When it Rains, it Pours: Helping Mid-Atlantic Homeowners Understand Their Risks

With its picturesque landscapes, abundant outdoor activities, vast history, lively arts and cultural communities, plus a robust job market, the Mid-Atlantic region has become an increasingly desirable place to live. The coastal communities along the Mid-Atlantic shores are popular locales for retirement or vacation homes. These positive attributes have resulted in population increases from Delaware down to South Carolina, making them vibrant, thriving economic communities.

But living in these Mid-Atlantic states does come with certain risks, such as major storms and other natural disasters, which are becoming more prevalent, deadly, and costly to residents and business owners.

Over the past five years, these Mid-Atlantic states (Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia) have suffered through 153 natural disaster-related events, costing up to $121 billion—with the 2024 hurricane season being one of the worst on record. Hurricane Helene has reportedly cost an estimated $53 billion in North Carolina alone. These risks could make investments in property costly for property owners in the future if they’re not prepared.

Flooding out homeowners

Weather experts say the eye of a hurricane is the calmest and least damaging, while the surrounding eyewall causes the most damage.

So, when the eye of Hurricane Helene, fueled by higher-than-normal ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions, made landfall in Florida last September, the ensuing eyewall caused devastation as far north as the southwestern parts of Virginia. When the entire storm finally fizzled out, Helene had caused considerable damage in several of the Mid-Atlantic states:

North Carolina: Helene’s heavy winds and historic rainfall of more than 30 inches hit Western North Carolina’s town of Asheville the hardest and brought heavy inland flooding throughout the area, causing 1,400 landslides and damaging over 160 water and sewer systems, at least 6,000 miles of roads, more than 1,000 bridges and culverts, and an estimated 126,000 homes.

South Carolina: Significant flooding, high winds, and downed trees from Hurricane Helene caused damage to homes and other properties exceeding $370 million, including roughly $200 million in estimated damage to the state’s forestry industry.

Virginia: Southwestern Virginia experienced extended rainfall and significant flooding, damaging about 6% of Virginia’s economy. Nearly 1,000 homes and businesses suffered damage or were completely destroyed. The storm left 310,000 people without power and knocked 287 cell phone towers out of service. 

In addition to hurricanes, other significant flooding events occur from tornadoes, heavy rainfall, snowmelt, and other natural disasters. For example, West Virginia is prone to flooding and flash flooding events due to receiving, on average, 45 inches of rainfall and 33 inches of snowfall each year.

While Delaware and Maryland are first and third, respectively, in states with the least likelihood of experiencing a natural disaster, both states, due to their geographic location, are susceptible to hurricane aftermaths, Nor’easters, and winter freezing. Delaware, as the lowest-lying state in the U.S., stands at significant risk of coastal flooding and flash flooding, too. 

Firewalls for cyberattacks

In the aftermath of natural disasters, the prevalence of cyberattacks significantly increases, threatening individuals and local communities already struggling with devastation. Cybercriminals show no mercy and often exploit the situation during the chaos and confusion, targeting individuals, businesses, local governments, emergency response organizations, and even medical facilities. They deploy phishing schemes, ransomware, and other malicious tactics, such as fake donation websites and fraudulent relief efforts.

During natural disasters, critical state infrastructure, healthcare facilities, and emergency services are often affected, which weakens their cybersecurity defenses. After Hurricane Milton hit and as Hurricane Helene was about to make landfall, the Cybersecurity and Intelligence Security Agency (CISA) issued warnings about the potential for cyberattacks and recommended that individuals and businesses exercise caution when reading emails related to the hurricanes.

Within the Mid-Atlantic region, the District of Columbia, representing all of our national defense, security, and other government data, is always at heightened risk of cyberattacks and should exercise additional caution during weather-related events. Surprisingly, Delaware and South Carolina are in the top 10 of states (#3 and #10, respectively) with the most cyberattack victims per capita.

Wading through insurance coverage

The Mid-Atlantic insurance marketplace was already under strain due to heightened risk, increased home values, and inflation prior to the 2024 hurricane season. Homeowners in North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina, who already faced the emotional and financial roller coaster of rebuilding after Helene, now find themselves struggling with higher costs to protect their investments.

Furthermore, continuous flooding concerns in West Virginia may make it difficult for homeowners to obtain sufficient coverage to satisfy lender requirements. Additionally, they now face higher rates and more limited capacity from insurers.

While an average homeowner policy typically covers some damage from wind, private homeowners’ insurance policies in the U.S. exclude flooding. Yet, research shows that only 15% of high-net-worth individuals have secured flood insurance. Homeowners can purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private flood insurance carriers. Currently, the NFIP is undergoing a series of changes, including revising the way it calculates rates for flood insurance while FEMA is potentially expanding the number of homeowners located in high-risk flood zones. What’s more, many homeowners may see premiums for their flood insurance rise as flood insurers adjust their rates using new climate models.
 

