The company, which is still inspecting the properties, notes that hurricane damage to its properties mainly consists of landscaping damage on its golf course and damage to a temporary sales office on the property. The hurricane hit land west of the company's Perdido Key properties Sept. 16.

WCI says the biggest impact of the hurricane is a potential delay in converting reservations to contracts for units to be developed on its first three tower sites. The units were in the pre-construction phase when the storm hit. The three towers are 100% reserved, and the company expected to convert them to contracts with deposits in the fourth quarter. However, according to a company statement: "Since access to the area may be delayed by certain road and bridge repairs, it is possible that the entire process for these three buildings could be delayed by a quarter or two into 2005. The company hopes to reopen its sales center in October."

Despite the three hurricanes that hit Florida since Aug. 13, the company expects its orders to rise at least 50% in the third quarter, which will end Sept. 30, compared with the same quarter last year, as both the tower and traditional home businesses are strong.