2026 Hurricane Season
Water Damage Response Hub
Storm-by-storm water damage help for coastal homeowners. When a storm makes landfall, we publish a dedicated response page with local restoration guidance, insurance steps, and 24/7 certified pros — bookmark this hub before you need it.
Active Storm Response
No active U.S. landfall threats being tracked on this hub right now.
When a named storm threatens the U.S. coast, its dedicated response page appears here within hours of the forecast. Meanwhile, use the quiet time: the preparedness steps below take one afternoon and save five figures. Official forecasts: National Hurricane Center.
The 3-Phase Hurricane Water Damage Playbook
Before (do this now)
- Buy flood insurance TODAY if you don't have it — NFIP has a 30-day waiting period
- Document every room and valuable on video, backed up to cloud storage
- Find your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov
- Locate your main water shutoff and breaker panel
- Photograph your roof and exterior — pre-storm condition evidence wins claims
During landfall
- Never walk or drive through floodwater — 6 inches moves you, 12 inches moves cars
- Treat all floodwater as sewage-contaminated (IICRC Category 3)
- Move to upper floors if surge enters — do not enter attics without exits
- Keep phones charged and emergency numbers written on paper
After the all-clear
- Photograph ALL damage before moving anything
- Call a certified restoration pro immediately — mold starts in 24–48 hours
- File flood and homeowners claims the same day
- Refuse door-knocking contractors; verify licenses first
- Keep every receipt — evacuation costs may be reimbursable
Local Hurricane Water Damage Guides
City-specific response times, costs, flood-risk neighborhoods, and 24/7 help for hurricane-exposed metros:
South Carolina
North Carolina
Mississippi
Lessons from Past Hurricanes
Damage data, insurance outcomes, and recovery lessons from the storms that shaped U.S. flood policy:
Hurricane Milton (2024)
$35 billion (preliminary) damage · FL
Hurricane Ian (2022)
$112 billion damage · FL, SC
Hurricane Ida (2021)
$75 billion damage · LA, MS, AL, TX, PA, NJ, NY
Hurricane Florence (2018)
$24 billion damage · NC, SC, VA
Hurricane Harvey (2017)
$125 billion damage · TX, LA
Hurricane Irma (2017)
$77 billion damage · FL, GA, SC
Hurricane Katrina (2005)
$186 billion (inflation-adjusted to 2023) damage · LA, MS, AL, FL
2026 Hurricane Season — Water Damage FAQ
- 1photograph and video all damage before touching anything,
- 2treat all floodwater as Category 3 contaminated — it carries sewage, chemicals, and debris,
- 3call a certified restoration company immediately since mold colonizes within 24–48 hours in post-storm humidity,
- 4file your insurance claim the same day, and
- 5never sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) agreement from a door-knocking contractor without reading your policy.
When is the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs June 1 through November 30, 2026, with peak activity historically between mid-August and mid-October.
The most damaging U.S. landfalls — Harvey, Ian, Ida, Katrina — all occurred in that peak window. If you live in a coastal state, your preparation should be complete before mid-August.
Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane flood damage?
NoThis is the most expensive misunderstanding in hurricane recovery.
Standard homeowners policies cover wind damage (with a separate hurricane deductible in most coastal states) but exclude flood damage, including storm surge and rising rainwater. Flood coverage requires a separate NFIP or private flood policy, and NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period — you cannot buy coverage when a storm is already named.
What should I do about water damage immediately after a hurricane?
Wait for the official all-clear, then:
How much does hurricane water damage restoration cost?
Post-hurricane restoration typically runs $5,000–$25,000+ for flooded single-family homes because storm surge and rising water are Category 3 events requiring full decontamination, not just drying.
Costs spike after major storms due to demand. Documented losses from a named storm are handled through your flood policy (if you have one) — restoration contractors experienced with NFIP claims can bill the insurer directly.
How do I avoid contractor scams after a hurricane?
Storm chasers follow hurricanes. Red flags: they arrived unsolicited, demand cash upfront, can't show a state license number, pressure you to sign an AOB immediately, or have out-of-state plates and no local address.
Verify every contractor's license at your state's official portal before signing — we maintain free searchable license directories for licensed states.
Who do I call right now for water damage?
Call (888) 840-6512. The line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects you with an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company that serves your area.
Describe what you can see — where the water is coming from, how long it has been there, and whether it smells — and the dispatcher routes you to a crew that handles that kind of loss. If the source is a pipe or an appliance, shut the main water valve first; the call itself takes under two minutes.
Storm Damage? Every Hour Counts.
IICRC-certified pros in every hurricane state. Free guidance, 24/7.
Talk to a water damage pro now
Answered 24/7 · Free call · Your ZIP routes you to the nearest crew
(888) 840-6512- Describe the damage & give your ZIP
- You're routed to the on-call local crew
- They quote — you decide, no obligation