Strong Hurricane Season Provides Lessons Learned

by Janette Ballman

Experts predicted a strong hurricane season and they were not wrong. This year’s hurricane season has become the most expensive in U.S. history, according to industry estimates. Four strong hurricanes hit Florida within six weeks, a feat that has not happened to any state since the early 19th century. The estimated costs are expected to reach $22 billion, second only to the $32 billion in insured losses from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to the Insurance Information Institute, an industry group. Some $14.5 billion in federal aid has been approved for Florida as the state struggles to rebuild businesses, homes and the economy.

Florida’s economy is the fourth largest in the U.S., meaning a decline in that state’s revenue would have a ripple effect across the nation. Experts predict consumers will pay more for gas, construction materials and citrus products in the near future. Insurance policy changes could also be implemented.

Business owners across the nation should take note of the lessons learned from this hurricane season. Natural disasters of any type require solid preparation and recovery strategies. Organizations in Florida are finding their resources stretched to the limit as they attempt to return to normalcy. Could your business survive multiple disasters? Has your firm planned for long-term damage? This hurricane season has served as an eye-opener – for those in Florida – and across the nation.

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Fall 2004 - Cover Article

Winds of Change
Hurricanes Devastate Florida Businesses

By Janette Ballman

Four hurricanes within six weeks have wreaked havoc on businesses across the state of Florida. From the panhandle to the southern tip, the state has been battered by four violent storms – leaving thousands of businesses damaged and owners scrambling to recover.
Hurricane Charley hit on Aug. 13 on the western coast; Hurricane Frances came ashore on the eastern side Sept. 5; Ivan hit the panhandle on Sept. 16; and Jeanne smashed the already battered eastern coast on Sept. 26.
Insurance experts are predicting more than $20 billion in losses from the four hurricanes, making this storm season one of the most costly ever. The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) is expected to distribute more than $8 billion in federal assistance, the largest the organization has ever spent for a natural disaster.
Across the state, the rebuilding process is underway as numerous businesses recover from high winds, flooding, tornadoes and torrential rainfall.
While damage assessments from Ivan and Jeanne are still being tallied, those businesses that were hit by Charley and Frances have had a few weeks to begin the recovery process. Their progress has been slow, but the lessons learned can provide an insight into the ordeal many Florida business owners are experiencing during this record-breaking hurricane season.

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Additional Articles Found in Fall 2004 Issue of DRJ

• Winds of Change
• Forecasting Charley’s Path of Destruction
• Emergency Notification Technology Improves Response
  A False Sense of Security
• Test First, Then Plan
• Lessons Learned
• Remote Data Recovery Provides Fast Solution
• Preventing Information Theft
• Attacks in Spain Impact U.S. Trains
• Missing Components?
• National Medical Response Teams Answer The Call
• Who’s In Charge
• The First Line of Defense for Disaster Recovery
• Fall World 2004 Sees Increased Attendance
• Data Explosion Challenges Your Disaster Recovery Plans
• Business Continuity for the PC
• 2004 Business Continuity Planning Software Survey (PDF)

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