5 hidden hurricane risks for Gulf Coast homeowners

In the face of climate change and a potentially above-average hurricane season, more insurers along the Gulf Coast are taking a proactive approach and creating action plans with their insureds to best prevent loss when storms hit. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted an active 2022 hurricane season, with a potential for 14-21 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes and 3-6 major hurricanes (winds over 111 mph). These winds are rough on roofs, and careful selection of both roof material and shape is especially important for homes in hurricane-prone areas. According to a recent Arturo report about hurricane exposure and Gulf homes, asphalt shingles are the most common type of roof (71.9%), followed by concrete tile (13.5%) and metal (6.1%). Standard asphalt roofs – even if they're new and in good shape, which many aren't – may not be able to withstand winds over 110mph, however, so a more wind-resistant choice like metal would be better for preventing roof loss in hurricane-prone areas. The shape of your roof matters when it comes to hurricane-resistance, as well. According to Arturo's report, 42.3% of homes in the states they studied have a hip roof, and 49.6% have a gable roof. Hip roofs are roofs in which all sides slope downward with no vertical ends, while gable roofs have a wall extending upward between the roof's edges. There's evidence hip roofs perform better in wind because of their strong structural design, but gable roofs are cheaper to build, so they're a popular choice. In the slideshow above, we'll look at some of the more hidden hurricane exposures for homeowners to consider as they prepare for a stormy 2022 season, courtesy of Arturo's "Hurricane Exposure: The State of Gulf Homes" report.

Related:

• Weather-related events causing surge losses
• Roofs on most Gulf Coast homes are susceptible to hurricane damage
• Helping commercial clients prepare for a hurricane