Hurricane Season Grows More Dangerous Every Year and Makes Preparedness a Must

The 2025 hurricane season is officially underway and, according to experts, it’s likely to be a busy one.

According to forecasts from the Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory, 2025 is on track to have above-average hurricane activity, with somewhere between 13 and 19 named storms anticipated. Several factors drive this anticipated activity, including record-warm temperatures in ocean waters.

This sobering forecast is just one data point among many to suggest the annual hurricane season is growing more intense and more dangerous every year. This heightened storm activity underscores the need for home and small business owners to be proactive in their preparations, and that includes not only those who live in hurricane zones but also those further inland, where hurricane-related storms and flooding can do significant damage.

Hurricanes and seasonal storms: worrisome trendlines

The Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory isn’t the only research organization to suggest seasonal storms and natural disasters are becoming more frequent and more intense. For example, research bodies like the World Meteorological Organization have been pointing to an increase in cataclysmic weather events for years now.

What’s more, hurricane season’s threat zone has gradually become wider. As seasonal storms become more intense, their long-tail effects can affect homes, businesses and communities further from the coastline—including significant flooding, major wind damage and other extreme conditions.

What this suggests is that hurricane and seasonal storm preparedness should be on the radar of homeowners far and wide. With catastrophic weather events becoming harder to predict, it benefits all property owners to implement basic precautions.

Reducing risk ahead of seasonal storms

While there’s nothing property owners can do to change the course of a storm, there are plenty of steps they can take to minimize loss—including loss of physical assets as well as loss of life.

The latter issue is really the most pressing. While home and business owners naturally want to protect their property, it’s far more urgent to guard themselves and their loved ones from bodily harm. One meaningful, proactive step is to assemble emergency kits, keeping them somewhere they can be easily accessed during an emergency. Contents of these emergency kits can include:

• Bottled water.
• Protein bars.
• Batteries.
• First aid supplies.
• Medications—including those needed for family members as well as for pets.

There are also some steps property owners can take to secure their properties, minimizing the threat posed by extreme elements. A good place to start is with a thorough visual inspection of the building’s exterior, with an eye out for anything loose—after all, in high winds, loose or low-hanging elements can turn into projectiles, resulting in shattered windows or damaged roofs.

Common examples include cumbersome tree branches, loose shingles or poorly secured gutters—all of which can be addressed to reduce the risk of major storm damage.

Preparing for hurricanes and seasonal storms: tips and best practices

Beyond these basics, there are several other steps home and small business owners should consider as they get ready for hurricane season.

• Stay informed. While it’s impossible to thwart a storm’s path, it’s at least possible to monitor it. Staying tuned in to weather forecasts and storm alerts can help homeowners know if and when they should take action, such as seeking shelter or grabbing those emergency kits. Additionally, it’s crucial to listen to—and heed—local evacuation orders.
• Create an evacuation plan. For families, one of the best ways to prepare for hurricane season is to create an evacuation plan, regularly reviewing it together to ensure clarity. Make sure all family members know the best evacuation routes, where to meet up and how to communicate with one another. Don’t forget to include pets in the evacuation plan!
• Know the location of utility shutoffs. When major storms loom, it can be important to know the location of all main utility shutoffs, including the water main and the breaker box. It may also be prudent to practice flipping utilities on and off effectively.
• Ensure backup power supplies. In some scenarios, hurricanes can disable local power systems, leaving some home and business owners without electricity for hours or even days. Investing in a backup generator may be prudent, especially for those living in higher-risk areas. Additionally, when major storms are in the forecast, it never hurts to ensure essential devices are fully charged in advance.
• Have insurance documents handy. In the aftermath of a major storm, there may be a need to bring in property restoration professionals, or simply to file a claim with the property’s insurer. One huge recommendation is to review the details of coverage, and to ensure all relevant coverage documents are stored somewhere safe and accessible. Secure cloud-based storage is usually the best bet.

After the storm: moving forward with recovery

After safely weathering a hurricane or major storm, property owners may need to deal with damage to the building itself—and to its contents.

The first step is simply assessing any damage done. Here, safety is key—homeowners should be mindful of any loose wires or unsteady infrastructure, and only enter spaces when they can do so without risking life and limb.

When it’s possible to do so safely, conducting a visual inspection of the property can generate a list of potential issues that need to be addressed. Taking photos to document the damage is also recommended; by sending these images to their insurance carrier, home and small business owners can ensure a prompt and accurate claims process.

When it comes to filing an insurance claim, speed is a must. Keep in mind, many home and business owners in the affected area will be filing claims around the same time. The sooner the details are submitted, the more likely it is the insurance company can initiate the recovery process promptly.

Beyond disrepair to the structure of the building, home and business owners will also want to assess damaged contents. This might include anything from water-damaged electronics to priceless family heirlooms. When the contents of the building are waterlogged or otherwise damaged, the insurance company may be able to arrange a contents restoration company to take inventory and to attempt recovery.

Sometimes, even items that seem damaged beyond repair can be given a second life. Policyholders can always ask their insurance carrier about contents restoration options.

Keeping pace with hurricane trends

When it comes to extreme weather, current trends and forecasts look daunting. While there is little for individuals to do to reverse these trends, there is much to be done in preparation and in risk mitigation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tim Fagan

Tim Fagan is the president of 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, a property restoration company, Blue Kangaroo Packoutz, a contents restoration company and 1-800-BOARDUP. All are part of the BELFOR Franchise Group family of brands. With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, Fagan got his start working part-time at his father’s carpet cleaning business. He has managed emergency losses in residential, hospital, university, business, manufacturing, multi-family and K-12 school facilities. Fagan is a licensed builder as well as a Restoration Industry Association Certified Restorer (CR) and Water Loss Specialist (WLS).