Hurricanes are among the most destructive and costliest natural disasters that can affect commercial properties. U.S. hurricanes alone have been responsible for over $1.5 trillion in total damages since 1980.

So exactly what types of damage can a hurricane cause? And why are these impacts so expensive? Understanding the most impactful physical threats, from intruding water to hurricane roof damage, can help commercial property owners prepare for and respond to tropical cyclones this storm season.

The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season may be shaping up to be less active than average. However, if history has taught us anything, it's that "less active" is never the same as "safe."

Colorado State University (CSU) released its initial Atlantic hurricane season predictions for 2026 on April 9, predicting:

• 13 named storms

• 6 hurricanes

• 2 major hurricanes

That falls just below the 1991-2020 historical average. The primary driver behind this outlook is a powerful shift in the climate pattern. Specifically, the expected transition from current weak La Niña conditions into a moderate-to-strong El Niño by the peak of the season may have a significant impact on storm formation.

It may not get the same media coverage as hurricanes, but hailstorm damage can cost billions of dollars each year within the U.S.

Even a single hail event can be financially detrimental for communities; one of the costliest hailstorms in the nation occurred in Arizona during 2010 when a severe weather outbreak led to a damage toll of $2.8 million.

Such life-changing costs can have businesses and commercial property owners asking, “Is hail damage covered by insurance?” The full answer could help save your business from finding itself unprepared and financially pummeled by a hailstorm.

When a hailstorm hits, most property owners look for the obvious signs: broken windows, dented metal and visible roof damage. If everything appears intact, it’s easy to assume your building survived the worst of it. But the reality is that the most expensive hail damage is often the damage you don’t see.

For commercial properties, delaying for days or even weeks to take action after a hail event can turn a manageable repair into a major operational and financial setback.

At Cotton Global Disaster Services (Cotton GDS) and its sister company Cotton Roofing, our mission is to make it simple for you by delivering seamless end-to-end recovery roof damage restoration. As a turnkey service commercial roofing partner specializing in emergency roof services and commercial building storm damage, you and your business can rely on Cotton.

Even when the worst of the winter storm passes, your commercial property may still face risks well after the snowfall stops. Hidden threats can linger and leave damaging impacts days or weeks after frigid temperatures begin to lift. Unaddressed winter storm damages can manifest downstream, costing you time, money and operational success.

Winter storm damage prevention for commercial buildings remains crucial after the storm ends. Prepare today by learning key winter weather impacts that may linger. Taking steps to prevent these ongoing threats can help stop interruptions that could harm your business.

Winter storms don’t take a break — they arrive in full force, sweeping across regions and causing damage that can range from minor to catastrophic. That’s why here at Cotton Global Disaster Solutions (Cotton GDS), we don’t take a winter break either.

Frozen pipes, roof failures and heating system issues can lead to costly damage and unexpected business interruptions for commercial properties. While no one can predict exactly what winter will bring, proactive planning and preventive maintenance can significantly reduce risk and speed up recovery if a loss occurs.

Take this quick readiness poll, developed by Cotton GDS. See how prepared your commercial business is for winter weather and where you may need to take action before the next freeze.

When it comes to winter storm preparedness for commercial properties, the biggest threat usually isn't the snow, ice or freezing rain itself — it's the small maintenance issues that have been quietly piling up all year. A loose piece of flashing, a clogged drain or a hairline crack in a pipe might not seem urgent in October, but once temperatures drop and storms roll through, those minor issues can turn into major catastrophes.

If you manage or own commercial property, you're not just maintaining a building. You're protecting people, inventory, equipment and revenue. A roof leak over key equipment, frozen pipes in a tenant space or an inaccessible entrance after a storm can disrupt operations in a matter of hours. The frustrating part? Most of these problems are preventable with the right prep.

This is why deferring maintenance is so risky. Winter has a way of exposing everything that's been ignored. The question isn't whether your property will face harsh conditions, but whether it's been maintained well enough to withstand them.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities cannot afford setbacks when disaster strikes. Cotton Global Disaster Solutions (Cotton GDS) delivers healthcare emergency preparedness and disaster recovery services that keep your operations running and your patients safe.

Our team supports administrators, facility managers and medical staff with rapid response, specialized equipment and compliance-focused recovery plans. With proven experience in high-pressure, disaster-based environments, Cotton GDS is the trusted partner healthcare leaders call to restore stability fast.

The devastation from a workplace fire can cause far-reaching and lingering effects that impact your property even when the flames have died down. In addition to the immediate destruction from the fire itself, the remaining soot and smoke damage can pose complex cleanup issues for business owners.

After a fire, soot can coat your property and threaten your building and your staff’s health. Cleaning this substance safely and effectively can be as difficult as it is dangerous, especially when attempted without professional assistance.

Before attempting to navigate smoke and soot cleanup, learn more about this material, the impactful dangers of it and the benefits of using a professional soot removal company to overcome this issue.

When disaster strikes, the right restoration equipment can mean the difference between costly downtime and a quick return to business. Cotton GDS uses commercial-grade tools that offer speed and reliability in fire and water damage restoration and document recovery.

Our expert teams deploy specialized gear that targets each type of damage with industry-proven efficiency. With decades of experience and a nationwide response network, Cotton GDS restores commercial spaces with professionalism and urgency. Here’s how.