In recent years, weather and climate disasters have become increasingly frequent and severe, with many events causing at least $1 billion in damages. These events include everything from winter freezes and wildfires to droughts, floods, tornadoes, tropical cyclones, heat waves, and hailstorms. What’s striking is that many of these disasters have affected areas that were not previously considered vulnerable and highlight that natural disasters no longer follow predictable patterns.

The reality is that every region is at risk. Climate change and shifting weather patterns have brought significant weather events to areas they never threatened before:

• Tornadoes in the east: Systems once centered in the plains are now migrating to states as far away as Wisconsin and Georgia.
• Winter storms in Texas: Deep freezes, the worst lasting weeks, are now near-annual occurrences.
• Wildfires in high-rainfall states: Look at Hawaii’s unprecedented event in 2023.
• Flooding in the southwest: Most recently, normally arid areas of Arizona were deluged after record snowfalls in the Rockies resulted in unmanageable runoff.

Wind has become a critical factor in the majority of natural disasters s unrivaled speeds and changing patterns turn small fires into uncontainable events and broaden the strength as well as the reach of hurricanes.

Since all signs suggest this pattern will continue, we believe that the best path forward is for all clients, wherever they live, to be proactive in their natural disaster risk management planning. More so for types of damage, they might not historically think to expect. Here are four key trends we’ve identified as crucial for today’s natural disaster risk management:

1. Have a maintenance plan

If your local area has not been impacted by weather-related events in some time, it’s easy to let related maintenance fall by the wayside. However, as damage-causing events are more common than ever, it’s important to stay vigilant. This includes:

• Safeguarding the exterior: Once the barrier to your house is broken, damage can increase exponentially. So, keep trees trimmed, clear brush and clean gutters, inspect the roof, siding, windows, and repair as well as caulk as needed.
• Inspecting the interior: Maintain furnaces and replace filters, replace rusted parts in water heaters, and install automatic shut-off devices on water lines.

2. Backup power is now essential

Prepare for a potential loss of electricity with a diesel or propane generator. (Solar panels are not necessarily the best solution, because they can be ripped off and rendered useless by wind and convective storms.) Utilities now shut off power preemptively, especially when winds are strong, to decrease wildfire risk. At the same time, weather-event-induced outages last longer and reach further. Without power, your property quickly becomes even more susceptible to damage and loss: alarms don’t function, mold sprouts, and water lines freeze.

3. Establish an evacuation plan

In emergent situations, the people who have already mapped out and practiced evacuation routes are often the safest. So, the best time to create those plans is right now before any threat is imminent. When developing this plan, be sure to document all the details and share this with your property managers and caretakers to ensure everyone is well-practiced and informed:

• Artwork: Get custom crates crafted to hold your most important pieces and purchase fireproof blankets for outdoor sculptures. Create a fireproof bunker to store the pieces if that’s feasible. If not, arrange for a location to store your collections so they are well protected.
• Cars: Construct a weather- and fire-proofed garage, or secure a safe place off the property, preferably an inland location.

4. Create an inventory list

In the event of a loss, you will be asked to present an accurate inventory with any claim you make. You can hire a professional for the task or do it yourself; be sure to include photos as important pieces of visual documentation. At the very least, make a video as you go from room to room, capturing all your valuable pieces. Ensuring the security of your inventory is crucial. Storing in a hardware wallet, akin to a flash drive, provides robust protection, even in the face of natural disasters. 

Given the impact of significant weather events felt across the country, taking a proactive role in your property’s risk mitigation not only minimizes the possibility of significant loss but helps make your property more insurable. With limited coverage options and carriers evaluating potential customers so closely, a well-maintained home with a detailed risk management plan could be a deciding factor. If you have any questions about preparing your home for natural disasters or other risk mitigation concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out.