Businesses nationwide are still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ongoing supply chain delays, labor shortages and inflation are just some of the challenges businesses are trying to navigate. To compound these issues, as businesses in our coastal state work to recover from a once-in-a-century public health crisis, they must also prepare for the Atlantic hurricane season from June 1-Nov. 30.
Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center — a division of the National Weather Service — are predicting above-average hurricane activity this year, which would make it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season. NOAA predicts a 65% chance of an above-normal season, a 25% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
Estimates indicate that 40% of small businesses never reopen following a disaster and 75% of…
