Protection in a Changing World: Where Do We Go From Here?

The Inevitability of Natural Disasters/ Future-proofing your business

We’re living in a new era, one where natural disasters are no longer the exception, but increasingly frequent, intensified, and devastating events. From inland flash floods to record-setting hurricanes, the risks are growing– and so is the need for proactive protection.

Recent Examples That Illustrate the Threat

Hurricane Helene – Western North Carolina (Sept 2024)

Helene unleashed historic flooding and landslides across Buncombe County and Asheville:

• Up to 30 inches of rain fell in high mountain areas, shattering previous records.¹
• More than 700,000 Duke Energy customers in North Carolina lost power, including over 100,000 in Buncombe County alone.²
• At least 43 people died in Buncombe County; statewide, 78 fatalities occurred—five times more than coastal totals due to inland flooding.³
• Asheville and neighboring towns were effectively cut off, with I‑40 and I‑26 impassable, water treatment offline for over 50 days, and entire districts rendered uninhabitable.⁴
• Estimated insured damage in NC exceeded $214 million, with total U.S. losses projected at $95–110 billion.⁵

Two of our very own Centinel team members, living in Asheville at the time of Hurricane Helene, experienced the storm’s devastation firsthand. One awoke in the early hours to a tree crashing through her home, forcing her to flee in the middle of the storm. Her workplace, a small local business, was completely swept away by floodwaters, leaving her without a  job, as well as without a home. Both employees endured prolonged power outages, going nearly a full week without electricity.

In that time, they watched local businesses scramble to stay afloat. Some managed to reopen, while many others didn’t survive the weeks and months that followed. Even now, nearly a year later, businesses in Asheville are still closing their doors, citing lasting damage from that single catastrophic day. We know Asheville is a resilient community, tourism is returning, and many businesses are beginning to bounce back, but recovery shouldn't have to be this hard. At Centinel, we believe that incredible local businesses shouldn’t have to navigate these disasters alone. Our mission is to help lighten the load, providing fast financial relief when power outages strike so that communities can get back on their feet faster, with fewer closures, fewer layoffs, and a greater chance of long-term recovery.

Images from our employee’s after Hurricane Helene, September 2024

Texas Hill Country Flash Floods – July 2025

Starting over the July 4 weekend, devastating flash floods hit Kerr County and surrounding Hill Country areas:

• At least 135 people died statewide, including 108 in Kerr County, with 27 deaths at Camp Mystic alone.⁶
• Economic damage estimates range from $18 billion to $22 billion, impacting thousands of structures and businesses, tourism, and agriculture.⁷
• Local business losses: tubing and river-outfitting businesses reported declines of 60% or more in sales during what should have been peak season.⁸
• Relief funds and loans are already being deployed—but insurance claims and recovery take time.⁹

Tropical Storm Chantal – Central North Carolina (Summer 2025)

In counties including Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh:

• Rainfall totals between 9–12 inches overwhelmed rivers like Durham’s Eno, causing flash floods, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to water services.¹⁰
• Over 130 water rescues were recorded—80 in northern Durham and more than 50 in Chapel Hill—along with several flood-related deaths and widespread state emergency declarations.¹¹

Why This Trend Demands Action

• From 1980 to 2024, the U.S. averaged nine billion-dollar disasters per year—rising to 24 per year on average over the past five years, with 28 in 2023 alone.¹²
• Texas reported 20 such events in 2024—including multiple floods—highlighting how state vulnerability is increasing rapidly.¹³
• Projections suggest that extreme rainfall and inland flooding will only intensify, driven by climate change and aging infrastructure.¹⁴

And with longer outages lasting 72+ hours becoming more frequent, small businesses, particularly uninsured or under-insured, are exposed to crippling operational and revenue losses.

What Insurance Agencies and Small Businesses Should Do Now

Think Preventative, Not Reactive

Many of us see these news headlines and think “It won’t happen here, not to me.” However, it’s just a matter of time before it is impacting you and your area. These storms are happening in some of the most unexpected of areas. Centinel offers protection before the event hits—with no waiting period:

• PowerProtect™ Membership pays out if an outage exceeds 72 hours.

• Enables agencies to offer clients a financial safety net to help stabilize operations when livelihoods are on the line.

• Helps reduce dependency on slow-moving insurance claims, relief funds, or community grants.

Act with Data-Driven Preparedness

Use rising statistics and regional data to inform strategies:

• Highlight the likelihood of billion-dollar events and prolonged outages in client communications.

• Customize outreach based on geography: Asheville agencies explain Helene; Texas agencies reference Hill Country floods.

Educate and Empower Clients

• Offer preparedness guidance (backup power plans, data protection, continuity strategies).

• Encourage purchasing of resilience-building memberships before the next storm.
  

Centinel: Peace of Mind in an Unpredictable World

Centinel bridges the gap between disaster and recovery. With Centinel:

• Insurance agencies can differentiate offerings, build trust, and provide a tangible safety net to clients.

• Small businesses, from restaurants to local farms to professional services, gain access to reliable support when utility failures hit hard.

Because it’s not the if anymore, it’s the when.

When the next natural disaster hits (and analysts agree, it will), don’t wait for the consequences to unfold. Equip your clients and your community with Centinel’s Power‑Protect Membership now, and ensure they’re protected before the next outage.

Sources
¹ Severe Weather in Tropical Storm’s Wake Triggers North Carolina State of Emergency – AP News
² Evacuations Too Late? What Helene Taught Us About Inland Storm Risk – The Washington Post
³ Texas Hill Country Flood Damage Could Reach $22 Billion, Experts Say – Houston Chronicle
⁴ Texas Tubing Businesses Run Aground After Historic Hill Country Flooding – Statesman
⁵ Kerr County Flood Recovery: Small Businesses Fight to Rebuild – San Antonio Express-News
⁶ Dozens Dead and Millions Without Power After Helene – News-Times
⁷ Final Helene Report Puts Numbers to the Damage – Rewind 100.3
⁸ Effects of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina – Wikipedia
⁹ Black Mountain, North Carolina – Wikipedia
¹⁰ Associated Press – Search Results Related to Helene, Chantal, and Regional Flooding
¹¹ Reddit – Community Eyewitness Threads on Asheville & Hill Country Floods