Hurricane Michael

Publix named on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 1, 2024

Publix has been recognized on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list for 2024, ranking No.

Key Points: 
  • Publix has been recognized on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list for 2024, ranking No.
  • The company has been named on the list annually since 1996.
  • “At Publix, we pride ourselves in helping our communities and establishing a culture where we care for and respect our associates,” said Publix Director of Communications Maria Brous.
  • “We’re honored to be named by Fortune as one of the most admired companies in the world.”
    Publix is dedicated to taking care of its associates.

AshBritt Foundation Supports Nancy J. Cotterman Center

Retrieved on: 
Friday, January 5, 2024

The AshBritt Foundation has committed $100,000 to the Nancy J. Cotterman Center in Broward County, Florida.

Key Points: 
  • The AshBritt Foundation has committed $100,000 to the Nancy J. Cotterman Center in Broward County, Florida.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240105635185/en/
    Randy Perkins, Founder and Chairman of AshBritt and the AshBritt Foundation, and AshBritt Chief Executive Officer, Brittany Perkins Castillo, commit $100,000 from the AshBritt Foundation to the Nancy J. Cotterman Center in Broward County, Florida at a recent Broward County Commissioners meeting.
  • (Photo: Business Wire)
    Randy Perkins, Founder and Chairman of AshBritt and the AshBritt Foundation, and AshBritt Chief Executive Officer, Brittany Perkins Castillo, presented the check at a recent Broward County Commissioners meeting.
  • The donation will be instrumental in funding operating supplies and needs of the Nancy J. Cotterman Center, including books and toys, clothes, and medical supplies for the center.

Rhonda Hammond, AIA Becomes 2024 President of AIA Florida

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 30, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhonda Hammond, AIA, is the new president of the Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects, or AIA Florida.

Key Points: 
  • TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhonda Hammond, AIA, is the new president of the Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects, or AIA Florida.
  • Hammond has served at her local chapter of AIA in Tallahassee in many positions, including president in 2019 and at the state level as vice president, chairing the Advocacy Committee.
  • "We are excited to bring Rhonda Hammond's vision of why architecture matters to membership and the community at large in the coming year," said AIA Florida Executive Vice President/CEO Becky Magdaleno, CAE.
  • The Florida Association of the American Institute of Architects, headquartered in Tallahassee, represents the interests of more than 4,000 members in Florida.

2023 National Disaster Resilience Conference Announces Award Honorees

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 7, 2023

CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla., Nov. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Disaster Resilience Conference (NDRC) today announced its 2023 resilience leadership awards for individuals who champion disaster safety and resilience. The NDRC and nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) will honor the eight individuals today during the award luncheon at its annual gathering in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Key Points: 
  • CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla., Nov. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Disaster Resilience Conference (NDRC) today announced its 2023 resilience leadership awards for individuals who champion disaster safety and resilience.
  • The Dr. Ernst W. Kiesling Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for individuals whose lifelong dedication leaves an indelible, positive impact on the disaster safety and resilience movement.
  • The FLASH Partnership Award recognizes a leader whose collaborative nature and dedication foster success and advance disaster resilience.
  • The FLASH Education Award celebrates excellence in educating individuals, communities, and organizations about disaster resilience.

Acapulco was built to withstand earthquakes, but not Hurricane Otis' destructive winds – how building codes failed this resort city

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 7, 2023

While Acapulco’s oceanfront high-rises were built to withstand the region’s powerful earthquakes, they had a weakness.

Key Points: 
  • While Acapulco’s oceanfront high-rises were built to withstand the region’s powerful earthquakes, they had a weakness.
  • Since powerful hurricanes are rare in Acapulco, Mexico’s building codes didn’t require that their exterior materials be able to hold up to extreme winds.
  • Otis’ powerful winds ripped off exterior cladding and shattered windows, exposing bedrooms and offices to the wind and rain.


I have worked on engineering strategies to enhance disaster resilience for over three decades and recently wrote a book, “The Blessings of Disaster,” about the gambles humans take with disaster risk and how to increase resilience. Otis provided a powerful example of one such gamble that exists when building codes rely on probabilities that certain hazards will occur based on recorded history, rather than considering the severe consequences of storms that can devastate entire cities.

The fatal flaw in building codes

  • Building codes typically provide “probabilistic-based” maps that specify wind speeds that engineers must consider when designing buildings.
  • Some models may include additional considerations, but these are still typically anchored in known experience.
  • Return periods are a somewhat arbitrary assessment of what is a reasonable balance between minimizing risk and keeping building costs reasonable.

How probability left Acapulco exposed

  • According to the Mexican building code, hotels, condos and other commercial and office buildings in Acapulco must be designed to resist 88 mph winds, corresponding to the strongest wind likely to occur on average once every 50 years there.
  • A 200-year return period for wind is used for essential facilities, such as hospital and school buildings, corresponding to 118 mph winds.
  • The probability wind maps for both return periods show Acapulco experiences lower average wind speeds than much of the 400 miles of Mexican coast north of the city.
  • Yet, Acapulco is a major city, with a metropolitan population of over 1 million.

Florida faces similiar challenges

  • For example, new buildings along most of Florida’s coast must be able to resist 140 mph winds or greater, but there are a few exceptions.
  • A 2023 update to the Florida Building Code raised the minimum wind speed to approximately 140 mph in Mexico Beach, the Panhandle town that was devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018.

