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We hear a lot these days about the damage to commercial and residential structures due to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes. What should not be overlooked, especially at this time of year, is the toll that winter weather takes. Snowstorms, ice storms and freezing temperatures have cost American building owners billions in damage, repairs and increased maintenance in recent years.
Insured losses from winter storms totaled $6 billion in 2022 alone. This past winter, the February 2021 Arctic surge caused as much as $24 billion in damage, including far-reaching power outages, especially in Texas.
Every winter the roofs collapse under the weight of repeated snowfalls. Pipes in homes and businesses freeze and burst, causing severe water damage to the interior. Structural integrity is compromised by multiple freeze-thaw cycles, where water freezes and then expands in cracks in masonry or concrete. And the disruptions to businesses resulting from the need for extensive snow and ice removal could cost those businesses millions.
These were once issues largely exclusive to the Northeast and Midwest, but are now affecting real estate investments as far south as Texas, Louisiana and Florida.
Early warnings
Because of these costly threats, early warning of commercial and residential property owners and managers of the possibility of coming winter storms and developing action plans to deal with winter weather represents a growing business.
Those tasked with protecting commercial assets tend to be increasingly receptive, says Shannon Kenny, senior vice president of Soft Services at Lessen in Scottsdale, Arizona.
“In today’s uncertain economic climate, it is more important than ever for commercial owners across all industries to prioritize the health and resiliency of their portfolios, especially as weather events like winter storms become more severe and destructive,” said Kenny, whose company uses weather data to predict the impact of storms on real estate portfolios and develops strategies before, during and after the storm. For example, after the storm, it is supporting customers with insurance claims related to on-site injuries by overseeing the process, from claim assessment to working with legal teams.
Kenny says technology is critical in preparing for winter storms. Tech tools can provide predictive information, smooth storm preparedness, coordinate recovery from wild weather, and help owners minimize damage, reduce downtime and protect investments.
Snowfall forecast
AccuWeather is another company serving property owners in this area. The company issues weather forecasts. It also provides accurate and location-specific “SkyGuard warnings” for severe weather up to 10 days in advance.
Using historical and contemporary weather data, AccuWeather’s Snow Alert Service provides precise start and stop times of snowfall, specific times when rain or snow turns to ice and vice versa, as well as forecast accumulations and hourly conditions.
The company can also provide property owners with customized alerts that take construction locations into account and provide long-term forecasts that can help companies plan seasonal plans in advance. All of the above helps owners decide on risk reduction and storm preparation strategies that can guide workforce adjustments, supply chain rerouting, and propose ways to minimize downtime, protect assets, and help ensure safety.
Another provider is WeatherWorks, which combines real-time weather data with proprietary algorithms to help property owner clients monitor looming weather risks at every level, from a regional and city perspective down to the individual property level.
Intensity and peak timing, hourly and period forecasts, and storm hazards allow property owners to gain 360-degree perspectives on how winter storms will impact their properties, helping them better weather the strongest storms.
Kenny speaks for many in the growing industry as she summarizes the challenges and opportunities of winter. “The ability to act proactively and respond efficiently is essential for long-term success in an era of increasing climate risks,” she says.
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