The Weather As A Stimulus To Our Economy.......
Just now I'm listening to the live news conference of Gov. Quinn (IL) declaring the state a disaster area because of the snowstorms (Hercules & Ion) that brought mounds of snow, drifts, black ice and loads of accidents around the state as well as the polar vortex that has plunged Illinois and the Midwest in general into life threatening frigid cold.
I reflected back on the tornadoes of November that devastated some towns in Illinois and floods of the summer and this is just in the State of Illinois.
Then I got to thinking about all the weather related disasters that this country endured throughout the 50 states over the last year and the destruction that resulted from these disasters.
All these weather related incidents put people to work - repairing downed power lines, plowing roadways, rebuilding houses and businesses - not mentioning all the equipment and supplies that are needed in the process (i.e,, salt, sand, plywood, sandbags, etc). You get the idea. When houses are rebuilt - they need to be re-equipped with appliances, furniture, paint, window treatments, etc. Seems to me all this creates demand that can in turn put others to work to make and replace that which is purchased.
Tons and tons of money are spent because of weather related disasters.
The thought occurred to me that all this weather related action - is a stimulus to the economy.
I was just wondering if there is a body somewhere in this country that quantifies all this weather related cost and spending and it's effect on the economy. I get the impression that it could make a difference - but I might be wrong and it might only be a drop in the bucket.
Does anyone out there on DU have any info that can either support or refute this?
