The U.S. experienced 12 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters during the first half of 2026 alone, causing at least US$31.9 billion in damage, according to Climate Central’s mid-year update. As September marks National Preparedness Month and the transition to cooler temperatures brings the potential for severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and early winter weather, facility managers can take proactive steps now to protect their properties and prepare for potential weather events.

“National Preparedness Month is an important reminder that preparation can make a difference when severe weather or an unexpected disaster occurs,” said Josh Miller, president of Rainbow Restoration, a Neighborly company.

Rainbow Restoration shared five ways to prepare your building before the unexpected happens:

1. Inspect and weatherproof your building: Walk the perimeter of your building and look for signs of wear or damage to the roof, windows, doors and foundation. Clear gutters and drains to help prevent water from backing up, secure outdoor furniture and décor ahead of high winds, and trim tree branches that could pose a risk to structures. As temperatures begin to fall, seal gaps around windows and doors and insulate exposed pipes to help reduce winter-related damage.
2. Build a 72-hour emergency kit: Prepare an emergency kit with enough supplies to support your team for at least three days. Include nonperishable food, drinking water, medications, batteries, flashlights, chargers or backup power sources, hygiene items, copies of important documents and a battery-powered radio. Store the kit in an easy-to-access location, and check content periodically to replace expired or depleted items.
3. Test safety equipment: Check smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers regularly to ensure they’re working properly. Replace batteries as needed and make sure everyone knows the location of safety equipment, how to use it, what emergency procedures to take and the evacuation route.
4. Create a communication plan and stay informed: Ahead of any severe weather, track local forecasts and emergency alerts throughout the event period. Agree on emergency contacts, evacuation routes and meeting points, and know your community’s official evacuation plan in case you need to leave quickly.
5. Review insurance coverage and document the property: Many owners don’t think about their insurance policy until after a disaster occurs. Review your coverage annually to understand what is and isn’t included, and keep a digital inventory of valuable belongings, equipment or business assets with photos and receipts. Having documentation readily available can help streamline the claims process if damage occurs.

When severe weather, fire, water damage or another unexpected event impacts a property, fast action can help minimize damage and begin the recovery process.

El Niño is strengthening, with a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter 2026-27, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast on Sept. 10.

NOAA forecasters revealed a 75% chance that the building Super El Niño will be the strongest such event on record, dating back to 1950. Weather models predict that El Niño will continue to strengthen through the end of the year.

With an event of this magnitude, the chances of experiencing impacts consistent with El Niño are larger, though not guaranteed, NOAA cautioned.

Meanwhile, no hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic Ocean 103 days into the season, which marks a new record caused by the El Niño weather pattern, CNN reported. Sept. 11 was the latest date for the first hurricanes of the season to form since satellites began tracking in 1966. Additionally, forecasters aren’t predicting a hurricane in the Atlantic for the foreseeable future.

Looking forward, just over 50% of the entire season’s activity typically occurs after Sept.10, but El Niño will likely stifle the Atlantic’s final stretch this year. Last year, the U.S. managed to avoid a hurricane landfall, and if the country manages to repeat that pattern, it would be the first time this pattern occurred since 2009 and 2010.

However, it does take a hurricane-strength system to cause significant impacts. Heavy rain from Tropical Storm Edouard on Sept. 1 resulted in dangerous flash flooding and water rescues in eastern Texas. Edouard was 14 mph shy of hurricane strength and caused rainfall totals that topped 20 inches in some areas north of Beaumont.