Hi Darryl -

Boats get tied down or put in garages. I've weathered the last several storms in an 1960's brick house on high ground. Most businesses shut down in the first few days after a big storm, and slowly reopen as power comes back on. Some people make a living during this time moving debris, cutting trees, making repairs, etc. Kirk's entire beach crew converted themselves from jet-ski rental and parasail boat captains to a dock repair company, which is still thriving a year after the storm - no loss of income and plenty to do.

Insurance in Florida is now state and federally managed - it is more expensive than private insurance (and will be more so next year) but nobody is turned away. There are strict requirements - for example, if your older home is more than 50% damaged, it must be torn down and a new built-to-code house constructed. There is talk that Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana will follow Florida's example now, as private insurance companies pull out of areas where the current profit margins can't be maintained.