On September 2, Hermine became the first hurricane to make landfall on United States soil in 11 years.
A Category 1 hurricane when it moved over Florida from west to east, Hermine was downgraded by the National Weather Service to a post-tropical cyclone as it progressed to the northeast, according to insurance publication National Underwriter Property & Casualty. Nonetheless, the storm brought high winds, heavy rain and floods to the southern states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and northward.
Karen Clark & Company, a catastrophe loss estimation and risk management firm, predicted insured losses from Hermine “will likely approach $500 million, with total economic damages close to $1 billion,” as reported by National Underwriter Property & Casualty.
After the passage of the storm, it’s timely to think anew about hurricane preparation:
September 10: That’s the statistical peak day of hurricane season activity in the United States.
Are you and your business prepared for that day when a hurricane might bring wind, rain and/or storm surge to your plant, office, warehouse, construction site or other location?
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 with a peak in activity right around September 10. Before Hermine, recent years passed without a major storm such as 2012’s Superstorm Sandy (which, while severe, technically was not a hurricane). It’s human nature that, over time, such a lack of emergency can cause complacency.
But business owners, community leaders and consumers — in states ranging from Florida north to Virginia and west to Texas — can’t continue to hold their proverbial breath that hurricane season will continue to be quiet again this year, or any year.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasters predict a return to normal historical patterns in 2016. In early August, they opined a 70% chance of 12 to 17 named storms. Five to eight of those are expected to become hurricanes, including two to four major hurricanes.
| Named Storms | Hurricanes | Major Hurricanes | |
| August 2016 Forecast | 12-17 | 5-8 | 2-4 |
| Seasonal Average | 12 | 6 | 3 |
It only takes one storm to change your life, business, home and community, warns NOAA.
Businesses up and down the eastern seaboard and along the gulf coast need to be ready for the next storm. The wind, rain, and storm surge of a hurricane can cause extensive and widespread damage along the coast. These threats also can endanger people and property hundreds of miles inland.
Commercial property insurance can cover losses from wind damage after they occur. But prevention can help businesses and organizations avoid or minimize losses from hurricanes and storms.
Four key agencies of the U.S. government offer information on hurricane preparedness on their websites: NOAA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Hurricane Center, and the Small Business Administration. Additionally, the American Red Cross offers storm preparedness information.
The National Hurricane Center has a helpful site for preparedness.
Amerisure has honed in on seven key steps that policyholders can take to protect their businesses. Visit Amerisure’s Industry Tools website section.
If you are an Amerisure policyholder, our team is standing by to help with any claims that could be covered by commercial property or commercial automobile insurance. Reach us here online or via phone or email with your insurance questions or concerns.
