Disaster Partnerships
Thursday, July 19th, 2001 PropertyPrior to 1989, most insured disaster losses were caused by wind and hail, and, thanks to a long period of hurricane inactivity or other major catastrophes, the insurance industry’s response activities were limited to isolated incidents where adjusters would talk their way into disaster areas at police barricades. Things began to change in a big way in 1989. In September of that year, Hurricane Hugo ripped through the Carolinas and devastated the beautiful city of Charleston and the coastal communities north of Charleston. The storm continued inland some 200 miles into North Carolina. The insurance industry responded immediately, sending troops of adjusters to the devastated areas following the storm. Unfortunately, they could not begin the critical work they needed to — and which those communities needed them to do — because access to damaged areas was denied.
