COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
No one can ever really estimate how much damage a hurricane can cause to a small business. With South Carolina in the target zone for many storms, it's important to gauge the power of these storms.
Take, for example, the power and the wrath of 1992's Hurricane Andrew. The storm cost $25 billion and killed 15 people. Business were ripped apart from 140 mile per hour wind gusts.
But what does that storm have to do with two cement block buildings in Richburg today? Everything.
"This is stuff that nobody's ever done before so, nobody's seen it, nobody's been able to investigate it this way," said Dr. Anne Cope with IBHS.
One building was built using common construction methods, but an unusual peak inside the walls show missing steel reinforcement.
The second building is a more wind-resistant building with heavy screws, bolts, and small metal screws tying everything together.
"If you just put the pieces in without tying them together, it's a house of cards," Cope said.
By adding a little bit more and making the connections better, makes all the difference in the world. Differences that could hit businesses owners in the pocket, especially with insurance industry leaders watching.
"Ultimately down the road, the findings we have here will be built into our models on how we evaluate risk," said Carl Hedde with Munich Reinsurance America.
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