As the chill of winter fades, signs of spring begin to appear—tree buds, early blooms—and thoughts turn to warmer weather. It’s easy to forget that this season is also marked by some of the year's most severe weather. Tornadoes, hail, heavy rain, and hurricanes are all common in spring, which is why being prepared ahead of time is important.
This spring has already “roared like a lion,” showing signs of an early start to storm season. An early March storm outbreak put over 6 million Americans at high risk of severe weather, including tornadoes, across the central U.S. from Texas to Missouri. Emergency officials are urging residents to take action now to prepare and stay alert as tornado season begins—especially in traditionally vulnerable areas like Tornado Alley and Dixie Alley.
Last spring brought similarly intense storms nationwide, with 21 of the 23 billion-dollar disasters tied to severe convective storms, mainly concentrated in spring and summer.
The widespread damage from the 2025 spring storms highlights the importance of taking spring weather seriously.
In the Atlantic, hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, while in the Pacific, it begins earlier—mid-May through November 30. Although 2025 was a relatively quiet season for the Atlantic with no hurricanes making U.S. landfall for the first time in a decade, it’s important to stay vigilant. Past seasons aren’t necessarily indicative of future activity.
Now is the time to prepare your home. This may include ensuring your shutters are ready, finalizing evacuation plans, and stocking emergency supplies. Our Risk Advisory team offers tips and insights on making your properties more resilient against high winds, flooding, and heavy rain.
Hailstorms are among the costliest weather events. In 2024, it’s estimated that hailstones two inches or larger hit 500,000+ homes across the U.S., with a combined reconstruction cost value (RCV) of $160 billion.
Later in this article, we provide relevant tips on preparation. At a high level, consider how you will prepare for power outages, where you could go if a storm escalates, and what actions you could take to fortify your home—from installing lightning rods to upgrading your roof. These measures may seem minor but neglecting them may cause significant damage to your roof, car, or wallet.
With more than 250,000 lightning strikes in 2025—primarily concentrated in spring and summer across Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Kansas—it may be wise to consider safety upgrades beyond just lightning rods or EMP defense.
Lightning rod: If you don’t already have one, consider having a professional install a lightning rod on your roof. It’s designed to safely direct lightning strikes to the ground, helping protect your home from damage.
EMP defense: An EMP shield could help protect your home’s electronics from electromagnetic pulses caused by solar storms or lightning strikes.
Surge protection: Use surge protectors for electrical, cable, and internet lines to safeguard sensitive appliances.
Ground systems: Ensure home generators and electrical systems are properly grounded.
Proactive maintenance: Regularly inspect chimneys, roofs, and electrical systems to reduce fire risks.
While lightning strikes are just one possible outcome of severe storms, a single strike can damage electronics and pose a safety threat.
Spring storm outbreaks that spawn tornadoes are common, and tornadoes are among the most dangerous weather threats. They often bring blackened skies, swirling dirt, and paths of destruction.
It’s essential to know your emergency plan well before the wind picks up and sirens blare. Review your plan annually and make sure everyone in your household knows the safest place to go when a tornado threatens.
Consider investing in a dedicated storm shelter. Protecting your family’s life is a top priority during tornadoes. Having a designated storm shelter may improve safety. For guidance on safe rooms and shelters, consult resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and review our team’s insights on withstanding severe storms.
Now that you understand the risks, it’s time to spring into action with guidance from our Risk Advisory Practice. Our team is here to help you assess risks and recommend strategies to prepare your properties and fortify your home.
If your roof has been damaged in past storms, it’s important to make the necessary repairs. Investing in a resilient roof may improve your home’s ability to withstand severe weather—and it may be a cost-effective choice. Investing in resilience is 13 times more efficient than spending on recovery costs after an event.
If you have a classic wood shake or shingle roof, be aware that this type of roofing is increasingly seen as vulnerable. Many insurance companies charge higher premiums or refuse to cover wood-roofed homes altogether due to their vulnerability.
Consider replacing wood shakes or shingles with synthetic roofing products. These materials often outperform asphalt shingles and are designed to resist wind, hail, and other impacts—potentially reducing long-term repair costs and improving your home’s protection.
Protecting your home requires understanding the specific risks in your area, such as hail or hurricanes. That’s where the FORTIFIED Roof program comes in. It offers three tiers of roofing materials and construction standards designed to improve resilience:
Upgrading to FORTIFIED standards may enhance your home’s resilience and could lead to lower insurance premiums or help maintain your home's long-term insurability.
One simple, free tip from our team: park your vehicles in the garage and secure outdoor possessions like grills, trampolines, furniture, and bikes. This helps prevent damage from hail and flying debris during strong winds. For added protection, consider using tarps or specialized coverings during storms.
By taking proactive steps before spring storms arrive, you may help protect your home, minimize damage, and keep your family safe. For personalized recommendations tailored to your property, please reach out to schedule a spring storm risk assessment with our Risk Advisory team.
Request an insurance review with an experienced Personal Risk Advisor to ensure you're adequately insured for whatever life may bring.
Risk Advisory Leader
