Hurricanes & Tropical Storms

A hurricane or tropical storm can damage roofs, windows, vehicles, and personal belongings. Even when a property avoids major structural damage, families may still face power outages, spoiled food, debris, temporary displacement, unsafe roads, and cleanup hazards after the storm passes. Hurricanes are dangerous not only because of wind, but also because of flooding and storm surge.

For Businesses

For businesses, the impact can go well beyond physical damage. Storms can interrupt operations, reduce customer access, delay deliveries, damage inventory or equipment, and create safety concerns for employees, vendors, and customers. Employers may also need to manage temporary closure decisions, remote work arrangements, cleanup risks, and reopening timelines.

Many people focus on wind first, but storm surge is often one of the greatest threats to life and property in a hurricane. Another common misconception is that only a direct hit matters. In reality, tropical systems can cause serious problems through rainfall, flooding, surf, and coastal impacts even when the center of the storm is not directly overhead. Another blind spot is insurance. Many people do not realize until it’s too late that most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) notes that many standard property policies do not cover flood losses. That is why reviewing coverage before the season starts matters just as much as stocking supplies.

Before the Storm

• Build a household or business emergency plan
• Identify who makes decisions
• Where you would go if you had to evacuate
• How you would communicate if phones or power are disrupted
• What supplies you need to have on hand

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and ready.gov recommend assembling disaster supplies, documenting possessions, checking insurance, and reviewing evacuation routes before hurricane season is underway.

For homes and condo residents, preparation may include:

• Securing loose outdoor items, charging devices, protecting important papers, and understanding building procedures.

For businesses, preparation may include:

• Protecting records
• Backing up key systems
• Reviewing emergency contacts
• Confirming vendor responsibilities

Planning how payroll, customer communication, and reopening decisions would be handled if operations are disrupted

After the Storm

After the storm, focus on safety first.

• Return only when local officials say it is safe
• Watch for downed power lines, standing water, structural damage, and cleanup hazards
• Document damage as soon as you safely can

Businesses should:

• Assess facility conditions
• Verify employee safety
• Preserve records of damage and interruption

Avoid sending workers into hazardous areas without proper precautions

Insurance planning should happen before a storm is in the forecast. Review your policies early, understand what types of storm-related damage may be covered, and pay close attention to deductibles, exclusions, and flood-related gaps. Ready.gov and FEMA both emphasize checking hurricane-related coverage before the season and documenting property and belongings in advance.

One of the most important points for Hawaiʻi residents and businesses is that flood damage is often handled differently from wind damage.

FEMA states that most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, and NFIP resources note that flood insurance may be needed for homes, renters, condominiums, and businesses. Planning ahead can make the recovery process far less stressful when a storm causes both wind and water impacts.

How Atlas Can Help

Atlas can help Hawaiʻi residents, condominium communities, and businesses think through hurricane and tropical storm risk before a storm arrives and navigate the recovery process after one passes. That may include reviewing risk exposures, helping clients understand insurance considerations, supporting claims advocacy, and identifying ways to strengthen continuity planning for homes, AOAO communities, and businesses.

Our goal is simple: help clients prepare earlier, respond more confidently, and recover more smoothly.

For practical storm-preparedness tools, Atlas can feature downloadable resources such as:

For individuals and households

• Hurricane Preparedness Tips
• Packing Your Hurricane Emergency Kit
• Planning a Hurricane Evacuation
• Ways to Reduce Hurricane Damage to Your Home
• Home Matters: Preparing for a Hurricane
• Been Impacted by a Hurricane — What’s Next?

For businesses

• Risk Insights: Advanced Planning for Hurricanes
• Supporting Employees Before, During and After a Hurricane
• Hurricane Before the Storm Checklist
• Hurricane During the Storm Checklist
• Hurricane After the Storm Checklist
• Hurricane Assessment Checklist
• OSHA Hurricane Preparedness and Response Guidance

You can also direct visitors to official public resources from Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service Honolulu, and ready.gov for alerts, preparedness guidance, and storm updates. Looking for additional risk management resources? Explore helpful content pieces available through the MyATLAS Connection Client Portal, where Atlas business insurance clients can access curated materials designed to support planning, safety, and recovery.

Atlas Insurance Agency is available for media interviews related to hurricane preparedness, storm recovery planning, insurance considerations, condo community risk, and business continuity in Hawaiʻi.