Augusta University
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Hurricanes are devastating storm systems that must be taken seriously from the moment they develop. As Hurricane Helene demonstrated, these powerful systems can cause life-altering damage in many forms. While these powerful combinations of high winds and heavy rain are forces of nature that can’t be stopped, the havoc they wreak can be reduced before and after they reach land. This can happen through careful preparation and the implementation of a solid hurricane recovery plan.
To learn more, check out the infographic below, created by Augusta University Online, which offers a Master of Public Health program.
The Impact of a Hurricane
The damage from a hurricane when it makes landfall can be brutal. Its impact can also affect communities and their residents in many ways.
Economic Impact
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office for Coastal Management, the U.S. had 60 weather and climate disasters that exceeded $1 billion in damage from 2020 to 2022. The organization also notes that from 1980 to August 2023, the estimated damage from weather and climate disasters totaled $2.6 trillion. Major causes of the damage were not only hurricanes but also floods, severe storms and wildfires.
The Human Cost
An average of about 100 Americans died each year from hurricanes from 2000 to 2021, according to the data aggregate site Statista. Its records also indicate that the highest number of fatalities occurred during the 2005 hurricane season.
Infamous Hurricanes
In August 1992, Hurricane Andrew made landfall on the southern coast of Florida and the Gulf Coast of the United States. According to the National Weather Service, the hurricane caused significant damage to the Miami, Florida, area and substantial damage to south-central Louisiana. Andrew ultimately caused 26 fatalities and $27.3 billion in total damage.
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the northern Gulf Coast and leveled the greater New Orleans, Louisiana, area. The weather service notes that Katrina also inflicted damage to Alabama, Mississippi and western Florida. Katrina caused 1,833 fatalities. It also caused an estimated $108 billion in damages ($200 billion when adjusted for inflation), making it the costliest hurricane in U.S. history.
In August 2021, Hurricane Ida made landfall on the northern Gulf Coast, impacting the Southeast and the Eastern Seaboard. The weather service notes that it caused catastrophic damage to southeastern Louisiana, while the official website of the city of New York, NYC.gov, reported that the hurricane caused widespread damage to New York City, New York. Ida caused 87 fatalities and $75 billion in damages.
In September 2022, Hurricane Ian made landfall on the southeastern U.S. coastline, battering South Carolina and North Carolina. It also caused substantial damage to the Fort Myers, Florida, area. According to Britannica, Ian caused approximately 160 fatalities and between $50 billion and $65 billion in total damage.
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall on the southeastern U.S. coastline. CNN reported that it caused widespread flooding in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, and it inflicted significant damage in western North Carolina. Helene caused approximately $47.5 billion in property losses across 16 states, and caused estimated private market-insured losses of between $8 billion and $14 billion. In particular, wind, rain-based flooding and storm surges in the mid-Atlantic region caused estimated losses of at least $11 billion. Helene caused more than 230 fatalities — the deadliest mainland hurricane since Katrina, according to ABC News.
How to Prepare For a Hurricane
While hurricanes can be disastrous, communities and individuals can mitigate their destruction through strategic, proactive planning.
Hurricane Preparedness for Communities
The first step in community preparation is establishing a planning committee. When defining the committee’s responsibilities, certain parameters must be considered, such as budget, location, community demographics and communication strategies with residents.
The committee must also build a hurricane preparedness plan that contains emergency contact numbers, evacuation maps, designation shelter locations and locations for emergency supplies. Finally, it’s important for the committee to reevaluate the plan, revisiting it annually to see if any changes are necessary.
Hurricane Preparedness for Businesses
Businesses must develop an evacuation plan that keeps both employees and visitors safe from harm. A proper business hurricane plan comprises several components. These include defining the conditions for plan activation; establishing a chain of command; confirming delegated emergency functions; and defining evacuation procedures, such as establishing exit routes.
Organizations also need to establish methods to account for workers, visitors and customers should disaster strike. Additionally, organizations need to ensure that they have proper equipment associated with their plans, and they must hold periodic evacuation drills.
Hurricane Preparedness for Individuals
Individuals should prepare by having several essential items handy in the event of a hurricane. These items include emergency food and water, medicine, safety and personal items. They also include items to handle sudden structural issues, such as emergency power sources and a fire extinguisher. They should also have vital documents, such as medical records, passports, personal identification and wills, stowed in an easily accessible place.
Some forms of individual preparedness involve larger-scale preparation. This includes preparing a vehicle for a quick escape, routinely checking news outlets for hurricane updates, contacting hospitals or first response units regarding any disabled or family members with special needs, and keeping pets in a safe place. There are also vital steps to take to prepare the home for potential damage, such as clearing debris from the yard, covering doors and windows, turning off power and checking carbon monoxide levels.
Benefits of Hurricane Preparedness
Regardless of the type of hurricane preparedness, getting ready for a hurricane’s potential impact yields several key advantages. These include reduced damage costs, increased protection of loved ones and colleagues, and assurance that insurance policies are in place and up to date. These can all give an individual greater peace of mind.
How to Build a Hurricane Recovery Plan
Hurricane preparedness can help mitigate damage, but it can’t stop a hurricane from coming. Therefore, having a plan to properly recover from a hurricane is crucial.
What Is a Hurricane Recovery Plan?
A hurricane recovery plan is a plan that concentrates on restoring and rebuilding communities and businesses after a hurricane. These plans can also apply to other natural disasters.
A hurricane recovery plan comprises several key components. For example, each plan contains a risk assessment that evaluates the hazards potentially facing an organization. It also has a business impact analysis that allows for proper assessment of how the risks may impact key organizational aspects, such as finance, operations and reputation. Additionally, a recovery plan should involve realistic recovery goals, including strategies that meet these goals.
A hurricane recovery plan also features strategies for restoring data, covering the protection and restoration of both on-site and cloud-based data. Additionally, the plan should contain communication and notification strategies focused on notifying employees and customers about the operational status and service restoration. Those building a hurricane recovery plan should also create a list of roles and responsibilities that designates people for specific tasks, including duties associated with each task. Finally, an organization needs to develop testing and training plans that simulate recovery scenarios, which can allow it to identify and correct any vulnerabilities in its plan.
Be Proactive, Be Prepared
A hurricane recovery plan is an essential part of any hurricane preparedness strategy. Having one established can help spell the difference between a slow road and a fast lane to recovery.
Sources
ABC News, “Hurricane Helene Updates: Death Toll Surpasses 230 as Rescue Efforts Continue”
Associa, How to Prepare Your Community for a Hurricane
Britannica, “Hurricane Ian”
CNN, “As Hurricane Milton Threatens the US, Helene Could Cost Property Owners More Than $47 Billion”
InvenioIT, “2024 Hurricane Season Could Be the Worst Ever. Is Your Disaster Recovery Plan Ready?”
National Weather Service, Hurricane Andrew 1992
National Weather Service, Hurricane Ida 2021
National Weather Service, Hurricane Katrina – August 2005
NOAA Office for Coastal Management, Hurricane Costs
NYC.gov, Hurricane Ida
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Hurricane Preparedness and Response
Realized Solutions Inc., 7 Key Components in an Effective Disaster Recovery Plan
Statista, Number of Deaths Due to Hurricanes in the United States From 2000 to 2021
Tidal Basin, National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2023
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Preparing for Hurricanes or Other Tropical Storms
