Hoteliers with properties in North and South Carolina said planning ahead for a crisis, along with the dedication of on-property staff, has helped to mitigate the impact from severe weather caused by Hurricane Florence, HNN’s editorial staff writes.

Tara Investments’ VP Adam Zembruski said the area GM Brian Rafferty and his on-property staff were the reason the side-by-side Homewood Suites by Hilton Charleston Historic District and Holiday Inn Charleston Historic District were able to remain open and operate during the storm.

“The people that we have there are there for this reason: It’s in their hearts,” he said. “They like serving people during a crisis. … They really stepped up, and we couldn’t be more proud.”