According to the National Hurricane Center, the Atlantic basin saw 20 named storms in 2023, which ranks fourth for the most-named storms in a year since 1950. Seven storms were hurricanes and three intensified to major hurricanes. An average season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
Hurricane Idalia was the only U.S. landfalling hurricane in 2023. It made landfall as a category-3 hurricane on Aug. 30 near Keaton Beach, Florida, causing storm surge inundation of 7 to 12 feet and widespread rainfall flooding in Florida and throughout the southeast.
Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall as a strong tropical storm with 70 mph winds on Emerald Isle, North Carolina, on Sept. 23 causing widespread heavy rainfall, gusty winds and significant river and storm surge flooding in portions of eastern North Carolina.[1]
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 | 1.5 MB | |
| Forensic Accounting & Complex Claims Hurricane Preparedness | .6 MB |