Acapulco’s earthquake design weakness

  • As a result, the lateral-load-resisting structural systems in tall buildings there are designed to resist seismic forces that are generally larger than hurricane forces.
  • However, a drawback is that the larger the mass of a building, the larger the seismic forces the building must be designed to resist.

A ‘good engineering approach’ to hazards

  • A better building code could go one step beyond “good science” probabilistic maps and adopt a “good engineering approach” by taking stock of the consequences of extreme events occurring, not just the odds that they will.
  • Unfortunately, as I explain in “The Blessings of Disaster,” we will see more extreme disasters before society truly becomes disaster resilient.


Michel Bruneau does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Verisk Estimates Industry Insured Losses from Hurricane Idalia Will Range from USD 2.5 Billion to USD 4 Billion

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 4, 2023

BOSTON, Sept. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verisk (Nasdaq: VRSK), a leading global data analytics and technology provider, estimates industry insured losses to onshore property for Hurricane Idalia will range from USD 2.5 billion to USD 4 billion.

Key Points: 
  • BOSTON, Sept. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verisk (Nasdaq: VRSK), a leading global data analytics and technology provider, estimates industry insured losses to onshore property for Hurricane Idalia will range from USD 2.5 billion to USD 4 billion.
  • The industry loss estimate includes estimated wind damage and insured estimates of storm surge across Idalia’s track.
  • At around 7:45 a.m. EDT on August 30, Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Taylor County within Florida’s Big Bend region, near Keaton Beach, as a Category 3 hurricane.
  • A major hurricane similar to Idalia has not impacted this region for over 125 years, since the unnamed hurricane in 1896.

Everbridge Empowers State and Local Governments to Enhance Preparedness and Resilience for 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 1, 2023

Everbridge , Inc. (Nasdaq: EVBG), the global leader in critical event management (CEM) and national Public Warning solutions, today announced its commitment to supporting state and local governments as the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially begins today, June 1, and runs through November 30.

Key Points: 
  • Everbridge , Inc. (Nasdaq: EVBG), the global leader in critical event management (CEM) and national Public Warning solutions, today announced its commitment to supporting state and local governments as the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially begins today, June 1, and runs through November 30.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230601005670/en/
    Everbridge Empowers State and Local Governments to Enhance Preparedness and Resilience for 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season (Graphic: Business Wire)
    “Effective communication between emergency managers, first responders, search and rescue teams, and the general public remains critical in saving lives during hurricanes,” emphasized David Wagner, CEO of Everbridge.
  • During the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, the Everbridge platform was used by many communities along the eastern seaboard and Gulf Coast to communicate critical safety information to residents and employees.
  • By taking proactive measures and prioritizing preparedness and resilience, state and local governments can help keep their communities safe and informed during times of crisis.

Publix commemorates millionth tree planted with the Arbor Day Foundation

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 19, 2023

For the seventh consecutive year, Publix Super Markets is supporting the Arbor Day Foundation by funding tree plantings to support reforestation projects throughout Florida.

Key Points: 
  • For the seventh consecutive year, Publix Super Markets is supporting the Arbor Day Foundation by funding tree plantings to support reforestation projects throughout Florida.
  • To commemorate the millionth tree planted and in honor of National Plant Something Day, a tree-planting ceremony was held at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, Florida.
  • “We’re proud to commemorate the millionth tree milestone at Bonnet Springs Park alongside the Arbor Day Foundation,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones.
  • Moving forward, Publix plans to expand tree plantings to other states within the company’s operating area, creating an even more widespread impact.

Gilbane Federal Awarded Contract to Build Littoral Innovation and Prototyping Facility Project

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 19, 2023

PANAMA CITY, Fla., Jan. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Gilbane Federal has been awarded a multiple award construction contract by Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southeast for the construction of a Littoral Innovation and Prototyping Facility at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Panama City, Florida. The project supports the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PDC) and will replace nine buildings that received damage from Hurricane Michael in October 2018. The award to Gilbane Federal represents a $58.5 million fixed-price task order.

Key Points: 
  • PANAMA CITY, Fla., Jan. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Gilbane Federal has been awarded a multiple award construction contract by Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southeast for the construction of a Littoral Innovation and Prototyping Facility at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Panama City, Florida.
  • The award to Gilbane Federal represents a $58.5 million fixed-price task order.
  • "Gilbane is proud to play a role in supporting innovation and the expansion of research and testing capabilities by building this new facility for the Navy," said Heidi DeBenedetti, Chief Administrative Officer and Regional President.
  • "We look forward to beginning the construction process and realizing this important project for NAVFAC and NSWC PDC."

Benjamin Bomhoff Wins Award for “CTO of the Year” at Excellence in Insurance Innovation, Sponsored by Insurity

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 31, 2022

Insurity , a leading provider of cloud-based software for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs, today announced that Benjamin Bomhoff is the recipient of the CTO of the Year award at Excellence in Insurance Innovation.

Key Points: 
  • Insurity , a leading provider of cloud-based software for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs, today announced that Benjamin Bomhoff is the recipient of the CTO of the Year award at Excellence in Insurance Innovation.
  • Bomhoff currently is the Chief Technology Officer at Fleming Insurance Holdings, a reinsurance carrier specializing in providing liquidity and risk transfer solutions to the middle market insurance sector.
  • Prior to Fleming Insurance Holdings, Bomhoff spent nearly a decade in Florida in the personal lines market.
  • Insurity admires his dedication to excellence, long-term vision for innovation, and ongoing commitment to making that vision a reality.