Hurricane Milton is headed for Florida less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene cut a devastating path through the Southeastern US. Texas was hammered by Hurricane Beryl in July, resulting in extensive flooding and power outages. Predictions that this year’s hurricane season would be intense are coming true.

NOAA National Weather Service forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center earlier this year predicted above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year with an 85% chance of an above-normal season, a 10% chance of a near-normal season and a 5% chance of a below-normal season.

While weathering the storm and during the aftermath, it is up to work trucks to help people and restore communities. So, what can fleet managers do to prepare, endure, and respond to hurricanes and the related flooding?

Work Truck has assembled six hurricane- or flood-related stories to bring you the information you need to make sure your fleet is ready. Check these out:

6 Tips to Prepare Fleets for Hurricanes

How can you prepare your fleet’s drivers to face the challenges of hurricane season? Check out these six preparedness tips from Bendix.

Prepare for the Worst: Hurricane Prep for Work Trucks

During hurricane season, warm ocean waters and favorable atmospheric conditions create an environment conducive to the formation and intensification of hurricanes. The east coast is impacted the most, however in recent years the Gulf Coast has taken the brunt of several large hurricanes as well.

It's essential to have a comprehensive plan to protect your work truck fleet and drivers during these challenging times. Here are tips for work trucks during hurricane system.

Protecting Fleets’ Assets During Hurricanes

In recent years, hurricanes have left businesses with increasing damage costs. As of August 2023, 15 confirmed weather and climate disasters resulted in losses exceeding $1 billion, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The combined total of these 2023 disasters is $32.7 billion — second only to 2021 for total damage costs through the first half of any year since 1980.

Companies like Wex Inc., Teletrac Navman, Wilson Electronics, and Manheim share their advice on working through hurricanes and dealing with the aftermath. 

Diesel Safety During Hurricane Season

From emergency back-up electrical power systems to emergency response and recovery assets diesel power is ready to play a central role in hurricane preparedness, response and recovery, keeping everyone safe.

One of the unique benefits of diesel technology is its unmatched energy density can be delivered to just about any location on the earth. A fleet of mobile diesel-powered generators and fuel can be dispatched quickly to restore electricity to mission critical facilities.

Tips for Post-Flood Fleet Inspections

When it comes to vehicle maintenance, it’s important to check your vehicle after being exposed to flood waters during a hurricane or other extreme weather flooding. Some of the items to inspect and recondition are air brakes, wheel-ends, and other safety components. Bendix provides its top tech tips for post-flood inspection and reconditioning.

How to Identify Flood-Damaged Vehicles After a Hurricane 

SafeAuto, following Hurricane Ida, shared tips the wary fleet manager should keep in mind when purchasing vehicles following large-scale flooding. Be sure you know what to look for, so you don’t purchase a vehicle and only learn later that it sustained flood damage before you bought it.