Adaptation10 - Storm (August edition)

All across the world, climate change is making storms more powerful and morefrequent. Tropical cyclones and hurricanes are drawing more power from warmer oceans, giving them greater destructive power. Populations in the US and the Caribbean are painfully aware of this shift. Hurricane Beryl, which tore through a host of Caribbean islands this June, was the earliest Category 5 Atlantic hurricane in records going back almost 100 years – and has inflicted at least US$3.3bn of insured losses so far.

Beryl augurs the start of what experts predict will be a wild Atlantic hurricane season, which is likely to bring hazards like damaging winds, storm surge, and inland flooding from heavy rainfall. In the Pacific, “Typhoon Alley” – a region encompassing the Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and parts of China – is becoming ever more treacherous. Right now, southwestern Japan is being battered by Typhoon Shanshan. The storm had forced the evacuation of over one million people as of August 28.

Monster hurricanes and typhoons aren’t the only kinds of storms that climate change is making more dangerous. In Europe, furious windstorms have long wreaked havoc, and certain models estimate their intensity will ratchet up as the atmosphere warms further. Thunderstorms – also known as “convective storms” – are also blighting communities in all regions of the globe. Last year, these storms inflicted US$64bn of insured losses, according to Swiss Re.

The effects of human-induced warming on storms large and small will not go away any time soon. Certain impacts are essentially “locked in” because of the amount of greenhouse gas already in the atmosphere. This makes it imperative that communities, businesses, and governments improve their preparation for worsening storms, and take steps to reduce their destructive impacts.

In this month’s Adaptation10, we showcase ten solution providers tackling storm risks. Some are high tech and have global aspirations. Others are small, regional businesses rooted in specific communities facing specific problems. All are good examples of the emerging adaptation economy. Find 5 of the 10 here and see all companies plus additional investment-relevant insights in the Climate Proof Newsletter. And, as always, experience our selected solutions in action in an illustrative story at the end. This time from Indonesia - meet Ayu and Lars.

Enjoy!

Louie & Daniel

Adaptation10 - Storm

Brinc Drones, a US company founded in 2017, designs and manufactures search-and-rescue products that are able to navigate extreme environments. Their drones feature advanced thermal imaging, two-way communication, and real-time data streaming, all critical for locating and assisting those in distress. Built for autonomous operation, Brinc Drones enhance the speed and safety of rescue missions, providing essential support to first responders in urgent situations. Their technology improves situational awareness, streamlines rescue operations, and plays a crucial role in saving lives during emergencies.

Stormseal, an Australian company, provides an innovative temporary roofing solution for damaged properties. Their flagship product consists of a durable, waterproof membrane that forms a weatherproof seal when applied. This is capable of protecting properties from further damage until permanent repairs can be arranged. Unlike conventional tarps, Stormseal’s membranes are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions for extended periods, reducing the need for frequent replacements. This technology helps homeowners, businesses, and communities protect their properties, minimize additional losses, and support faster recovery after severe storms.

LineVision, a fast-growing US climate tech company, enhances electricity grid resilience with its advanced sensor technology and analytics. Their specialized sensors monitor for potential hazards like line sag, thermal overload, and conductor galloping in real-time. By providing utilities with actionable insights, LineVision helps prevent outages, improve grid efficiency, and ensure continuous, reliable energy distribution.

Armored Dade is a Florida-based company that provides storm protection equipment to properties in the Sunshine State. It specializes in high-quality impact-resistant doors and windows designed to protect homes and businesses from extreme weather, particularly hurricanes. Their products are engineered to withstand severe storms and hurricanes, which are common to Florida, without compromising aesthetics.

Torshel Storm Shelters, is a Mississippi-based company that makes ‘safe rooms’ for homes and businesses across the American South. These specialized shelters offer high-quality protection against extreme weather events, particularly tornadoes and hurricanes. Made of welded steel, the safe rooms are extremely durable. They are also scalable. Torshel can make shelters large enough to accommodate over 100 people.

(Learn more) is a US-based technology company focused on advanced weather forecasting solutions. Their mission is to enhance weather prediction accuracy and speed using high-performance computing and innovative algorithms. (Learn more) products help businesses, governments, and other organizations better prepare for and respond to extreme weather events, reducing risks and improving decision-making.

