WEATHERING
THE STORM
your home ready.
From coast to coast, Americans are affected by severe weather, and threats like hurricanes, floods and wildfires are increasing as well. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans live in a county that was hit by a weather disaster in summer 2021,1 and natural disasters around the world have doubled over the past 20 years.2
The devastation can be profound. In 2020 alone, extreme weather led to more than $95 billion in damages — almost double from the year before.3 Fortunately, it is possible to help prepare your home for severe weather, and those preparations can make a large difference in how families and their homes fare when disaster strikes.
REALTORS® — real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and adhere to its strict code of ethics — are often on the front lines of local recovery efforts in their communities, distributing essential relief and helping families restore and rebuild. As part of their community expertise, REALTORS® also help their clients understand the weather risks in the area, ways to make a home as weather-resilient as possible, and the steps to take if disaster strikes.
Below, read up on the four key weather threats affecting the U.S., get tips from REALTORS® to help you prepare for each threat, and learn what you should ask an agent when you’re in the market for a home that is likely to face these weather threats.
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HURRICANES
In recent decades, hurricanes have not only become more frequent;4 they’ve also grown stronger.
In recent decades, hurricanes have not only become more frequent;4 they’ve also grown stronger.
The chances that any given hurricane will develop into a serious Category 3 storm (or higher) has increased by roughly 10 percent per year since the late 1970s.5
The chances that any given hurricane will develop into a serious Category 3 storm (or higher) has increased by roughly 10 percent per year since the late 1970s.5
The destruction those stronger storms can cause is significant, particularly when they occur back-to-back. Homes can be ripped apart by high winds or flooded by torrential rains, while coastal structures are at risk from storm surges and large waves. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season alone was responsible for an estimated $65 billion in losses, a figure that includes property damage.6 A recent report suggests that more than 32 million homes on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are at risk of hurricane wind damage — homes that have a combined value of $8.5 trillion.7
So if you live in a hurricane-prone area, be sure to follow these steps at the start of every hurricane season or when a big storm threatens:
Questions to ask an
agent and REALTOR®
- How high above sea level is this home?
- What are the benefits and risks of buying on the beach vs. a few blocks in?
- What are the evacuation routes out of the area in case of mandatory evacuations?
- Can you share more information on the importance of flood insurance and flood insurance rates?
- Can you recommend an insurance professional?
- 1. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/more-frequent-severe-climate-fueled-disasters-exacerbate-humanitarian-crises/
- 2. https://reliefweb.int/report/world/world-disasters-report-2020-come-heat-or-high-water-tackling-humanitarian-impacts
- 3. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/beyond-data/2020-us-billion-dollar-weather-and-climate-disasters-historical
- 4. https://rismedia.com/2020/12/15/rallying-realtors-tally-five-million-volunteer-hours/
- 5. https://wildfiretoday.com/2020/09/20/man-charged-with-setting-fire-in-southern-oregon-that-burned-15-properties/
- 6. https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/climate-change-nd.pdf
- 7. https://fmdiversion.gov/
WILDFIRES
The 2020 wildfire season was one for the record books, burning more than 10 million acres.8 And experts fear 2021 may conclude just as badly.
The 2020 wildfire season was one for the record books, burning more than 10 million acres.8 And experts fear 2021 may conclude just as badly.
Already, California has been walloped by two massive fires, each of which burned almost 1 million acres9 (an area larger than the state of Rhode Island).
Already, California has been walloped by two massive fires, each of which burned almost 1 million acres9 (an area larger than the state of Rhode Island).
Nearly 9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by humans,10 making prevention the most important factor in preventing fire destruction. Still, fires can and will happen. An estimated 89,000 structures have been destroyed by wildfires since 2005,11 and more often than not, homes don’t spontaneously ignite as the main fire passes.12 Home ignition is much more likely to start as embers blow and land on or near a structure, entering the home through openings or vents or igniting surrounding vegetation.
That’s why hardening your home and creating a fire-smart yard are so important. Here’s how to plan ahead of fire season.
Questions to ask an
agent and REALTOR®
- Has this home ever burned in or been threatened by a wildfire?
- Has the seller indicated whether the house and roof are built with any fire-resistant materials?
- Are there restrictions to adjusting the landscape to be more of a fire barrier?
- Is there a heat-activated sprinkler system?
- 1. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/more-frequent-severe-climate-fueled-disasters-exacerbate-humanitarian-crises/
- 2. https://reliefweb.int/report/world/world-disasters-report-2020-come-heat-or-high-water-tackling-humanitarian-impacts
- 3. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/beyond-data/2020-us-billion-dollar-weather-and-climate-disasters-historical
- 4. https://rismedia.com/2020/12/15/rallying-realtors-tally-five-million-volunteer-hours/
- 5. https://wildfiretoday.com/2020/09/20/man-charged-with-setting-fire-in-southern-oregon-that-burned-15-properties/
- 6. https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/climate-change-nd.pdf
- 7. https://fmdiversion.gov/
FLOODING
Few forces are as destructive to homes as water, and nowhere in the United States is immune to flooding, whether flash flooding, coastal or river flooding, or groundwater flooding.
