisis

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some Southern California areas that received the most rain are also home to the rich and famous.</li><li>Beverly Hills was under a flash flood warning, while Bel Air and Woodland Hills got over 10 inches of rain.</li></ul>As an atmospheric river pounds Southern California with a historic deluge of rain, some of the hardest-hit areas also happen to be among the most desirable zip codes.Beverly Hills and the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles were both under flash flood warnings on Monday. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/02/05/california-flooding-storm-damage/">Photos from Beverly Hills</a> showed workers trying to clear roads of debris and mud that had washed in.The <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/NWSLosAngeles/status/1754437130594766898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1754437130594766898%7Ctwgr%5Ee4a1cafba05030e0b8c567bcb3c26429dc659186%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.latimes.com%2Fcalifornia%2Fstory%2F2024-02-04%2F19-rescued-from-boat-trees-topple-roads-flood-early-l-a-damage-reports-from-storm">National Weather Service in Los Angeles</a> said an "extremely dangerous situation" was unfolding in the "Hollywood Hills area and around the Santa Monica Mountains," which run into Malibu."Life threatening landslides and additional flash flooding expected overnight tonight," the NWS said in the early morning hours on Monday. "Avoid travel if at all possible."<a target="_blank" href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/malibucitycalifornia/PST045223">Malibu's</a> median household income is around $187,000 a year while in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/beverlyhillscitycalifornia/PST045223">Beverly Hills</a> it is about $117,000, according to the US Census Bureau — both well over the the median household income for the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/losangelescitycalifornia,santamonicacitycalifornia,losangelescountycalifornia/BZA010221">city of Los Angeles</a>, which is $76,000."We are seeing a lot of rescues of cars on roads, due to mud and debris flow, in the Hollywood Hills and up into the Santa Monica Mountains," Todd Hall, NWS meteorologist told the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-02-04/19-rescued-from-boat-trees-topple-roads-flood-early-l-a-damage-reports-from-storm">Los Angeles Times</a> on Monday morning. "Communities, such as Pacific Palisades, Bel Air, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, and Topanga are being affected by reports of debris flow going into homes."By Monday evening, Topanga Canyon, Woodland Hills, and Bel Air had all gotten some of the highest levels of rainfall at over 10 inches, <a target="_blank" href="https://ktla.com/news/california/how-much-rain-has-fallen-in-california-so-far-heres-a-map/">KTLA</a> reported — all areas will median household incomes well over the city or county at large, especially <a target="_blank" href="https://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/CA/Los-Angeles-County/Los-Angeles/Bel-Air-Demographics.html#:~:text=The%20average%20annual%20household%20income,a%20median%20wage%20of%20%24213%2C524.">Bel Air</a> at about $171,000.In Studio City, surging waters washed objects away from mansions in the hills, <a target="_blank" href="https://abc7news.com/los-angeles-storm-atmospheric-river-southern-california-mudslides/14388477/">The Associated Press</a> reported. "Mud, rocks, and water came rushing down through their house and another neighbor's house and into our street," resident Keki Mingus told the outlet of the water that filled the street on Monday. "I can't believe it. It looks like a river that's been here for years. I've never seen anything like it."Further from Los Angeles, other areas that draw the wealthy also tend to be at an increased risk of flooding and landslides when huge quantities of rain hit the state.Parts of Montecito — a coastal community near Santa Barbara known for attracting famous residents — were <a target="_blank" href="https://www.independent.com/2024/02/03/evacuations-ordered-for-parts-of-santa-barbara-county-ahead-of-major-storm/">under evacuation orders</a> over the weekend.In January 2023, the entire town — where Oprah, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-ellen-degeneres-creek-gushing-montecito-evacuations-flooding-california-2023-1">Ellen DeGeneres</a>, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have homes — was under a <a target="_blank" href="https://ktla.com/news/local-news/prince-harry-meghan-markle-ellen-degeneres-and-oprah-evacuate-over-heavy-rainfall/">mandatory evacuation order</a> due to flash flooding."We need to be nicer to mother nature 'cause mother nature is not happy with us," DeGeneres said at the time. "Let's all do our part. Stay safe everybody."Montecito's fire chief told the Los Angeles Times that this storm could be more intense than the one that hit in January 2023."Our slopes are saturated once again," Montecito Fire Chief David Neels <a target="_blank" href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-02-04/potentially-historic-storm-brings-highest-risk-to-southern-california">told the LA Times</a>, adding, "The likelihood of sediment mobilization is real."

You Searched For "coastal areas" and got 10 results

Buying an EV may be a somewhat dangerous move if you live near the sea

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I skip the Hamptons and head to a coastal town in Connecticut instead. It's less crowded and wonderful year-round.

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My family has traveled to 33 states, but none has wowed us as much as this coastal gem — and, no, it's not Hawaii

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Netflix airing NFL games on Christmas will be the streaming giant's biggest test for its next area of growth

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A Texas coastal engineer says a simple home-buying decision saved his house from Hurricane Harvey — and could help other home-owners in flood zones

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A boomer couple left coastal Florida after 3 decades for rural Missouri because the Sunshine State 'is definitely not paradise anymore'

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Why a boomer left coastal Florida for a rural Arkansas town of 900 residents: 'I didn't think we'd make it' to retirement in Florida

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3 surfers shot in the head while visiting Mexico were found dead in a well, in an area where tourists are usually safe

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California just legalized affordable housing in church parking lots and coastal cities — and it could help solve the state's crisis

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Southern California neighborhoods that attract the rich and famous are also some of the hardest-hit areas during major storms

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