(Learn more), is another Florida-based company that provides solutions that make buildings more resilient to high winds and storm damage. Their (Learn more) cables and connectors, designed for wood and masonry constructs, are adept at securing buildings to their foundations. This prevents uplift and shear forces – common during hurricanes, high winds, and seismic activities – from wrecking them.

(Learn more) is a US-based weather data company. As the name suggests, it specializes in providing comprehensive hail-related insights and services. Their offerings include advanced hail mapping, storm tracking, and historical hail data analysis – all of which are invaluable to insurers, construction firms, and other businesses. (Learn more) proprietary technology enables precise tracking of hailstorms in real-time, helping companies prepare for hail impacts and expedite insurance claims after hail events.

(Learn more) is a weather tech startup specializing in the delivery of precise rainfall data. It does so through the use of high-resolution radar and quality-controlled gauge data. Unlike traditional weather data sources that rely on archived forecasts, (Learn more) provides accurate observational data, reflecting real conditions at specific locations. The company processes raw data from 180 Doppler radar stations and a network of rain measurement sites using cutting-edge models, which produces a highly refined ensemble of precipitation information. This delivers significantly more accurate and reliable rainfall totals.

(Learn more) is a self-described “full service restoration company” active in the US state of Georgia. It specializes in emergency and reconstruction services for properties damaged by water, fire, and storms. Unlike standard restoration services, Mitigate, Inc. offers 24/7 response and an expert knowledge of managing and repairing properties hit by weather-related risks. The company utilizes advanced techniques and certified professionals to address and remediate issues, from drying water-damaged areas and preventing mold growth to handling fire damage and stabilizing properties after storms.

An illustrative story: Solutions in action

To illustrate how our Adaptation10 companies could add value to storm-threatened communities, here’s a story about Ayu and Lars, a fictional couple living in Indonesia. Ayu and Lars have made their home in Makassar, Indonesia’s fifth-largest city. It is also one of the country’s most vulnerable to climate risks, given its location on the eastern coast of Sulawesi Island – right inside the Pacific’s “Typhoon Alley.” Their ability to live, work, and thrive under the shadow of escalating storm threats is supported by a roster of adaptation and resilience services.

Work in the City:

Ayu, an operations manager at Makassar′s emergency response center, uses drones for search-and-rescue missions during storms, similar to those produced by Brinc Drones. Their thermal imaging and real-time data streaming capabilities help her locate and communicate with those in distress, and significantly speed up rescue operations. Meanwhile Lars – an engineer at a power utility in the city – relies on a company like LineVision to monitor the condition of the transmission grid. Their sensors detect issues like line sag and thermal overloads in real-time, helping Lars to prevent outages and maintain grid stability during storms.

Home Safety:

Ayu and Lars’ home is protected from storm damage by impact-resistant windows, shutters, and doors – like those provided by Armored Dade. They have also installed a safe room in their basement, like those manufactured by Torshel Storm Shelters, which offers added protection when the worst Typhoons strike.

Storm Preparedness and Recovery:

Ahead of the storm season, Ayu consults high-resolution forecasts, similar to those provided by (Learn more) to prepare for the potential impacts on local areas. This helps improve Makassar’s disaster response, but also Ayu and Lars’ own emergency preparations. The couple are also able to leverage high-precision rainfall forecasts – like those offered by (Learn more)– to assess flooding risks. Indonesia is no stranger to hail risks, either. That’s why Ayu and Lars also use granular hail storm data – like that provided by (Learn more) – to prepare for these impacts.

After each damaging storm, Ayu and Lars use temporary roofing protections, of the kind offered by Stormseal, to make their home habitable again. When storm damage is extreme, they call on an emergency response service similar to (Learn more) to restore their property.

Long-Term Protection:

In anticipation of even worse storms to come, Ayu and Lars are looking to reinforce their home using wind-resistant construction tools and services of the kind provided by (Learn more). Thanks to the data, tools, and services provided by these adaptation companies, Ayu and Lars are safer at home and at work, and better able to navigate the challenges of living in Makassar.