How costly can hurricanes be?
The physical and financial impact of hurricanes varies by year and the number of storms, but according to figures released by NOAA, there have been 56 weather and climate disasters in the United States between 2019 and 2021, that had a financial impact of losses exceeding $1 billion. In 2021 alone, there were 20 separate billion-dollar weather disasters, totaling $145 billion in cost.
Why do hurricanes cause so much damage?
Perhaps the most destructive and dangerous part of a hurricane is the storm surge, but the heavy rains and wind can also be felt well inland from the hurricane's point of landfall, to such an intensity that tornadoes can also form.
Storm surge is the rapid rise in water levels as the hurricane's eye makes landfall. One cubic yard of water weighs roughly 1,700 pounds. The storm surge is greater the bigger the storm and the more perpendicular its track to the coast.
Heavy rain can also bring massive flooding before, during, and after a hurricane makes landfall. Rains of 5-10 inches per hour or more can cause substantial flooding. Even more rainfall and flooding are possible if a storm slows down or stalls.
Winds associated with a hurricane can range from 74 mph in a small storm to over 155 mph in a catastrophic one. Steady wind, wind gusts, and tornadoes are responsible for a great deal of the structural damage caused by hurricanes
What can property owners do to help prevent future wind damage?
While no location is safe from flood threats, if you live near the coast in certain parts of the U.S., your property is at risk of wind damage from hurricanes. FEMA recommends that property owners take several steps to prevent hurricane damage caused by heavy winds, including: fortifying your roof, trimming or removing dead, damaged, or rotting trees, and securing objects outside of your home.
Prepare with the Right Flood Insurance
While these preventative measures could mitigate the severity of your losses in the wake of a hurricane, the right flood insurance coverage is also essential for being prepared for the next storm.