2026 Hurricane Season Preparedness: Engineering Guidance for Building Owners

Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast: Below Normal Does Not Mean Low Risk 

NOAA forecasts a below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, with 8–14 named storms, 3–6 hurricanes, and 1–3 major hurricanes. The outlook reflects the likely development of El Niño, which can increase wind shear across the Atlantic and suppress storm formation. 

For building owners, facility managers, and insurers, hurricane preparedness is not about the total number of storms. It is about whether a specific property is exposed, whether vulnerable systems have been evaluated, and how quickly the building can be assessed, stabilized, documented, and repaired after an event.

Why a “Quiet” Hurricane Season Can Still Cause Major Property Losses 

A below-normal season can still produce damaging landfalls for properties across the Atlantic coast, Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific regions. Seasonal forecasts estimate basin-wide activity; they do not determine which buildings will experience wind, storm surge, flooding, debris impact, water intrusion, roof damage, façade distress, or equipment failure. 

For owners and operators, the practical question is direct: is the property ready for the storm it could experience, not the season average? 

That question matters across commercial buildings, multifamily properties, hospitals, campuses, industrial facilities, hospitality assets, public-sector buildings, and infrastructure portfolios. Even limited storm activity can create significant losses when buildings have unresolved roof conditions, vulnerable façades, aging drainage systems, exposed mechanical equipment, or inadequate post-storm response plans.

Common Hurricane Risks for Buildings 

Hurricanes can affect multiple building systems at the same time. Damage is often driven not by one isolated failure, but by cascading impacts involving wind, water, equipment disruption, access limitations, and delayed stabilization.

Common risks include: 

• Roof systems and membrane damage: High winds can damage roof membranes, flashing, copings, edge systems, rooftop penetrations, drains, and equipment curbs. Roof uplift or punctures can lead to water intrusion, interior damage, mold risk, and business interruption.
• Water intrusion for façades, glazing, and openings: Wind-driven rain, debris impact, sealant failure, glazing damage, door failure, and façade distress can allow moisture into occupied areas and concealed assemblies. Some envelope damage may not be visible without technical review. 
• Rooftop equipment: HVAC units, cooling towers, screens, ducts, exhaust fans, satellite systems, and exposed mechanical equipment are vulnerable to wind, debris, anchorage failure, and vibration-related damage. Equipment failure can affect cooling, ventilation, life safety systems, and operations. 
• Flooding and storm surge: Storm surge and flooding can damage below-grade spaces, electrical rooms, elevators, fire protection systems, generators, pumps, telecommunications equipment, and critical infrastructure. Flood pathways should be reviewed before storm season, especially at doors, loading docks, ramps, garages, basements, and utility penetrations. 
• Windborne debris: Windborne debris can damage glazing, façades, roofs, rooftop equipment, canopies, signage, screens, and exterior enclosures. Debris impact can also create openings that allow wind and water to enter the building. 
• Power loss and operational disruption: Extended outages can affect cooling capacity, communications, access control, elevators, emergency lighting, fire protection systems, medical operations, tenant continuity, and building security. 
• Mold and secondary damage: Unchecked moisture intrusion can create long-term indoor environmental and remediation challenges. Early identification of water pathways and affected assemblies helps reduce secondary damage. 
• Insurance documentation: Early technical assessments can help owners document storm-related damage, distinguish new damage from pre-existing conditions, and support insurance recovery decisions.

Submit Forensic Assignment

How Building Owners Can Prepare Before a Storm 

Effective hurricane preparedness starts before a storm is named. Owners and operators should identify vulnerabilities, address deferred maintenance, document existing conditions, and establish a technical response plan before severe weather develops. 

Priority areas for pre-storm engineering review include: 

• Roof systems, flashing, drainage, edge conditions, penetrations, and membrane integrity 
• Rooftop equipment, screens, curbs, anchorage, and exposed mechanical systems 
• Façades, glazing, sealants, doors, louvers, and other openings 
• Parking structures, canopies, signage, screens, and exposed exterior elements 
• Site drainage, flood pathways, loading docks, ramps, garages, and below-grade areas 
• Emergency generators, electrical systems, pumps, elevators, and operational redundancy 
• Emergency access, shutdown procedures, contractor readiness, and recovery documentation 

Pre-storm assessments help owners make informed decisions about repairs, temporary protection, maintenance priorities, and emergency response planning. They also create baseline documentation that can be valuable if damage occurs later.

Why Fast Post-Storm Assessments Matter 

Post-storm response is a critical part of hurricane preparedness. After a storm, owners often need to make fast decisions about safety, access, stabilization, repairs, tenant communication, operations, and insurance documentation. 

Delays can compound losses. Water intrusion can spread. Temporary repairs can conceal damage. Damaged rooftop equipment can affect building operations. Structural, envelope, or moisture-related distress may not be obvious without technical review. 

A coordinated post-storm engineering response helps owners determine: 

• What damage occurred 
• Whether the building is safe to occupy 
• What requires immediate stabilization 
• Whether temporary repairs are appropriate 
• What repair scope is needed 
• How damage should be documented 
• How to reduce future risk 

Forensic engineering assessments can also help evaluate damage causation, distinguish storm-related conditions from pre-existing distress, and support owners, insurers, and legal teams when technical documentation is required.

How We Can Help

Thornton Tomasetti’s forensic and emergency response engineering professionals support clients before and after hurricanes with vulnerability assessments, damage evaluations, emergency stabilization recommendations, repair strategies, and resilience-focused mitigation planning. 

Our teams help building owners, facility managers, insurers, and public agencies evaluate storm-related damage to structural systems, façades, roofs, building envelopes, rooftop equipment, and critical infrastructure. We also provide technical investigations, property loss consulting, expert support, and litigation support when needed. 

For owners preparing for the 2026 hurricane season, the most effective time to identify vulnerabilities is before a storm forms. The most important time to document damage is immediately after it occurs.