Legislators riding the wave for homeowners

State legislators across the Mid-Atlantic region have been actively working to address rising insurance rates within their state. However, each state has different risks, severities, and complexities surrounding the issues. Many states have a variety of mitigation strategies and incentives for both insurance carriers and homeowners to consider. Some states have the following initiatives in place or in the works: 

North Carolina insurance law allows high-risk homeowners to be insured under a “consent-to-rate” exception where they may agree to pay policy premiums at rates that are up to 250% of the state bureau’s rate. While some insurers have pulled out of disaster-prone parts of North Carolina, the exception allowing for these homes to be insured at an appropriate premium for the higher risk has helped prevent a mass exodus of home insurers from the state. 

In Virginia, effective July 1, 2025  new or renewal homeowner's insurance policies must offer optional coverage for a loss caused or resulting from water that backs up through sewers or drains.

West Virginia has several state-specific provisions and requirements for homeowners and property insurance. Some of these include mandatory coverage for certain natural disasters, such as windstorms; a cap on hurricane deductibles at 5% of the insured value of the dwelling; and a requirement for insurance companies to offer replacement cost coverage for dwellings over 20 years old.

South Carolina: Coastal South Carolinians can seek up to $7,500 in state aid through the SC Safe Homes program to help pay for upgrades that make their roofs more resilient to hurricane-force winds.

Furthermore, lawmakers in some of the mid-Atlantic states are considering educational initiatives to inform consumers about their insurance options and the factors that influence rates. By increasing awareness and understanding, consumers may be able to make informed decisions when selecting insurance policies, which could potentially lead to more competitive coverage.

Prepare for nature’s next fury.

While homeowners can’t reduce the increase in frequency and intensity of hurricanes and other natural disasters in their state, they can do their diligence and focus on implementing more resilient measures for their home structures to mitigate their risks. Whether it’s a thunderstorm or a hurricane, being properly prepared can make a huge difference in how the aftermath looks for you and your family. 

Flood mitigation tips

To reduce the risk of home flooding, you should first assess your property’s location and the area around your home to determine if it’s near dam-controlled lakes, major rivers, temporal creeks or tributaries, newly constructed developments, and coastal proximity to identify where excessive water could come from and how it may flow.

You may consider improving your home for flood protection by increasing its elevation, commonly referred to as lifting the home. Lifting a home is a challenging task but may be necessary for homeowners who wish to live in coastal areas like North Carolina. It is a good long-term solution for homes in high-risk areas and shows insurance companies that you aim to protect your property now and into the future.

Homeowners who may be prone to flooding should also consider implementing these floodproofing measures:

• Replace doors and windows with floodproof products.
• Use automated passive floodproofing. These devices will remain hidden until the floodwaters activate the device; then they will deploy and lift upwards to protect an area.
• Consider active floodproofing measures for areas where advance planning is possible and you will have time to set up barriers, etc.

Wind mitigation tips

To help make your home more resilient to high winds from hurricanes, consider making the following modifications to your home: 

• Add a secondary water resistance barrier (SWR) to your roof. If you’re replacing your roof, consider including an SWR, as it does not cost much but can drastically improve your roof’s performance in a storm. This may also lead to potential premium savings with certain insurance carriers.
• Update to impact-approved windows and exterior doors. Most homes built after 2002 will have impact-rated glass, but homes built before 2002 can achieve this protection by using impact-rated shutters or hurricane impact-rated screens.
• Change to impact-rated garage doors. Impact-rated garage doors are built to sustain impacts from debris at high speeds without being compromised. At a minimum, a wind-rated garage door is recommended.
• Strengthen your roof. The easiest time to do this is when you are replacing your roof by adding clips so you can later strap your roof, but you can also add clips to an existing roof with a licensed professional contractor.

Cyberattack mitigation tips

The Justice Department and National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) recommends the following guidelines to help reduce your risk of a cyberattack during and after a disaster: 

• Make contributions directly to known organizations. Do not rely on others to donate on your behalf.
• Research an organization online before making any donations; also visit organizations' websites directly rather than following links sent to you by email, text, or other means. Scammers may create fake websites that appear legitimate, so double-check a site's URL—criminals often use copycat names that are similar to those of reputable organizations.
• Be suspicious of "charities" that use high-pressure tactics to seek donations—reputable organizations don't do that. They also don’t require your Social Security number to make contributions.
• Don't respond to unsolicited communications, including emails and texts. Don't click on links from unknown parties—bad actors may use phishing techniques to get you to share your bank account, credit card, or other sensitive information.

It is recommended that you engage with an expert risk and insurance advisor familiar with your state’s risks and insurance regulations. They can help assess your property’s location and determine which floodproofing measures would be most appropriate. They can also advise you on wind-resilient measures you can take to minimize the risk of damage due to hurricane-force winds. Further, they can help provide you with cyberattack prevention guidance.