Forecasters anticipate below-average hurricane activity in 2026, but that doesn’t mean a risk-free season for businesses. With a wide range of possible outcomes and the potential for even a single storm to cause significant disruption, businesses cannot afford to be unprepared. Here’s what organizations can do now to get ready for potential storm activity.
Forecasting a quiet 2026
For the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a 55% chance of below-normal activity (opens a new window). Hurricane season runs between June 1 and November 30.
For 2026, NOAA anticipates eight to 14 named storms — hurricanes and tropical storms, with winds of at least 39 miles per hour — in the Atlantic basin. Of these, NOAA expects that three to six will be hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including one to three major hurricanes (winds of 111 mph or higher).
In an average season, according to NOAA, 14 named storms are formed, of which seven are hurricanes and three are major hurricanes.
The 2026 forecast follows a subdued 2025 Atlantic hurricane season in which no hurricanes made landfall in the U.S. for the first time since 2015. Only one named storm, Tropical Storm Chantal, made landfall in the U.S. during the season.
Businesses would certainly welcome another quiet hurricane season. But NOAA reported a 70% confidence in its 2026 forecast, meaning below-average activity is far from guaranteed. And even in a quiet season, a single storm could have sizable impacts on businesses and their communities.
That makes planning and preparation crucial.
A proactive approach
Preparation should begin long before any storm appears on the radar. If they have not done so already, companies with potential hurricane exposures should confirm that their hurricane preparedness plans have been fully updated.
These plans should include current contact details and vendor lists, and reflect structural features of properties related to resilience. That should include roof condition, flashing, equipment anchorage, cladding integrity, and seals around windows and penetrations. Any degraded materials, loose fasteners, or vulnerable elements should be addressed, and shutters and exterior equipment should be properly secured.
Preparedness depends on having reliable supplies and deployable protection systems. Teams should be clear on how and when to install temporary flood barriers, with deployment timelines aligned to forecast lead times. In addition, organizations should:
Clear roof drains.
Maintain site grading/runoff areas.
Ensure sump pumps are operational.
Test backup systems.
Secure fuel supplies.
Elevate or otherwise protect critical equipment from floodwater.
Using data, analytics, and technology effectively
Organizations already rely on data analytics to inform insurance purchasing decisions, including via hurricane models built on accurate and complete construction, occupancy, protection, and exposure (COPE) data. But data, analytics, and technology can be equally valuable when storms are imminent and in their immediate aftermath.
As storms develop, advanced analytics and technology can enhance situational awareness and decision-making. Data from NOAA’s National Hurricane Center, combined with event footprints from Moody’s RMS and Verisk, can provide detailed insights into storm paths, wind speeds, and surge risks.
Increasingly, AI-enabled predictive weather analytics complement traditional models to analyze large, complex datasets and simulate potential storm scenarios with multiple variables. This offers deeper insight into likely storm tracks, intensity, and impacts. Lockton clients can also leverage real-time EigenRisk alerts to better understand exposed locations and total insured values within projected wind bands.
Accurate and complete data remains critical not only for underwriting, but also for efficient claims management. Organizations should regularly review insured values to ensure they reflect current conditions, inflation, and operational changes.
Following a storm, drones and satellite imagery can support rapid, high-resolution damage assessments that enable organizations to prioritize response efforts and allocate resources more effectively. At the same time, mobile-based claims and communication tools offered by insurers can facilitate timely reporting, improve coordination, and help accelerate the overall claims process.
Before and during a storm
Taking steps in advance can enable companies to shift into active response mode when storms are imminent.
Within 48 hours of landfall, companies should establish off-site or virtual emergency command centers to coordinate decisions and communications, and activate their emergency action plans. Businesses should:
Begin shutting down noncritical operations while keeping essential systems, such as fire pumps and sump pumps, fully operational.
Inspect and clear roof systems, including gutters, drains, and flashing, ensuring water is directed away from building foundations.
Secure rooftop equipment by anchoring it directly to structural elements.
Remove any debris, loose materials, or landscaping that could become hazardous in high winds.
Ensure all backup systems are tested and ready, including generators, batteries, boilers, and communication tools.
Set up pumps, wet vacs, and related tools and verify they are functioning correctly.
Install shutters, reinforce doors, and deploy flood barriers.
Consider disconnecting electrical feeds to reduce the risk of damage or fire.
To maintain business continuity, organizations should equip employees for remote work, back up critical data, and consider moving servers or vital records offsite or protecting them in place. Businesses should reduce inventory where feasible and relocate equipment and stock to higher elevations to minimize flood exposure. Emergency and ride-out teams should be supplied with essentials, while fuel tanks for generators, vehicles, and fire pumps should be filled in advance.
Emergency teams should know the locations of utility lines and shut-off valves in case gas or water systems need to be isolated. They should also document current conditions by photographing facilities and confirming that asset inventories are accurate for insurance purposes.
During a storm, designated teams should remain inside buildings and take shelter, staying alert to potential hazards such as roof damage, compromised piping, broken windows, or structural issues. If it is safe, limited rounds may be conducted to assess damage. Critical equipment should be continuously monitored. In the event of a power outage, electrical switches should be turned off and gas valves closed. Personnel should avoid contact with floodwaters and downed power lines.
After the storm
Once a storm passes, companies should shift their operational focus to recovery and preparation of insurance claims.
The first step is for businesses to secure property from vandalism or theft. Businesses should ensure that fences and other barriers remain in place and consider retaining security guards if needed.
Thorough damage assessments should follow, with attention to hazards such as live wires, broken glass, unstable structures, and hazardous materials. Buildings, inventories, finished goods, raw materials, and office property should be inspected, with any damage documented via photographs and video. Fire protection systems should be checked and repaired, and a temporary fire watch should be established if necessary.
At the same time, businesses should assess any operational disruptions and their impacts. Are there temporary measures that might be taken to mitigate operational exposures — for example, temporary buildings to support business production and operations? It is important to note that this may be a long-term, iterative process.
As recovery efforts proceed, companies should also be readying their potential property and business interruption insurance claims, with support from their insurance brokers. Businesses may also wish to engage appropriate experts in law, accounting, or engineering for assistance.
If you suffer a loss, it is imperative that you:
Promptly report it. Notify your broker and insurer(s) with clear details on what happened, where, and when. Include all affected locations, describe the extent of damage as broadly as possible, and provide a primary contact within your organization.
Assemble a coordinated claim team. Include key stakeholders such as your risk manager, broker claim advocate, and relevant department leaders. Assign one person to manage contractors and track costs, keep adjusters informed, and document all communications and decisions in writing.
Document damage and track all costs. Capture evidence through photos, videos, and other records, and store it in an accessible location. Establish dedicated accounting codes to monitor expenses, including purchase orders, receipts, equipment costs, and any incremental or additional spending.
Focus on communication. A regular cadence of communications between insureds, brokers, and adjusting teams should be established and maintained throughout the claim process. This activity will facilitate receipt of advance funding and early identification of any disputes that could arise.
As their claims are resolved, insureds might consider working with their brokers and insurers to evaluate claim processes and find opportunities to improve efficiency. Any such findings can easily be added to business continuity plans for future use.
Whether you’re preparing in advance or responding to an approaching storm, Lockton stands ready to support you. Your Lockton team can help you organize your claim and help you make practical and efficient use of internal and external resources to accelerate your recovery and incorporate lessons learned from catastrophes to better prepare your company for future exposures. For more information or assistance, contact a member of your Lockton team.
