The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, ending with 18 named storms, saw record-breaking storms, including Hurricane Milton, which inflicted billions in insured losses across the U.S.

The Insurance Information Institute’s latest report highlights the increasing flood risks faced by inland areas due to shifting weather patterns. Hurricanes, tropical storms, and thunderstorms are pushing the boundaries of flood-prone regions, underscoring the need for better insurance coverage, flood resilience, and mitigation strategies to bridge the protection gap in non-coastal communities.

Insurance claims in Florida from Hurricanes Helene and Milton have reached $4.775 billion, up $169 million from last week’s total. The storms have left extensive residential and commercial property damage, according to the Office of Insurance Regulation.

The devastation from Hurricane Helene reveals a significant inland flood-protection gap, particularly in flood-prone communities without sufficient insurance coverage, where misinformation and funding challenges further slow recovery efforts.

Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, caused catastrophic flooding and destruction from Florida’s coast to the Southern Appalachians. Research shows climate change intensified its rainfall, winds, and flooding risks.

Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm expected to strike Florida, threatens to deplete U.S. property/casualty insurers’ catastrophe budgets and test global reinsurers’ limits, though most are expected to weather the storm without significant capital impacts.

The Waffle House Index, a quirky yet reliable gauge of storm severity, shows widespread closures across Florida as Hurricane Milton approaches, warning of significant damage and disruption.

As climate-intensified storms expose the limitations of FEMA’s outdated flood maps, millions of Americans may face flood risks without adequate insurance protection, especially in areas prone to heavy rainfall.

Hurricane Milton, set to make landfall as a Category 3 storm, could bring catastrophic impacts to Florida’s Gulf Coast, particularly the Tampa area, just two weeks after Hurricane Helene’s devastation.

Hurricane Milton, now a powerful Category 4 storm, is set to make landfall midweek in Florida, bringing life-threatening storm surges, heavy rain, and strong winds.

Hurricane Helene’s estimated insured losses range between $5 billion and $9 billion, but S&P Global believes the event will affect earnings without jeopardizing the capital of US property and casualty insurers.

FEMA is running low on disaster relief funds as it responds to Hurricane Helene, which caused severe damage across several Southeastern states. Congress may need to pass additional funding to sustain relief efforts.

U.S. dockworkers have suspended their strike after reaching a tentative agreement with terminal operators, securing a wage increase and agreeing to continue negotiations in January.

Economic estimates for Hurricane Helene project up to $160 billion in damage, driven by widespread infrastructure failure, property loss, business disruption, and long-term recovery costs.

Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic flooding from Florida to North Carolina exposes the serious lack of flood insurance coverage among homeowners, especially in inland areas, highlighting the increasing risks from extreme weather events.