Disturbances can re-structure stream communities, stream habitat, and instream processes. The magnitude and duration of impacts can be challenging to quantify, even when pre- and post-disturbance data are available. Alan Covich initiated and encouraged many collaborative studies of disturbances and his enthusiasm in studying hurricane effects and the multidisciplinary responses at Luquillo LTER broadened the perspectives of both his students and colleagues. He has been integral in encouraging study of other disturbances, including floods, droughts, water extraction, dams and climate change. Long-term data become especially valuable after disturbances and Alan’s students have continued his role in shepherding long-term studies that demonstrate the value and importance of long-term and historic data across multiple ecosystems. Here I compare similarities and differences that Alan and his former students have observed in response to a variety of disturbances across biomes.