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Hurricane Bonnie: Lessons Learned and Losses Avoided, While Hurricane Bonnie did not strike with the force of Hurricane Fran, there is evidence that mitigation measures taken after Fran played a role in minimizing losses and facilitaling emergency response, Coordination and commu- nication between the public and private secrors were particularly evident. Some examples of mitigation suc, cesses documented in the aftermath of Hurricane Bonnie include: . In the two-year interval bet\veen Fran and Bonnie. approximately 80 f[ood~ prone homes were elevated-in-place in Carolina Beach (2 feet above base flood elevation [BFE] in a IOO'year flood event), and Wrightsville Beach (3 feet above BFE), resulting in a marked reducrion in flood damage. \Vhere LP tanks were anchored, there \vere no problems \'o'ith free-floating or damaged LP gas tanks, . The homeovmer and business mitigation initiative paid dividends in the form of "a noticeable reduction in damages to homes and businesses, thanks co the installation of \-vind shutters, wind straps, safety glass. and other non-structural mitigation measures. ,,18 . The \Vilmington communications tower sustained \vind and flood damage during Hurricane Fran and was inoperable during the emergency phase of the disaster. The tower was retrofitted to strengthen key components, and \\!as fully operational during Hurricane Bonnie. . The pre-disaster planning and coordination between businesses and govern- ment officials, including [he formacion of a Special Needs Task Force, resulted in streamlined emergency response operations during Hurricane Bonnie Developing a "Business Leadership Cell," The early success of the Wilmingron- New Hanover partnership can be attributed in large part to the leadership of the business community. The partnership has developed what may be referred to as a "business leadership cell" comprised of individuals who have a personal and business commitment to the partnership, Two business leaders received national recognition from FEMA for their role as "Outstanding National Businesspeople," Passage of a Liquid Propane (LP) Gas Tank Ordinance, vllhich requires LP tanks to be strapped and secured to eliminate [he "floating tank problem" and the potential environmental risk posed by these containers during and after flood events. . Wilmington Fire Facility, Emergency Operations Center, and two local schools are being constructed using disaster-resistant techniques. Most of these mitigation and preparedness efforts were well underway when Hurricane Bonnie made landfall on August 25, 1998, Coming only two years after Hurricane Fran, the event offered an opportunity to examine the "lessons learned" and the losses avoided due to post-Fran mitigation measures. Part Two: Mitigation suece~~~~torie5 'W~'?:=--=-__ ,~ Fo!lowing Hurricane Pran, Wilmington secured LP tanks, which virtually eliminated detached tanks in Hurricane Bonnie. ~""$"'~'*,J'\/'rft"Jit~~ o i;"'J;!.'S'+""i70',j.pjt'+' ";" '