Hurricane Sandy is expected to cause between $10 and $20 billion in damages. This only addresses the explicit damage, such as broken windows, flooded houses and cars crushed by trees; it doesn't take into account the far larger opportunity costs borne by consumers, businesses and government agencies that must divert time, energy and resources to preparing, surviving and rebuilding. Making matters worse, many small businesses lack insurance coverage for lost sales, doubling the financial impact of the hurricane.Despite the human and economic tragedy of hurricane Sandy, many small businesses can successfully position themselves to rebuild. After hurricane Irene caused $14 billion in damages, retail sales jumped by as much as 35 percent in the years that followed.Learn more at BBC News

Photo credit: Shutterstock