Hurricane season will officially begin on June 1, 2023.
For the first time in eight years, the Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, is predicting near-normal hurricane activity. An “average” hurricane season consists of 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. For 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is expecting 12 to 17 named storms, 5 to 9 of which could become hurricanes. The NOAA attributes this decrease in activity over recent years to the likelihood for El Niño to develop, which would suppress hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean.
As with years past, the 2023 hurricane season will likely bring with it a torrent of insurance coverage disputes and related litigation from the resultant storm damages. Causation disputes frequently arise as a result of hurricane and tropical storm damage. A property may be damaged by both wind, which is covered, and flooding, which is an excluded cause of loss. As such, it is important for policyholders to accurately document their losses to their insurer. Likewise, insurers need to conduct detailed investigations to determine the cause of loss and the extent of the damages resulting from a hurricane or tropical storm.
Horst Krekstein & Runyon will continue to monitor these important issues and report any significant developments. Please contact any member of our firm for more information or inquiries.