Last year saw a record 28 named storms, including 15 hurricanes, making the 2005 season the busiest and one of the deadliest in the North Atlantic's modern history. Katrina alone caused more 1,000 deaths and an estimated $100 billion in damage, making that storm the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history. Although forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are not expecting the 2006 hurricane season (which began June 1) to be as devastating or as deadly as last year's, they say the North Atlantic Ocean could see between 13 and 16 named storms this year, with eight to 10 becoming hurricanes. With another busy and potentially costly hurricane season looming, what can hotels do to prevent, minimize, or better secure their properties from the damaging effects of a hurricane, such as those caused by wind and rain? The answer can perhaps best be found at hotels most directly impacted by tropical storms of the past two years-some of which have just re-opened after a year or more of renovations. From the Rooftops The Crowne Plaza West Palm Beach Hotel in West Palm Beach, Fla., re-opened earlier this year after being closed due to damage sustained from hurricanes Frances and Gene in 2004. According to Margaret Leon, general manager, the hotel sustained roof damage from flying debris and water damage resulting from broken windows. In addition to installing what she describes as a top-of-the-line, foam-based roofing system that is more resistant to damage as part of its $31 million reconstruction, the hotel's windows-which guests used to be able to open to about 6 inches in their rooms-have been screwed shut, resealed, and caulked to prevent weakening from high winds. Leon says the hotel has also added a new generator and fire suppression system as well as new sprinklers-improvements largely aimed at bringing the hotel in compliance with new Florida building codes, which were mandated after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Because significant structural damage is often caused by flying debris, it's important for hotels to try to minimize this threat, and ways the Crowne Plaza Hotel does this, Leon says, is by removing or relocating outdoor furniture, such as those near pools, and items from balconies-"anything that could become a flying object," she says. Anthony Lazzara, general manager of the Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront Hotel in Melbourne, Fla., says reducing"flying missiles" is critical in preparing for an approaching tropical system. Another is sealing the hotel, sandbagging it if necessary, and moving sensitive equipment, like computers, to higher floors. Like the Crowne Plaza Hotel in West Palm Beach, the Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront Hotel sustained significant damage from hurricanes Frances and Gene in September 2004 and will be reopening on July 14, Lazzara says."Frances shut us down-Gene finished us off," he says."Frances was such a slow-moving storm, this area was pelted for an extended period of time." Like other Florida hotels built before Hurricane Andrew, new renovation work done to the Hilton had to conform to the state's new building codes. Lazzara says studs for the hotel were placed closer together, windows used a more impact-resistant glass and the structure employs a light-gauge steel framework for added strength."All of this is addressed by the current code, making the hotel a much stronger structure," he says. He also says that given the possibility for water and moisture penetration, certain areas of the hotel have a knock-down finish, making them more mildew-resistant. Avoiding Disaster Just because a beach-front hotel hasn't yet succumbed to a hurricane's fury doesn't mean that its staff shouldn't have some kind of disaster readiness plan in place. In fact, if there's any thing last year's deadly season taught residents and hoteliers situated along beaches and shorelines, it's to be prepared-and be prepared for the worst. Cara Light, front desk manager for Marriott's Grande Ocean Hotel in Hilton Head, S.C., says although her property has not seen a direct hit from a hurricane in a very long time, the hotel does have procedures in place in the event of a serious storm. She said the hotel keeps a hurricane logbook that makes evacuation routes, emergency contact information for local officials, and other storm information readily accessible for all of the hotel's departments. The hotel also has a dedicated hurricane closet where various emergency supplies, including extra candles, are kept. Like many hotels in the path of a hurricane, the Grande Ocean Hotel will make sure all chairs and tables are moved and secured and that balconies are cleared and blinds on windows closed to minimize flying debris, which Lights says would normally be done 24 to 48 hours before the storm hits. Most hoteliers acknowledge that their biggest priority is ensuring the safety of guests, and that means not only helping to coordinate their safe evacuation but also providing them with important advance knowledge of what to do if a disaster were to occur."Evacuation orders by a city are usually made well in advance of a storm" says Lisa Cole, Hilton's director of communications for the Southeast, adding that continually improving weather forecasting technology is making this process much more efficient."Guests then have time to make decisions to evacuate or make alternative (lodging) arrangements." Leon says it's also important to advise guests early of the service realities that they may face while staying at a hotel during a storm-that they may be staying in a four-star hotel, for example, but may not be receiving four-star treatment during this time."You may not have air conditioning, and you may not have cable TV," she explains. "We would be faced with many of the same obstacles that they would get in their own homes under similar circumstances."