Article submitted and prefaced by Bill Jeansonne, CCIM, Commercial Investment Specialist for Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate, LLC

With a recent local report that area car dealerships are only now returning to normal business since the 2016 Baton Rouge flood, we are reminded again of the long-lasting impacts of weather related disasters.  Add to that the 2019 Hurricane Season begins June 1:  “the Fifth Season” the constant reminder of south Louisiana conditions!

Unfortunately, many of us could have written a chapter in a book of Mother Nature’s disasters.  People are certainly impacted in a lasting way; commercial real estate must have a clear concern of these possible future events.

The article “Natural Disasters, Human Response” by Nicholas Leider in the May/June issue of Commercial Investment which is The Magazine of CCIM Institute summarizes a discussion by real estate professionals. 

  • Quentin Dastugue of New Orleans and who is well known in Louisiana, relates experiences and states “..nothing beats being prepared.”
  • David Marcotte of Houston noted storms exposed the well known secret “..build first, ask questions later..” results in long term failure.
  • Andrew Maguire in reference to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico highlights that although “.. storm is a tragedy … but it will create opportunity…”

As the weather gurus urge you to purchase those flashlights, take a longer term view of how storms can impact your business investment; if you’re still piling sandbags, you’re behind the curve. 

Natural Disasters, Human Response

Commercial real estate professionals discuss planning for, getting through, and recovering from major adverse events.

By Nicholas Leider | CIRE Magazine | May.June.19

Read more…


Bill Jeansonne, a native of Alexandria, Louisiana, received both his undergraduate degree and master’s in business administration (MBA) from Louisiana State University (LSU).  Bill has 19 years experience in the commercial and industrial real estate business and 14 years experience in commercial/industrial warehouse design and sale of handling equipment.  His specializations include commercial and industrial development, brokerage, and leasing, as well as lease negotiations.

A Designee member of the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute (CCIM), Bill’s professional memberships include Baton Rouge’s Commercial Investment Division (CID), the LSU MBA Alumni Association, a founding member of the board of managers for the Louisiana Commercial Data Base (LACDB), a member of Louisiana REALTORS® (LR), a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).  Bill has also served as a president of CID, a chairman of the CID Trends Program, a chairman of the LSU MBA Alumni Association Louisiana Looking Up Program, and on the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC) Trends committee.  His current civic affiliations and past service include board chairman of the Baton Rouge Speech and Hearing Foundation and president of the Capitol SERTOMA Club of Baton Rouge.  He is currently a member of the Cadets of the Ole War Skule, an alumnus of Omicron Delta Kappa (OΔK), and a member of the Lakeshore Lions Club.

Saurage Rotenberg Commercial Real Estate, LLC is a member of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce (BRAC); the West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce; the Baton Rouge Better Business Bureau; the Louisiana Commercial Data Base (LACDB); and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Several agents, on an individual basis, are members of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors® (SIOR), the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute (CCIM); the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR); and the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® Commercial Investment Division (CID).