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By Agency Forward Editorial Team

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Active year predicted for 2025 hurricane season

June 10, 2025

According to forecasts, the 2025 hurricane season may look similar to 2024 – which means another summer and autumn threatened by the potential for devastating storms.

The 2024 hurricane season was extremely active and the third costliest on record with hurricanes Helene and Milton causing catastrophic damage across Florida and as far inland as Asheville, N.C. There were 18 named storms in total during 2024, including 11 hurricanes – five of which were major hurricanes with maximum winds over 111 mph. The deaths of 427 people were attributed to 2024’s storms and losses totaled $130 billion.

The 2025 hurricane outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts another busy tropical season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 and typically peaks in late August to mid-September for the United States.

Their recent forecast calls for a 60% chance of an active season with 13-19 named storms, of which 6-10 are forecast to become hurricanes and up to five major hurricanes. The Colorado State University forecasting team also predicts there will be 17 named storms, nine of which will be hurricanes with five of those being major hurricanes.

Rising frequency of damaging storms

Over the last five years, NOAA data shows that there have been 115 weather events that caused more than $1 billion in damage costs (an average of 23 events per year), resulting in $746.7 billion in total damages. During the 1980s, there was an average of 3.3 such events per year, and in the 1990s, this rose to 5.7 billion-dollar events per year (adjusted for inflation).

Hurricanes and tropical storms typically account for a large portion of these damage costs, and every year since 2015 has seen above-average hurricane activity. The average season is 14.4 storms, 7.2 hurricanes and 3.2 major hurricanes.

This increasing frequency of large natural disasters is putting more people and businesses at risk, and highlights the need for them to plan and prepare for damaging tropical weather.

Nationwide’s own surveys indicate a rising threat level, too. According to our recent commercial property survey, 63% of commercial property stakeholders in hurricane states said they have sustained damage during the last five years, and there has been a 16% increase in reported damages over the last two years.

Infographic.

However, this increase in activity and damage is coming at a time when preparation is dropping and fewer business owners are willing to upgrade their structures. According to our survey, only 31% of commercial property stakeholders are willing to invest in measures to improve their properties’ resilience to weather events, a 22-point drop from 2023.

Stakeholders also said fewer workers would know what to do if faced with a catastrophic event. Nationally, there was a 16% drop in worker preparation from 2023, and in hurricane-risk states there was a 13% drop.

Reducing damage

It can be a matter of “when” not “if” a hurricane or tropical storm will strike the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic coastlines. Preparing for these storms ahead of time and fortifying structures to mitigate damage is critical.

This can mean modifying existing structures to newer building standards and taking risk management steps to protect property and operations.

When Hurricane Ian struck the Big Bend area of Florida, homes that were retrofitted or built to newer building codes withstood the storm better than older structures left unmodified.

The Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), a research center dedicated to understanding and mitigating natural calamities like hail, wildfire and wind-driven rain, has been studying the impact of such disasters and their aftermath. They offer resources for homeowners and businesses including disaster guides and tools for commercial loss control.

A recent insight comes from a detailed assessment of Hurricane Ian’s impact. Highlights of the IBHS research found:

  • Nearly half of the asphalt shingle roofs had detectable damage – similar to findings after Hurricane Charley struck Florida in 2004.
  • For low-slope light commercial membrane roof coverings and built-up roofs, the damage rate was over 50%. Low-slope roofs that were damaged also had more than 70% damage to flashing.
  • Steep-slope metal roofs performed very well, with a damage rate near 12%. Compared to asphalt shingles or tile, metal roofs withstood higher wind speeds with a damage rate of less than 5% in peak winds below 130 mph. However, when they were damaged, the severity was typically higher than that of asphalt shingle or tile roofs, and the underlayment material was typically damaged or removed.

A recent study by FEMA in the wake of Ian showed similar findings:

  • Of the 200 homes surveyed, 90 percent with roofs installed before 2015 had roof damage, as opposed to 28 percent for those installed after 2015, when Florida imposed new ordinances regarding how roofs are attached to houses and how waterproof they need to be.

Reducing the risk of damage – Taking proactive measures to prepare for severe weather can help mitigate damage and return to operations sooner. Life safety is a principal concern during the storm, but forward thinking can help create a more protected environment. Actions such as reinforcing large doors, installing storm shutters over windows, upgrading to more resilient roofing material, and pruning tree limbs away from buildings can make a difference if tropical weather strikes.

The Nationwide Risk Management and Client Services team has expertise and resources that can help business owners address specific risks they face from tropical storms and hurricanes. Business continuity plans can be a good starting point, in addition to developing strategies to protect property. Nationwide has also partnered with IBHS to offer safety information.

Resources

By identifying risks, preparing physical spaces, training employees, maintaining effective communication and planning for recovery, businesses can safeguard their assets, maintain continuity and protect their reputation in the face of disaster.

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