The frequency of extreme weather events has increased in recent years, putting homes nationwide at greater risk of weather-related damage that requires costly repairs. Extreme weather events can also significantly impact home insurance premiums, causing some companies to increase rates accordingly, non-renew policies, or even withdraw from the local market altogether.
The Florida home insurance crisis is a prime example of the effects extreme weather can have on insurance premiums. Hit by the most hurricanes of all 50 U.S. states since 1851, Florida is home to premiums skyrocketing at a rate five times the national average among the insurance companies still operating there.
For homeowners, paying out of pocket for repairs not covered by insurance—on top of the financial burden of elevated insurance rates—can prove devastating to any emergency savings they may have shored up. What’s more, the next extreme weather event can undo any home repairs and potentially cause even greater damage.
While innovations in the residential construction industry benefit newer homes, older homes are more prone to extensive damage and subsequent repairs that threaten their longevity. Depending on the extent of the damage, homeowners living in older homes damaged by a hurricane, flood, tornado, or fire may prioritize relocating over rebuilding. Instead of allocating funds to the best gutter guards to prevent water damage or budgeting for window replacement costs after a windstorm, homeowners may choose to seek—or build—shelter elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- A total of 27 natural disasters caused 1 billion dollars or more in 2024, exceeding the average since 2020 by four events, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
- While severe storms are the most common case type of natural disasters, tropical cyclones, or hurricanes, are the most costly, averaging $23 billion an event, according to the NOAA.
- The average cost to repair a home after a severe storm ranges from $3,000–$7,000 according to Insurance Claim Recovery Support.
- California, Florida, and Texas have the highest risk of annual property loss, while Vermont, Wyoming, and Rhode Island have the lowest risk, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Sealing and insulating your home against air leaks can increase its energy efficiency, benefiting you and your wallet year-round.
Extreme Weather Events and Trends
David Lerach, Ph.D., associate professor of meteorology at the University of Northern Colorado, emphasizes the variety of weather-related threats across the U.S. “Weather-related threats to society and residential areas are wide-ranging and vary from year to year,” he says. “Here in the U.S., the most common hazards to homeowners include localized wind and hail from severe thunderstorms, followed by tropical storms and tornadoes.”
From 1980–2024, 403 natural disasters caused $1 billion or more in damages, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). In 2024 alone, 27 climate disasters caused $1 billion or more in damage, exceeding the annual average since 2020 by four events. Compare this to an average of nine events per year from 1980–2024.
Of the 403 billion-dollar natural disaster events that have occurred from 1980–2024:
- 203 severe storms cost $514.3 billion in total.
- 67 tropical cyclone events caused $1,543.2 billion in damage.
- 45 flooding events racked up $203 billion in related costs.
Although tropical cyclones were less prevalent than severe storms from 1980–2024, they cost an average of $23 billion per event, according to the NCEI. Tropical storm damage also cost just over three times that of severe storms. Explore the chart and map below to see where weather and climate disasters strike most often.
Homeowners bear the brunt of expenses not covered by their insurance policies. The cost to repair a home after a storm ranges from $3,000–$7,000, with an average of $5,200, according to Insurance Claim Recovery Support. The cost of home repairs can include the following:
- Roof: $700–$4,000
- Windows: $250–$1,200
- Siding: $200–$1,200
- Foundation: $500–$10,000
Data collected from the Senate Budget Committee shows that the top 10 states ranked highly for insurance non-renewal in 2023 were either located on the coast or experienced $10 million or more in loss due to wildfires. The top two states for non-renewal in 2023 were Florida and Louisiana. In addition, areas where homeowners pay higher premiums are typically associated with higher non-renewal rates.
Cost of Extreme Weather by State
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rated California, Florida, and Texas as “Very High” for expected annual loss due to extreme weather. California’s expected annual building loss is the highest, at $11.3 billion, followed by Florida ($7.9 billion) and Texas ($5.5 billion). Rhode Island, Wyoming, and Vermont ranked “Very Low” for expected annual loss.
Allison Reilly, associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park, says, “Wetter areas may have more problems over time with leaky roofs and mold and mildew. Dryer and hotter areas often have more problems with material breakdown from UV stress—think doors, siding, and roofs.”
