Following the devastation Hurricane Dorian caused on the Bahamas, the storm is making its way to the U.S., where it's expected to make landfall in the Carolinas. Before that, however, it will threaten Florida's east coast. Companies there are bracing for the impact the hurricane might have on their business.
Jet Fresh Flower Distributors in Miami are also warning of the potential lower availability of their products:
Potential crop losses
The University of Florida warns of potential crop losses, although their warning focuses on food crops such as citrus. According to Christa Court, director of the Economic Analysis Program for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, it’s too early to know just how closely the storm’s eye will approach Florida or how much damage the storm will cause. However, Dorian could impact counties in eastern Florida because bands of wind and rain can extend outward many miles from the eye as the storm rotates, she noted. The university has been helping locals prepare for the storm.
Airports closed
Logistics is another area in which Dorian could cause problems, with several airports closing. "The only logistic issues are that the Ports of Ft. Lauderdale and Miami were closed yesterday and today for incoming shipments and along with the Ft. Lauderdale airport for outgoing shipments from noon yesterday to noon today", Christine Boldt with the Association of Floral Importers of Florida told us.
"The Miami airport has been open the whole time and the truck lines have been running without issues", she adds. "The storm is starting to move so hopefully it will stay offshore and not cause any severe damage to the coast of Florida or other states going North."
Still, several airports are closed as a precaution while the storm passes. For more information on flight statuses and airport closures, check out Delta's website.
More information
- The FNGLA has a Disaster Assistance page up, with helpful information on how to prepare for the storm and what to do afterwards.
- NC State Extension also offers useful tips on how to weather the storm, through their NC Disaster Information Center.
- For general updates on Hurricane Dorian, see the National Hurricane Center.