Disasters in 2024 weren't limited to tropical storms: The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) reports that as of November 1, 2024, there have been 24 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect the United States. We'll look at hurricanes and wildfires that were prominently in the news in 2024 and explore their extensive damage to property across the U.S.
Hurricanes
Fortunately, hurricane season ended this year with a whimper rather than a bang. The relative calm in November was an outlier, though. The season, running from June 1 to November 30, was tumultuous, with four hurricanes hitting the U.S., each exceeding a billion dollars in damages. These significant hurricanes share the common hazards of tropical storms: flooding due to storm surge, extensive rain, and high winds. The hurricanes that had the most impact were:
Beryl: Hitting Texas early in the season on July 8, Beryl produced more than 50 tornadoes across eastern Texas, western Louisiana and southern Arkansas. Its signature arose from the power outages it caused, with over 3 million hit by a loss of power.
Debby: Initially making landfall in north Florida on the Gulf, Debby cut across the state and made a second landfall in South Carolina as a tropical storm. It traveled north along the East Coast, with its remnants leading to flash flooding in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and southeastern New York.
Helene: The deadliest hurricane of the season, Helene struck the Big Bend area of Florida on September 26. Its most severe impacts were from extensive rainfall and flooding, particularly affecting western North Carolina, where the mountainous terrain contributed to deadly flash flooding and mudslides.
Milton: Following on the heels of Helene, Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida on October 9. In addition to storm surge and destructive winds, Milton’s key danger arose from the dozens of tornadoes it spawned, causing extensive damage throughout southern Florida.
Tips and takeaways from hurricane season:
Each hurricane inflicted special damage, emphasizing that no two hurricanes are alike. Each hurricane's actual path and destructive force is hard to predict; ultimately, preparation is key.
Storm surge hazards are difficult to mitigate if you’re near the Gulf or Atlantic coast. The most essential tools you can use would be an evacuation plan, a communication plan, an emergency toolkit, and access to an early warning system.
For those further inland, high winds, rain and inland flooding are more likely to cause damage. Home and business preparations should include:
- Inspect and reinforce your roof.
- Bring loose items inside and trim trees and foliage to minimize debris damage.
- Close windows, doors and hurricane shutters, or board up windows and doors with plywood.
- Know how to turn off your utilities.
Wildfires
The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports that 51,320 wildfires have burned 8,142,689 acres since January 1, 2024. Interestingly, the number of wildfires is slightly below the 10-year average of 53,747, while the acres burned are well above the average of 6,590,182.
While Easterners might shrug off wildfires as a problem for western states, numerous wildfires have plagued eastern states late this year, especially along the northern Appalachian trail and parts of New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts. Drought conditions, affecting large swaths of the U.S. this past year, increased the risk of wildfires in a broader range of locations.
New Mexico wildfires: The worst of the wildfires, at least in terms of economic impact, with over 1 billion dollars of damage, was the New Mexico wildfires that broke out in June of this year. They caused extensive fire and smoke damage to homes, vehicles, businesses, agriculture and other infrastructure. One fire in particular, the South Fork Fire, which started near Ruidoso, New Mexico, spread especially rapidly and destroyed more than 1,000 structures.
Tips and takeaways from wildfire season:
- Ensure your roof is fire-resistant, as it is especially vulnerable to fire. Metal and tile are the most fire-resistant options, but any Class A roof (a roofing material that is effective against severe fire exposure) will be sufficient.
- Ensure your deck is constructed with boards at least two inches thick or using fire-resistant materials. Enclose any openings under the deck so embers cannot drift underneath.
- Clear a safety zone of at least 30 feet around the home, making it less likely for anything to catch a spark. The space around your home should be free of vegetation and other combustibles like wood piles or dried leaves. Then, clear a second zone up to 100 feet away from your home for added protection.
- Replace single-pane windows for more heat protection. Fire can heat up windows and ignite drapes and other materials inside. Adding dual or triple-pane windows and fire-resistant shutters can help keep your interior protected.
- Create a wildfire preparedness plan and walk through it with your family. This plan should include possible escape routes, meeting points, and an emergency preparedness kit with all the essentials you’ll need if you must evacuate.
At ServiceMaster DSI, we understand disasters or damage can happen at any moment's notice. Our team of experts understands the importance of getting things back to normal quickly and efficiently. We provide prompt and reliable service to restore your property to its pre-loss condition.
For more information, contact us at 844-413-3130. We are ready to respond 24/7/365.