The chart and map below indicate areas of corresponding expected annual loss in each state.
| State | Expected Annual Loss Rating | Expected Annual Loss in Buildings |
|---|---|---|
| California | Very High | $11,300,000,000 |
| Florida | Very High | $7,880,000,000 |
| Texas | Very High | $5,460,000,000 |
| Louisiana | Relatively High | $2,010,000,000 |
| North Carolina | Relatively High | $1,950,000,000 |
| South Carolina | Relatively High | $1,760,000,000 |
| Washington | Relatively High | $1,500,000,000 |
| New Jersey | Relatively High | $1,320,000,000 |
| Georgia | Relatively High | $1,110,000,000 |
| Oregon | Relatively High | $958,000,000 |
| New York | Relatively High | $944,000,000 |
| Alabama | Relatively High | $903,000,000 |
| Virginia | Relatively Moderate | $750,000,000 |
| Illinois | Relatively High | $733,000,000 |
| Tennessee | Relatively Moderate | $707,000,000 |
| Mississippi | Relatively Moderate | $672,000,000 |
| Missouri | Relatively High | $629,000,000 |
| Utah | Relatively Moderate | $597,000,000 |
| Colorado | Relatively Moderate | $593,000,000 |
| Pennsylvania | Relatively Moderate | $570,000,000 |
| Massachusetts | Relatively Moderate | $512,000,000 |
| Nevada | Relatively Moderate | $483,000,000 |
| Maryland | Relatively Moderate | $480,000,000 |
| Ohio | Relatively Moderate | $475,000,000 |
| Michigan | Relatively Moderate | $455,000,000 |
| Minnesota | Relatively Moderate | $431,000,000 |
| Oklahoma | Relatively Moderate | $429,000,000 |
| Iowa | Relatively Moderate | $411,000,000 |
| Indiana | Relatively Moderate | $406,000,000 |
| Kentucky | Relatively Moderate | $398,000,000 |
| Arkansas | Relatively Moderate | $377,000,000 |
| Kansas | Relatively Moderate | $324,000,000 |
| Arizona | Relatively Moderate | $316,000,000 |
| Nebraska | Relatively Moderate | $312,000,000 |
| Wisconsin | Relatively Moderate | $292,000,000 |
| Connecticut | Relatively Low | $285,000,000 |
| Hawaii | Relatively Low | $204,000,000 |
| North Dakota | Relatively Low | $202,000,000 |
| South Dakota | Relatively Low | $183,000,000 |
| New Mexico | Relatively Low | $162,000,000 |
| Alaska | Relatively Low | $157,000,000 |
| Idaho | Relatively Low | $156,000,000 |
| Maine | Relatively Low | $135,000,000 |
| Montana | Relatively Low | $105,000,000 |
| West Virginia | Relatively Low | $104,000,000 |
| New Hampshire | Relatively Low | $98,087,344 |
| Delaware | Relatively Low | $97,540,096 |
| Rhode Island | Very Low | $70,691,766 |
| Wyoming | Very Low | $40,951,899 |
| Vermont | Very Low | $39,278,700 |
| District of Columbia | Very Low | $33,158,912 |
Do areas with more weather disturbances have higher home maintenance costs?
Weatherproofing Your Home by Extreme Weather Type
Many natural disasters threaten homes nationwide every year, from the freezing conditions of winter to heatwaves and wildfires common in the summer. Use the tips below to explore how you—with the help of a licensed contractor in some cases—can help prepare your home for inclement weather.
Severe Storms
Prepare immediately for thunderstorms and blizzards by moving items such as patio furniture into your garage, securing loose objects, and closing windows and doors. With greater warning before a storm, you can trim tree branches near your home, nail down loose boards or shingles, and cover windows with plywood.
Extreme Heat
Blocking out and reflecting the sun can help your home stay cooler in the hottest months of the year. Keep your windows covered with shades or drapes. FEMA suggests covering a piece of cardboard with aluminum foil to create your own window reflectors.
Install weather stripping along the seams of doors and windows. Use an attic ventilator or fan to circulate the rising hot air. Insulating your home is a simple tip that keeps your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Extreme Cold
Setting your thermostat to no lower than 65 Fahrenheit can help you avoid frozen pipes in the winter, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). Opening both the hot and cold flow keeps water moving through the system. You can also close the chimney flue and your garage door when not in use to keep your home insulated.
Before running your fireplace or wood stove for the first time in the season, hire a licensed contractor to inspect it to ensure it’s working properly. If you live in a wooded area, an arborist can also help you identify and mitigate branches that may threaten to fall under the weight of heavy snow. Removing these branches can help save you from a home or car insurance claim—or both.
