A recent study from Portland State University assessed the likelihood of environmental hazard risks, identifying many “multi-hazard hotspots” — areas that are at risk of overlapping climate hazards — along Interstate 205.

The study looked at four climate risks, including fire, urban heat, flooding and landslides. The researchers note that these hotspots are the same areas that have dealt with chronic underinvestment and that these areas are home to a higher proportion of lower median incomes.

Justin Huber, a doctoral student and research assistant at PSU, joins us to tell us more about this research and how identifying these high-risk areas can help cities approach more equitable emergency services and hazard mitigation.

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/08/31/psu-east-portland-climate-hazard-tol/