Last year, severe convective storms (SCS) caused $51 billion in insured losses in the United States, marking yet another year in which storm damage crossed the $50 billion threshold. That made 2025 the third costliest year on record for SCS, according to Swiss Re (opens a new window).
So far, 2026 has shaped up to be an active year, with several springtime storm systems buffeting the Midwest, Upper Plains, and other regions. While it’s too early in the year to predict SCS damage, it’s not too soon for organizations to take precautions to mitigate the catastrophic effects these unpredictable, powerful storms can have on their properties.
Preparing well ahead of time
SCS’s main hazards are wind, lightning, hail damage, and flash flooding. Unlike hurricanes, property owners may only have a short time – if any – to plan for and react to an incoming storm.
To be as prepared as possible, organizations should develop and update their emergency action plans ahead of peak SCS season – often spring and fall. These plans should include where employees go in the event of an SCS, an alarm system to warn employees of an imminent storm, and a way to account for everyone after the storm has passed.
Continuity plans for carrying on business during power outages or different building damage scenarios should be reviewed and updated. This is particularly important for organizations expected to continue operating during and after a storm, such as hospitals and government agencies. This should include adopting or checking agreements with vendors that can provide equipment and restoration services.
Inspecting and documenting property
Ahead of storm season, organizations should inspect roofs and repair areas that show:
Bubbling.
Blistering.
Cracks.
Any repairs should be documented and photographed for comparison later if an SCS occurs. Rooftop equipment should be anchored or strapped down.
Other measures to prepare and protect property ahead of time include:
Trim or remove nearby trees to reduce the hazard they pose to buildings.
Check doors and windows to ensure caulking, gaskets, and tape provide a proper seal against air, water, and moisture infiltration.
Inspect and test wind and flood protection equipment.
Test the sump pumps to ensure they are in working order.
Inspect and store any flood or wind barriers, such as garage braces and storm shutters.
Key employees, such as facilities managers, maintenance workers, designated safety personnel and others, should tour properties to identify the locations of electrical circuit boxes, utility lines, and water and natural gas shutoff valves.
Maintain equipment inventories and take photos of the property for potential future claims.
Contact your preferred restoration company to verify emergency contact names and numbers, and to understand the available resources and the timeline for responding to an event.
If a severe storm is in the forecast
Long-range forecasts can offer some clues about the potential of an SCS. But it’s typically the forecasts issued 24 to 48 hours in advance that offer relatively reliable insights about their severity, possible locations, and timing.
In these instances, organizations should regularly track forecasts and assess the likelihood of tornadoes, hail, and intense, sustained rainfall.
If conditions are still safe:
Check the roofs again and remove any loose debris.
Rooftop heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) panels and other equipment should be fastened to keep anything from going airborne in high winds.
Check gutters and drains to make sure they are not clogged or loose.
Ensure that drainage equipment, such as downspouts, directs stormwater away from building foundations.
Test any backup equipment, such as batteries, boilers, and communications equipment like walkie-talkies.
Have fuel on hand for generators, fire pumps, and vehicles.
Back up servers and computers, and consider relocating vital records to places where they will likely remain dry.
Provide employees with equipment to perform their jobs remotely if a storm renders a facility inoperable.