Flooding
The majority of flood damage occurs due to rising water levels that enter the home. To help prevent flooding, move furniture, appliances, heating systems, propane tanks, electrical panels, sockets, and wiring to the highest level in your home before a storm. You can also install a water alarm, sump pump, and battery-operated backup pump—in case of power outages—in your basement to warn of and address excess water. Tzuyang Yu, Ph.D., professor of structural engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, shares how to protect the structural integrity of a house from flooding: “Masonry or concrete construction of the sidewalls is the only approach to protect the house from being washed away in major flooding,” he says. “In minor flooding, functional sump pumps are crucial in preventing flooding.”
In addition, floods caused by excessive rainfall can threaten your roof. Explore these gutter cleaning tips to ensure water doesn’t accumulate on or near your roof. If a flood is predicted in your area, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) members can receive up to $1,000 to purchase preparation supplies such as sandbags and tarps.
Hurricanes
To safeguard your home against hurricane-force winds, ensure your home’s exterior doors have at least three hinges and a deadbolt that is one inch or longer, according to FEMA. Seal any openings on the exterior of your home—such as garden hose bibs, vents, and cable or pipe routes with urethane-based caulking. Place shutters or plywood panels over windows and sliding glass doors.
You can also hire a contractor to replace your garage door with one that is rated for high winds and debris impacts. Consider hiring a glazier to install hurricane windows rated for damaging winds and debris characteristic of tropical storms, especially if you live on the coast.
Winter Weather
Insulate your home’s water lines, walls, and attic as part of your winter home protection routine. Caulk and weather-strip exterior doors. Apply clear plastic to the interior side of your home’s windows, or invest in storm or thermal-pane window replacements.
Install and regularly test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Ensure any fuel-burning equipment vents to the outside. Have your HVAC system checked out prior to running your furnace to ensure it’s in proper working order.
Wildfires
“There are simple but effective ways to lower the threat of wildfire and urban fire damage to your home,” says Lerach. “These include practicing fire-wise landscaping, meaning avoid having flammable vegetation (especially trees) within 30 feet of the structure, keep any grass/yard mowed 100 feet away from any structure, space various shrubs and trees at least 15 feet apart to limit fuel loading, and keep trees and large bushes properly trimmed.”
Keep your home’s roof and gutters free of natural flammable materials. Ensure a 10-foot gap between your home and nearby tree branches. Store any dry or combustible materials away from the house.
Connect your garden hose and purchase a ladder that reaches your roof. Keep propane tanks and gas cans in buildings set apart from your main residence. Hire a chimney sweep to ensure any flue openings incorporate spark arrestors, which are mesh screens that prevent embers from spreading.
General Tips for Weatherizing Your Home
Maintaining your home throughout the year safeguards one of your biggest assets against the destructive forces of nature. Home improvement projects—large and small—contribute to protecting your home against the distinct challenges associated with each season. Here’s a list of additional tips you can use to weatherize your home:
- If there’s any living space above your unconditioned garage, seal and insulate the space between.
- Add an attic stairs cover box or attic door insulation to keep drafts out and boost your home’s energy efficiency.
- Regulate moisture levels and ventilate your home by using exhaust fans and dehumidifiers to circulate air throughout the house.
- Routinely clean your gutters at least once or twice a year to ensure proper function.
Saglinda H. Roberts, associate professor in the Masters of Sustainable Design Program at Thomas Jefferson University, recommends regular inspections: “Inspect your house and mechanical systems regularly each spring and fall to assess for natural wear and after each extreme weather event for any damage. Repair anything you find immediately and stay up to date with maintenance.” She also suggests using “a trained professional for repairs or maintenance [if] you are unfamiliar or have not been trained.”
Insulating your home is also important to promote energy-efficiency, which can help optimize the climate in your house and lower your utility bills. Seal air leaks by caulking or weatherstripping the gaps to insulate your home. Roughly half a cartridge of caulk should suffice per window or door, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Use our guide to weatherstripping to determine which type best suits your application.
Gary Lackmann, Ph.D., professor and head of the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at North Carolina State University, offers simple strategies for improving energy efficiency: “There are basic strategies that are cost-effective and simple, such as planting deciduous trees on the sunny side of your house, thereby letting warm sun in during the winter months and providing some shade during summer heat… Adjusting blinds and other window coverings, opening and closing windows, and other basic strategies can go a long way towards regulating indoor temperatures in ways that don’t punish your utility bill.”
In addition, performing a home energy assessment can help you determine areas where you can improve energy efficiency. By increasing the efficiency of your home, you may qualify for home energy efficiency incentive programs and related tax breaks for homeowners. For example, the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit credits homeowners up to $150 for home energy audits.