Document Type

Blog Post

Publication Date

2-17-2025

Abstract

Seven days into the 2025 new year, the most expensive natural disaster in United States history broke out. 29 people were killed, and at least 16,000 structures were destroyed. Damages estimations have been varied. One analyst firm reasoned the fires could cost as much as $35 billion[3], another thought $45 billion, and the University of Southern California thinks $75 billion. Among the hardest hit neighborhoods was Altadena, California. Northwest Altadena stood as one of the few areas black families could purchase homes in Southern California, as “81% of Black households in Altadena own homes, compared with 32% across Los Angeles County.” Moreover, the median value of a black household in Altadena was 48% higher than the national average. While residents of Altadena and other Southern California neighborhoods begin rebuilding efforts amid the difficulties of navigating toxic waste, State Farm got to work by “urge[ing] the state’s insurance regulator to approve an emergency hike in rates” to offset the large payouts the company will be forced to make.

The print edition of the issue has also been released. This post was originally published on the Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution website on February 17, 2025.

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