As Hurricane Helene barreled through the southeastern United States in September, the motorcoach industry stepped up to provide critical evacuation and recovery support for communities affected by the storm.
The devastating hurricane, which left more than 160 fatalities and record flooding, underscored both the increasing frequency of hurricanes in Florida and the essential role of motorcoaches in disaster response.
Florida ranks second nationally for disaster vulnerability, according to a new study by iSharing that ranked the states that have been most impacted by natural disasters. It has faced 34 hurricanes in the past 20 years, the most of any state, suffering $20 billion in damages.
Although Florida’s disaster costs in 2024 were comparatively lower at $2.1 billion, the state remains uniquely vulnerable due to its geography and exposure to extreme weather events, the study found.
Prepared to step up
Brian Scott, president of Escot Bus Lines in St. Petersburg, Florida, has seen firsthand how the motorcoach industry becomes a lifeline during hurricanes.
“We live on a peninsula, and that makes us incredibly vulnerable. This year alone, we had three tropical events in 60 days, including two major hurricanes 13 days apart, said Scott, referring to Hurricane Helene making landfall in Florida on Sept. 26, followed by Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9. “It’s hard to say if this is the new normal or just an anomaly, but it’s clear we have to be prepared.”
Scott noted that hurricanes often disrupt normal business operations but emphasized the industry’s commitment to serving the community.
“Evacuation work frequently replaces other trips that are canceled or postponed due to the weather,” he said. “Our role is to help evacuate people before the storm and ensure they can return safely afterward.”
One example of the industry’s role in disaster relief was Lamers Bus Lines, which mobilized quickly to evacuate residents of a flood-prone assisted living facility in Crystal River. Terminal Manager Mark Branson explained the company’s preparedness.
“We’ve worked with this facility for several years,” said Branson, who oversees the company’s Wildwood, Florida locations. “They contacted us as Helene approached, and we had buses and drivers ready to go. When the evacuation order came, we sent buses equipped with wheelchair lifts to move residents to safer locations in Inverness, Ocala, and Daytona.”
The Lamers team returned residents the following day after conditions stabilized. “This is the third storm we’ve handled for this facility,” Branson said. “Our team’s ability to act quickly made all the difference.”
Working with FEMA partners
In Orlando, Empire Coach Line also was busy assisting emergency crews. Vice President and General Manager Eddie Serrano described the company’s efforts to support first responders and emergency personnel during and after the storm.
“We were fortunate in Orlando to avoid the worst of the storm’s impact, but we’ve done a bit of everything, from pre-storm evacuations to post-storm missions,” Serrano said. “We’ve been available for whatever is needed, whether it’s moving first responders or delivering essential personnel to recovery sites.”
Empire Coach Line deployed a dozen buses for various missions, including several contracted through FEMA partners.
“Our first buses were on the road before the storm hit, and we’ve continued to add more as requests come in,” Serrano said.
The challenges of responding to hurricanes like Helene reflect the increasing storm activity in Florida.
“This year has been extraordinary,” Scott said. “The storms may be smaller in size, but they pack a bigger punch. In 16 days, we had two major hurricanes and dealt with a 100-year event in Tarpon Springs. These storms remind us how critical it is to stay prepared.”
Valuing collaboration
Florida’s history with hurricanes is extensive, including significant storms like the Tampa Bay Hurricane that made landfall in Tarpon Springs, Florida, as a category 3, on Oct. 25, 1921, with 11 feet of storm surge and 120 mph winds. More recently, storms like Ian and Helene have caused widespread damage, further highlighting the state’s vulnerabilities.
Motorcoach companies often partner with public-sector agencies and private organizations to fill gaps in disaster response. Branson emphasized the collaborative nature of these efforts.
“It’s a joint effort with the public sector,” he said. “During Helene, we helped evacuate residents and supported hospitals that were without water. Our industry steps in wherever there’s an unmet need.”
Scott agrees, noting the industry’s adaptability.
“We’re here to help in any way we can, whether it’s evacuating assisted living facilities or transporting power crews for recovery work,” he said. “It’s incredibly disruptive, but it’s also deeply rewarding to know we’re making a difference.”
