Guidewire HazardHub is providing high-resolution insights into property vulnerability as experts forecast an above-average 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, driven by warmer Atlantic waters and shifting climate conditions.Following an intense 2024 hurricane season, which saw 18 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 major hurricanes, projections for 2025 indicate heightened activity. Forecasts from NOAA and North Carolina State University (NCSU) predict 19 to 25 named storms, 7 to 11 hurricanes, and 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3+). Colorado State University anticipates a 125% increase in activity compared to historical averages. These forecasts are attributed to warmer-than-average Atlantic sea surface temperatures and the expected transition to neutral El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions in August.Long-term trends underscore the increasing intensity of hurricane risks. According to the National Climate Assessment, North Atlantic hurricanes have shown a measurable increase in intensity and duration over the past two decades. AP News reports that rapid intensification events, where storms escalate from Category 1 to major hurricane strength within 24 hours, have more than doubled since the 1990s. Research from NASA and other climate organizations links warming sea surface temperatures and climate risks to stronger winds, more intense rainfall, higher base sea level, and increased storm surges. While overall storm frequency has remained stable, the proportion of major hurricanes (Category 3+) has steadily risen, as noted by the EPA. Guidewire HazardHub Hurricane Risk Scores are designed to provide insights into hurricane vulnerability for insurers, communities, and homeowners.HazardHub identifies specific U.S. regions and states with elevated hurricane risk. Florida has the highest concentration of “D” and “F” rated properties for hurricane vulnerability, with 3 million homes (34% of all housing units) at risk of storm surge flooding. Texas is identified as a high-risk state for future hurricane landfalls, particularly the Houston-Galveston corridor, with approximately 5% of homes vulnerable to storm surge flooding, impacting millions of properties.Along the Gulf Coast, Louisiana leads the nation in surge vulnerability, with 52% of homes (approximately 910,000 properties) at risk. Mississippi (9% of homes at high risk) and Alabama (3%) also show significant coastal exposure. These states are frequently affected by both Category 1+ hurricane activity and slow-moving, flood-producing systems.The Southeast Corridor also faces considerable threats. South Carolina has 21% of housing units at risk of storm surge, while Georgia sees 4% of its homes at risk, primarily in coastal zones like Savannah. North Carolina has 7% of homes facing hurricane-related surge threats and wind damage.In the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, Delaware has 20% of homes exposed to storm surge, and Virginia has a 13% surge exposure rate. While New York and New Jersey do not have the highest overall percentages, HazardHub flags specific coastal regions, including Long Island and the Jersey Shore, as vulnerable to surge flooding and hurricane wind damage if storms shift northward.The top ten states for hurricane risk, based on the percentage of properties rated “D” (high) or “F” (very high) risk in the Guidewire HazardHub Hurricane Risk Model, are Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Delaware, Georgia, Alabama, and Virginia. These states are assessed based on factors such as the likelihood of Category 1 or stronger hurricanes, coastal proximity, and the frequency of tropical and subtropical systems.The percentage of housing units at risk of storm surge flooding (based on an ‘F’ rating in the HazardHub SurgeMax Storm Surge Flooding Model) includes Louisiana (52%), Florida (34%), South Carolina (21%), Delaware (20%), Virginia (13%), Mississippi (9%), North Carolina (7%), Texas (5%), Georgia (4%), and Alabama (3%). The SurgeMax Score aids in assessing storm surge risks, a significant threat in coastal areas during severe hurricanes.Beyond identifying risks, HazardHub supports proactive resilience efforts. Many high-risk states are implementing measures to mitigate flood threats through investments in stormwater retention systems, flood barriers, green infrastructure, and voluntary buyout programs. Notable initiatives include Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan, which integrates levees, marsh restoration, and storm surge barriers, with an example being the Barrier Island and Ridge Restoration. Florida’s Resilient Coastlines Program provides grants for vulnerability assessments and infrastructure adaptation through its Adaptation Planning Grant Program. South Carolina’s Office of Resilience (SCOR) coordinates statewide efforts, including its Voluntary Buyouts Program. New York’s NY Rising and Resiliency Institute, established after Hurricane Sandy, led to citywide zoning reforms supporting flood-resilient construction, such as building elevation and flood-resistant designs in vulnerable coastal zones.HazardHub, a Guidewire solution, is an advanced property risk assessment tool providing insights into wildfires, floods, earthquakes, hailstorms, hurricanes, and other perils. It offers access to over 1,000 data points and 50 peril scores for every U.S. property, and property risk data for more than 20 countries across the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Guidewire is a cloud platform for P&C insurers, trusted by over 570 insurers in 42 countries. It provides core systems leveraging data and analytics, digital capabilities, and artificial intelligence, supported by an extensive R&D team and SI partner ecosystem, with a marketplace of hundreds of applications for integration, localization, and innovation.