Abstract
We study the short- and long-term effects of hurricanes on business dynamics using a near-miss identification strategy and comprehensive establishment-level data. Exploiting spatial variation in hurricane exposure, we compare businesses in areas directly hit by storms to those in forecast paths that were ultimately missed. We combine data from the National Establishment Time-Series Database and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hurricane records from 2000 to 2022 to examine impacts on business entry, exit, employment, and industry composition. A stacked difference-in-differences framework addresses treatment timing heterogeneity, while the near-miss design offers credible counterfactuals that share similar risk perceptions and preparedness behaviors. Our findings provide implications for disaster preparedness policies and business resilience strategies in hurricane-prone regions.