Researchers warn that proper preparation is the only way for businesses to survive catastrophic storm

Be ready: Researchers predict a category five hurricane could destroy thousands of buildings and permanently cripple businesses.

By Business Observer Staff
| 12:00 p.m. May 27, 2021
| 2 Free Articles Remaining!

NOAA: Project Phoenix 2.0 warns that a category 5 hurricane could cause more than $28 billion in damage and destroy more than 103,000 buildings

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

With the 2021 hurricane season just about to kick off, the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council is warning business owners to take potential storms seriously. “We live in a beautiful area, but we also know we live in a vulnerable area,” Sean Sullivan, executive director of the Planning Council, tells Coffee Talk.

The council is sounding the alarm after findings from its Project Phoenix 2.0, created to study the effects of a catastrophic storm in the area. It found that 60% of smalls businesses and commercial buildings would be severely damaged or destroyed if Tampa Bay got hit by a category 5 hurricane.

A category 5 storm, according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, has sustained winds of 157 mph or higher. Sustained wind speed is the average speed over two minutes.

What researchers found is that if a storm of that size were to hit the area, 103,679 buildings would suffer significant damage or be wiped out completely. The storm would cause $28.5 billion in structural damage — up 64% from a previous study in 2009.

Preparation station

Preparation station

Some tips to remember when preparing your business for a hurricane include:

• Organize a staff team to create your plan;

• Gather critical documents and information needed for decision-making;

• Identify and prioritize the company’s most important operations and processes;

• Identify hazards and potential disruptions to your operations;

• Keep it simple: design a plan that is easy to understand and implement;

• Create a communications strategy and plan to use it post-emergency. Maintain an up-to-date emergency contact list for employees, vendors, suppliers, and other key stakeholders;

• Recruit and train employee volunteers that can effectively manage the response;

• Take action to mitigate the potential impact of a disaster on equipment, buildings, facilities, inventory, and storage. Consider your insurance options and whether to purchase a generator;and

• Exercise, test, and update your plan at least annually.

Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation via Project Phoenix 2.0

The storm, according to models, would damage or destroy roads and power sources, essential infrastructure, centers of business and homes. In short, the findings say a storm of that size would make it “impossible for small businesses to survive if they haven’t done proper planning.”

Researchers looked at how at how a storm of that magnitude would affect Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Pasco, Citrus and Hernando counties. While the focus is on a category five storm, it’s important to note smaller storms can cause significant damage. “Complacency during hurricane season is really scary,” Sullivan says, adding, “don’t let your guard down.”