According to the National Hurricane Center, overall, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season had above-normal activity in terms of the number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes. In 2024, there were 18 named storms that formed in the Atlantic basin, of which 11 became hurricanes and 5 strengthened into major hurricanes (category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale). These numbers are greater than the long-term (1991 – 2020) averages of 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. In terms of Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE), which measures the strength and duration of tropical storms and hurricanes, activity in the basin in 2024 was about 34 percent above the long-term (1991 – 2020) average.[1]
We’ve created this Disaster Prep series to help you prepare for, protect against and respond to the effects of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, flood or tornado. For more information, please review the resources in our Disaster Response Center or contact your local WTW client relationship director or risk control consultant. See our other reports in this series: Disaster Prep: Flood evaluation and recovery plan Disaster Prep: Post-flood safety and security Disaster Prep: Tornado preparedness and safety Disaster Prep: Business continuity management Disaster Prep: Hurricane preparedness and action plan / 2 It’s important to keep in mind that the effects of a hurricane or tropical storm can be felt for hundreds of miles inland, not just along the coast. For example, inland flooding can be a huge concern, even if you are not physically located in a flood zone. Additionally, tornadoes are frequently spawned from hurricanes and tropical storms making landfall, so precautions are needed to protect structures and personnel from these events as well (See other installments in this series for more information about safeguarding against floods and tornadoes).
It’s important to keep in mind that the effects of a hurricane or tropical storm can be felt for hundreds of miles inland, not just along the coast. For example, inland flooding can be a huge concern, even if you are not physically located in a flood zone. Additionally, tornadoes are frequently spawned from hurricanes and tropical storms making landfall, so precautions are needed to protect structures and personnel from these events as well.
Download our hurricane response and action plan at the bottom of the page to learn how to protect your employees and your business in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm, including:
WTW has teams of highly qualified experts specializing in disciplines that provide solutions to issues that are critical to our clients. Our National Property Claims and Forensic Accounting & Complex Claims (FACC) practice include: certified public accountants, forensic accountants, property claim consultants, certified fraud examiners, project managers, FEMA experts, and engineering and construction consultants, with colleagues residing in multiple offices around the world.
The senior leaders of the National Property Claims and FACC teams have worked on some of the most challenging and complex insurance claims resulting from some of the world’s largest catastrophes and disasters, such as Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina, and the more recent Hurricanes Ian, Harvey, Irma and Maria. These teams have been successful in quantifying and recovering billions of dollars on behalf of clients.
| Title | File Type | File Size |
|---|---|---|
| Hurricane preparedness and action plan | 7.4 MB | |
| Forensic Accounting & Complex Claims - Catastrophic event | .1 MB |
