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Population growth in areas prone to severe storms has increased asset exposure and the physical assets in harm's way are not designed to withstand high winds or hail. Meanwhile, building premiums to rebuild after severe storms are increasing.

In 2024, the U.S. experienced 24 climate disaster events where losses exceeded $1 billion. As The Epicenter team reflects on themes from 2024, five questions are top of mind. The Epicenter asked resiliency practitioners to reflect on the past year and share their thoughts on what's to come in 2025.

Investors can reduce the costs and dangers of extreme heat by: Fortifying the electrical grid and built environment; Advancing alternative cooling innovations; Developing public-private partnerships in cooling infrastructure; Investing in blended finance tools; Scaling insurance innovations.

Of all the natural disasters that hit the U.S. each year, extreme heat waves are by far the deadliest. Extreme heat also slows workers down and reduces agricultural productivity.

Three key levers present opportunity for private capital to improve the resiliency of infrastructure and assets during hurricanes: reduce exposure by pricing in disaster risk, fortify assets with hurricane-resilient materials, create partnerships between public and private actors.

Hurricanes are the most costly type of climate disaster. The high cost comes from population growth in hurricane-prone areas, incentives that motivate rebuilding in those same areas, and physical assets in harm's way that aren't designed to withstand severe hurricanes.