Friday Risk Watch: October 11, 2024

Stay ahead of potential risks and ensure the safety of your employees with Friday Risk Watch, a weekly newsletter curated by our Global Intelligence Team.

Expect updates on emerging risks, geopolitical developments, weather forecasts, etc. We’ll notify you of the latest incidents that could impact your organization, allowing you to make informed decisions and mitigate potential risks.

What We’re Watching

Florida in Recovery Following Hurricane Milton: Hurricane Milton devastated Florida, impacting millions with power outages, flooding, and tornadoes. While Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater was spared the worst of the storm surge, the broader region suffered significant damage from coastal flooding, heavy rain, and strong winds.??

• Over 2.2 million customers were without power as of midday Friday. The hardest-hit areas may remain in the dark for several days.?Gusts over 100 mph shredded the Tropicana Field roof in St. Petersburg, causing security personnel to scramble. Severe winds also caused a crane collapse near the Tampa Bay Times office downtown. There were no injuries in either incident.?
• Southwest Florida, including Bradenton, Venice, Englewood, Manasota Key, and Punta Gorda, was battered by severe storm surge and winds exceeding 100 mph. Surge levels as high as five feet reached as far south as Naples, marking the second-highest historical water level after Hurricane Ian in 2022.?
• A historic tornado outbreak struck Southeast Florida, with 126 tornado warnings issued, leading to multiple fatalities and widespread destruction in counties like St. Lucie, Palm Beach, and Lee.?Central and East Florida experienced widespread flooding, with areas like Orange County and St. Augustine experiencing high-water rescues due to storm surge and relentless rainfall.?
• Prior to landfall, over 73,500 people sought refuge within 187 shelters, while over 5.5 million Floridians were affected by evacuation guidance.?Most major bridges and airports have reopened. Initial inspections indicate that major port-related disruptions will be brief.?

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Middle East Tensions Remain High as Yom Kippur Arrives: Israeli officials have urged caution ahead of Yom Kippur, which begins tonight and extends into nightfall on Saturday, arriving at a period of significant conflict and tension in the Middle East.??

• Officials in Israel issued a terror advisory for citizens abroad ahead of the Jewish High Holidays, including Yom Kippur (October 11-12). Police in major urban centers across the U.S. began increasing patrols in Jewish communities last week due to the threat of attack during the holidays as well as the anniversary of Hamas' October 7 attack.?
• U.S. embassies in Poland and Romania issued security alerts warning of threats “potentially targeting a synagogue, temple, or mosque” for this weekend. They advise increased caution regarding religious institutions.??
• Israeli citizens and diplomatic facilities have been targeted at home and abroad in recent days. Officials said they foiled an alleged ISIS plot against a mall in Tel Aviv this week, an indication of the persistent threat.??
• The holiday weekend arrives as Israel continues its offensive in Lebanon and prepares its response to Iran’s missile attack at the beginning of October. On Thursday, Israel’s security cabinet met to vote on a plan for retaliation.?

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Latin America to See Protests Commemorating “Day of the Race” and “Day of Indigenous Resistance”: Several cities across Latin America will see marches and protests this weekend to commemorate the Day of the Race (Día de la Raza), also known as the Day of the Indigenous Resistance (Día de la Resistencia Indígena). Generally celebrated on October 12, the day recognizes indigenous heritages. It is celebrated as a counter to Spain’s Day of Hispanicity (Día de la Hispanidad) and to Columbus Day, which takes place on Monday, October 14.?(Note: the following links are in Spanish.)

• In Santiago, Chile, demonstrators will gather at the Plaza Baquedano (Plaza Dignidad) at 10 am on Sunday. In Michoacán, Mexico, groups plan to hold demonstrations and road blockades on Saturday to demand improved access to water for indigenous communities. In Caracas, Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro called for a march honoring the “indigenous resistance.” Gatherings in additional locations are likely.??
• Gatherings in previous years commemorating the Day of Indigenous Resistance have featured acts of vandalism and clashes.?
• In Spain, an annual military parade will be held in Madrid, presided by President Pedro Sánchez and Spanish royalty. The parade route begins at 11:00 am from the Botanical Garden to the Plaza de Colón. Around 100,000 people are expected to attend. Over 4,000 members of the Spanish Armed Forces are expected to participate, and extra police will be deployed to oversee the event.?

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Curfew Imposed in Martinique Amid Surge of Unrest: Authorities have reimposed a curfew from 9 pm to 5 am for the French island territory of Martinique following the outbreak of violent protests over the high cost of living. The unrest has resulted in one death so far, as well as instances of looting, arson, street demonstrations, and roadblocks.??

• The curfew will be in place through at least Monday and will include a ban on all travel on public highways other than for “compelling health reasons and in the context of professional activities.” Protesters also forced the closure of Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport, although it has since reopened.??
• Public schools and many government offices have been closed since yesterday.??
• A previous round of protests in September caused the government to call in a group of French anti-riot police that have been banned on the island for 65 years.??

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