Observed Changes in the Frequency, Intensity, and Spatial Patterns of Nine Natural Hazards in the United States from 2000 to 2019

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The study presented in article is topical and adds new insight on the existing problem of climate change effect on natural hazard events. The study applies scientifically sound methodology and presents valuable results. The methodology lacks empirical description in the paper. Also, the text should be reconsidered throughout the paper to make it more fluent and easier for reader to understand the presented study. 

Author Response

Unfortunately, there is no point-by-point review to address. We appreciate the reviewer's positive comments and have modified the overall succinctness of the manuscript, made moderate English changes regarding subject-verb tense issues and attempted to improve the overall content of the manuscript. We have attempted to make the methodology section that addresses data collection and compilation more empirically as well as the analyses methods used for testing. We accept that the content sometimes could be more fluent and easier to understand and have tried to alter the manuscript to do so.

Reviewer 2 Report

The comments for the authors may be found in the attached file (Review Sustainability.docx).

Comments for author File: Comments.docx

Author Response

The authors appreciate the reviewer's direct and specific comments as well as the kind words in the comments. We have attempted to address all of them in the revised manuscript. Specific adjustments are noted below:

Abstract: We modified the abstract to address the reviewer's concerns

Introduction: We have addressed the reviewer's concerns in the revised manuscript and added the materials requested. Added requested items

Methods: Created a workflow diagram. Deleted lines 146-148. Provided some explanation of 5-year periods. Anderson-Darling test application to 6/9 natural hazards is listed in line 156. Reference in Step 3 (original lines 172-173) is the requirement of the journal (Unfortunately, user has to copy the address and input it). Additional references to Table 1 are included throughout..

Results: Incorporated workflow for Tables 2 and 3 into overall workflow Figure 1. Added information concerning specific climate change factors related to specific natural hazards. Resubmitted links to cites (problem may be revised spacing by journal). Addressed concerns about earthquakes. 

Conclusions: Added hypothesis testing results.