So, Hurricane Sandy may cost $50 billion. OK. But I wonder how much the typical "nice" day costs? How much does a sunny day cost in damage done by the sun? How much does a gentle rain cost?
It's like the cold spell (or heat wave) that is said to have claimed X number of lives. How many people does a pleasant day kill? How many people die doing things on a nice day who would have survived had the weather been nasty enough to keep them inside?
When calculating these things- if that is even a valid goal- you should subtract out the cost in money and lives that would have been "spent" anyway. I have my doubts that this is done, since the larger the number, the more dramatic the news and the more emotions will be inflamed.
Everything has a cost. Be prepared so that you aren't caught off-guard. Then, enjoy the wind and rain. Don't fear the uncertainty.
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