Few forces are as destructive to homes as water, and nowhere in the United States is immune to flooding, whether flash flooding, coastal or river flooding, or groundwater flooding.
Floods are the most common type of natural disaster, and they put more lives at risk than tornadoes, hurricanes, or lightning.13
Floods are the most common type of natural disaster, and they put more lives at risk than tornadoes, hurricanes, or lightning.13
In many parts of the country, flooding is also getting worse. Coastal flooding, for example, has doubled over the past several decades. Experts warn that flash floods — when water rises quickly and flows with speed and power, often as a result of severe thunderstorms or hurricanes — are also on the rise. Flooding can damage a home’s wiring, gas lines, furnace, septic system, and appliances and can cause or widen foundation cracks. It can also contribute to the growth of mold.
No matter the type of flood, there are simple steps you can take to help protect your home before and even while the waters rise.
Questions to ask an
agent and REALTOR®
- Could you show us a flood map of our neighborhood?
- Does this house have a generator and/or sump pumps?
- Can you share more information on the importance of flood insurance and flood insurance rates? Can you recommend an insurance professional?
- Do you know how the drainage is in the area, and have there been improvements made to try to prevent further flooding?
- 1. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/more-frequent-severe-climate-fueled-disasters-exacerbate-humanitarian-crises/
- 2. https://reliefweb.int/report/world/world-disasters-report-2020-come-heat-or-high-water-tackling-humanitarian-impacts
- 3. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/beyond-data/2020-us-billion-dollar-weather-and-climate-disasters-historical
- 4. https://rismedia.com/2020/12/15/rallying-realtors-tally-five-million-volunteer-hours/
- 5. https://wildfiretoday.com/2020/09/20/man-charged-with-setting-fire-in-southern-oregon-that-burned-15-properties/
- 6. https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/climate-change-nd.pdf
- 7. https://fmdiversion.gov/
DROUGHT
Unlike other types of extreme weather, drought creeps up slowly and its impact on homes is perhaps more subtle.
Unlike other types of extreme weather, drought creeps up slowly and its impact on homes is perhaps more subtle.
Still, the damage extreme dryness can cause is real. Foundations can settle and crack. The risk for wildfires increases.
Still, the damage extreme dryness can cause is real. Foundations can settle and crack. The risk for wildfires increases.
Unfortunately, about half of the United States is currently experiencing drought — and the situation is expected to become worse in the years to come.14 While droughts are caused by prolonged stretches of less-than-average rain or snowfall, people’s behavior can impact the overall toll droughts take on their community. By reducing their personal water use, families can help protect their homes from drought.
Questions to ask an
agent and REALTOR®
- Has the seller provided any information on whether the current landscaping is drought-resistant?
- Does the homeowner’s association allow for modifications like xeriscaping or artificial grass?
- Do you know about any local restrictions on watering?
- Do you have a list of landscapers who can handle a conversion from lawn to drought-resistant landscaping?
- 1. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/more-frequent-severe-climate-fueled-disasters-exacerbate-humanitarian-crises/
- 2. https://reliefweb.int/report/world/world-disasters-report-2020-come-heat-or-high-water-tackling-humanitarian-impacts
- 3. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/beyond-data/2020-us-billion-dollar-weather-and-climate-disasters-historical
- 4. https://rismedia.com/2020/12/15/rallying-realtors-tally-five-million-volunteer-hours/
- 5. https://wildfiretoday.com/2020/09/20/man-charged-with-setting-fire-in-southern-oregon-that-burned-15-properties/
- 6. https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/climate-change-nd.pdf
- 7. https://fmdiversion.gov/
As part of their community expertise, REALTORS® can help their clients understand the weather risks in the area, ways to make a home as weather-resilient as possible, and the steps to take if disaster strikes.
- 1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/09/04/climate-disaster-hurricane-ida/
- 2. https://www.undrr.org/publication/human-cost-disasters-overview-last-20-years-2000-2019
- 3. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/beyond-data/2020-us-billion-dollar-weather-and-climate-disasters-historical
- 4. https://nca2014.globalchange.gov/report/our-changing-climate/changes-hurricanes
- 5. https://www.pnas.org/content/117/22/11975
- 6. https://www.captive.com/news/estimate-pegs-2020-us-hurricane-season-losses-at-up-to-65-billion
- 7. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hurricanes-threaten-32-million-u-s-homes/
- 8. https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/wildfire-season-how-to-practice-fire-mitigation-and-protect-neighborhood/
- 9. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/148908/whats-behind-californias-surge-of-large-fires
- 10. https://www.doi.gov/blog/10-tips-prevent-wildfires
- 11. https://headwaterseconomics.org/natural-hazards/structures-destroyed-by-wildfire/
- 12. https://firesafemarin.org/harden-your-home/how-homes-ignite/
- 13. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/flooding-and-climate-change-everything-you-need-know
- 14. https://www.nrdc.org/stories/drought-everything-you-need-know