Tropical Storm Dolly formed over the central Atlantic on Aug. 27, becoming the fourth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season. The National Hurricane Center reported maximum sustained winds of 40 mph Thursday afternoon, with Dolly about 1,425 miles east of the Leeward Islands and moving quickly toward the Caribbean.
Forecasters expect little change in Dolly’s strength initially, followed by weakening before the system reaches the Leeward Islands. Dolly is forecast to degenerate into a tropical wave, potentially as early as Saturday. Despite that weakening, heavy rainfall could affect portions of the Leeward Islands through Sunday, creating a risk of flash flooding. Rainfall hazards could extend into the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola through Monday.
For insurance claims adjusters, Dolly is a reminder that tropical cyclone losses do not require hurricane-force winds. A weakening tropical system can still generate flood, water intrusion, roof, vehicle and business interruption claims, particularly when heavy rainfall falls over vulnerable or already saturated areas. Adjusters handling Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands may want to monitor rainfall forecasts and local flood conditions as the system approaches.
Dolly follows Arthur, Bertha and Cristobal as the fourth named storm of the Atlantic season. The 2026 season has been relatively quiet so far amid a strengthening El Niño, but individual storms can still produce concentrated losses even when overall seasonal activity is below normal.
