Hurricanes rank as one of the most expensive natural disasters in America, and scientists have predicted an “extremely active” 2024 season. While upgrading your home to ward off potential damage can be expensive, it could save you a lot in the long run as storms grow in intensity due to climate change.
A 2022 analysis of hurricane-resistant construction found that around $8 billion could be saved each year by preventing physical damage to home from windstorms if the buildings had stronger connections between walls and roof, or tighter nail spacing. The average cost in the U.S. to upgrade a house with hurricane windows is between $1,128 and $10,293—about $100 to $500 per window, including installation.
“Now’s the time to prepare and have a plan in place,” said Phil Klotzbach, senior research scientist at the Department of Atmospheric Science of Colorado State University. “You don’t want to be making these preparations at the last minute.”
Record-warm tropical and eastern subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures will likely cause more hurricanes and tropical storms to form this year, researchers at Colorado State University have said. Currently, the forecast sits at 23 named named storms, 11 of which are expected to evolve into hurricanes, and five of those are predicted reach category 3, 4 or 5 storms.
