Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria left a financial and emotional aftermath that lingered long after the danger passed — from weeks of lost power to the struggle of getting relief from overwhelmed service providers.
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria wreaked havoc on parts of the United States and the Caribbean. But even those who avoided catastrophic damage were not spared the aftermath of the storms. After huddling in the dark for hours with water and flashlights, many families still found themselves in dire circumstances once the danger passed.
1 Power Loss Lingers After the Storm
Massive power outages plagued the nation. Many people in Florida lived without power for weeks, and in Puerto Rico, most residents were still without power long after the storm.
The cost of these storms is staggering. Estimates for Hurricane Harvey came in anywhere from $65 billion to $190 billion, and Hurricane Irma was estimated to cost between $50 billion and $100 billion. But the cost to individual households can be even more distressing.
In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused devastating damage, razing neighborhoods and robbing more than eight million households, as far west as Michigan, of power. By Thanksgiving, some households in New Jersey were still without power.
2 Basic Services Become Harder to Replace
When disaster looms, there is a lot people can do to prepare. But people without powerful generators cannot fully prepare for an extended loss of power. Many find themselves without basic services on which they have come to depend.
In Florida, the loss of power proved devastating for one nursing home where, after air conditioners failed, eight elderly residents died. On a less severe but still frustrating level, intermittent outages left many consumers without television or internet for weeks.
3 Relief From Providers Is Not Always Simple
After a natural disaster, consumers often face another challenge once their power begins to return: getting financial relief from service providers. Service providers may try to reduce the burden. Comcast, for example, offered a one-time credit for cable, phone and internet services lost during and after Hurricane Irma.
Like most conversations with service providers, though, it is rarely that simple. CenturyLink, FPL and LCEC also tried to lessen the burden by suspending late fees and collections for customers impacted by Irma. Learn more about service provider policies in the aftermath of the hurricane here: NBC-2: Cable and Internet Restoration After Irma.
If you're still experiencing outages, you can check live outage status using an interactive map. Services like USOutage.com can help determine whether your provider is actually experiencing an outage or if it is just you.
4 The Emotional Toll Is Harder to Measure
The real cost of natural disasters is extremely hard to measure. Although communities try to put a dollar value on disasters, those estimates rarely capture the emotional toll people experience during and after the event.
Loss of service is hard enough. Dealing with service providers who are overwhelmed by consumer needs can become its own challenge.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Hurricanes Harvey and Irma cost?
Estimates for Hurricane Harvey came in anywhere from $65 billion to $190 billion, while Hurricane Irma was estimated to cost between $50 billion and $100 billion. The article notes that the real cost of natural disasters is extremely hard to measure, and that the cost to individual households can be even more distressing than these national figures.
How long did people go without power after these storms?
Many people in Florida lived without power for weeks, and in Puerto Rico most residents were still without power long after the storm. The article also recalls Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, which robbed more than eight million households of power as far west as Michigan, with some New Jersey households still without power by Thanksgiving.
Did service providers offer relief after the hurricanes?
Yes, some did. Comcast offered a one-time credit for cable, phone and internet services lost during and after Hurricane Irma. CenturyLink, FPL and LCEC also tried to lessen the burden by suspending late fees and collections for customers impacted by Irma. The article notes that getting that relief is rarely as simple as it sounds.
How can I check whether my service provider has an outage?
If you're still experiencing outages, you can check live outage status using an interactive map. The article points to services like USOutage.com, which can help you determine whether your provider is actually experiencing an outage or if the problem is just affecting you.
Why is the emotional toll of a disaster so hard to measure?
The real cost of natural disasters is extremely hard to measure. Although communities try to put a dollar value on disasters, those estimates rarely capture the emotional toll people experience during and after the event. On top of lost service, dealing with providers who are overwhelmed by consumer needs can become its own challenge.
