Catastrophe Event | Hurricane Dorian

A few short weeks ago, it looked as though the Southeastern U.S. coast was going to be hard-hit by Hurricane Dorian. By the time the storm grew to a Category 5 and stalled in the Atlantic, IAA was more than prepared for what could have been a significant, catastrophic event.

IAA’s CAT Response Team deployed to Florida as the Bahamas received a 40+ hour lashing from the storm. Our thoughts were with all of those on the islands, while we continued to closely monitor Dorian’s projected path toward the mainland. The team moved as the storm did, staying safe but in proximity to immediately act when needed.

IAA – always prepared for any outcome – was ready with:

• Upwards of 2,000 acres in the area

• IAA First Responder Network CAT towers, +700 additional trucks

• Cleared, secured branches in the potential path of the storm

• A full CAT team in the region plus dozens of others ready to deploy

• Plenty of additional equipment to help in any recovery efforts

Hurricane Dorian headed slightly east as the later forecasts predicted, and was not nearly as destructive in the U.S. as it potentially could have been. Unfortunately, North Carolina’s barrier islands did not escape landfall and ended up with significant storm damage, and some vehicle damage.

When IAA was contacted to help move vehicles damaged by Hurricane Dorian off Ocracoke Island, NC onto the mainland, we didn’t hesitate to say yes and jumped into action.

Working directly with insurance providers, towing partners, the North Carolina Department of Insurance, and State Emergency Management, IAA created a plan to get the vehicles moved off the island as efficiently as possible. The IAA CAT Team secured ferry services and moved all of the flood vehicles off of Ocracoke Island so that adjusters could safely perform inspections.

^{IAA volunteers on site with N.C. National Guard to assist with Hurricane Dorian cleanup efforts on Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks, N.C.}

Our job of moving vehicles off the island was complete yesterday, and we are proud to have been of assistance in a time of need. Our CAT Team’s mission is to help our clients and affected communities after a catastrophe. Stepping up and helping out is IAA’s commitment to the industry, our clients, our shared communities, and is simply part of our culture.

^{IAA ferrying damaged vehicles off the island to the mainland for assessment by adjusters.}

Hurricane season isn’t over yet. While we all collectively hope that the remainder of 2019 is catastrophe-free, IAA is confident that we can respond no matter what may come. We remain committed to being prepared and responsive to any impact – big or small.

We prepare. We respond. We are ready.