The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and will continue through November 30. While forecasters expect fewer storms than in recent years, industry experts caution that property owners, mortgage servicers, investors and property preservation professionals should not mistake a quieter forecast for reduced risk.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2026 season is expected to be below average, with a 55% chance of below-normal activity, a 35% chance of near-normal activity, and only a 10% chance of above normal activity. NOAA forecasts 8-14 named storms, 3-6 hurricanes, and 1-3 major hurricanes reaching Category 3 strength or higher.
The anticipated development of El Niño conditions is expected to increase wind shear across the Atlantic, making it more difficult for tropical systems to organize and strengthen. However, NOAA and other forecasters continue to emphasize that it only takes one landfalling hurricane to create catastrophic losses.
History provides numerous examples. Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida during the relatively quiet 1992 season, causing an estimated $27 billion in direct damage, making it one of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history despite an otherwise below-average year. NOAA estimates the storm's losses would exceed $55 billion in today's dollars when adjusted for inflation.
More recently, Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region in 2023 as a Category 3 storm, causing widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and property losses across multiple southeastern states, causing approximately $3.6 billion in damages. Likewise, Hurricane Nicole impacted Florida in 2022 during a season that produced fewer named storms than average, demonstrating that even lower-activity years can generate significant property damage and recovery challenges.
These events reinforce a critical lesson for property preservation professionals; seasonal forecasts indicate overall activity levels, but they do not predict where storms will make landfall or how severe their impacts may be on individual communities and property portfolios.
For organizations responsible for protecting and maintaining vacant, defaulted, or disaster-impacted properties, hurricane preparedness remains a critical operational priority.
According to NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information, the United States experienced 403 weather and climate disasters exceeding $1 billion in damages between 1980 and 2024. Tropical cyclones accounted for 67 of those events and remain the costliest disaster category overall.
NOAA data further shows that tropical cyclones generated more than $1.5 trillion in cumulative losses from 1980 through 2024, with an average cost of approximately $23 billion per event. No other weather-related hazards has produced a higher average financial impact.
The trend highlights a growing challenge for servicers, investors, insurers, and property preservation providers tasked with protecting assets before, during, and after major storms.
Hurricane activity creates significant operational demands across the mortgage servicing and property preservation sectors, including:
Pre-storm property inspections and documentation
Emergency securing and board-up services
Debris removal and hazard mitigation
Flood and water damage assessments
Roof stabilization and temporary repairs
Occupancy verification and condition reporting
Insurance claim support and loss documentation
Ongoing maintenance of vacant and defaulted properties
Following major storm events, rapid field response often becomes essential to mitigate additional deterioration, reduce liability exposure, and support recovery efforts.
As severe weather events continue to generate billions of dollars in losses nationwide, the ability to mobilize contractors, inspectors, and preservation resources quickly remains a key component of disaster readiness.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to encourage property owners and businesses to prepare before storms develop. Preparedness recommendations include reviewing emergency plans, verifying contact information, maintaining emergency supplies, documenting property conditions, and understanding flood risk.
Similarly, the National Weather Service reminds residents and businesses that preparedness should occur every year regardless of seasonal forecasts, emphasizing that a single hurricane can have life-changing consequences.
With hurricane season now underway, Safeguard Properties is ready to assist clients with disaster response and recovery efforts across the country. Supported by a nationwide network of qualified inspectors and contractors, we can rapidly deploy field resources to areas affected by hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding, and other severe weather events. Our scalable field operations support a range of critical services, including property inspections, occupancy verification, damage assessments, emergency securing, debris removal, and ongoing property preservation activities. This established network enables timely reporting and field execution, helping clients make informed decisions and manage property-related risks in the aftermath of major storm events.
Although NOAA expects fewer storms in 2026 than the long-term average, the property preservation industry remains on alert. Coastal communities, investors, mortgage servicers, and field service providers understand that seasonal activity forecasts do not eliminate the potential for significant landfall events.
Whether the season produces eight storms or 14, preparation remains the most effective strategy for protecting properties, reducing losses, and supporting recovery efforts when severe weather strikes.