Hurricane Season So Far Has Been Mild, but Homeowners Shouldn’t Relax Just Yet

By all accounts—and especially compared to last year—the current hurricane season in the Atlantic has been relatively calm.

According to Accuweather, out of the 13 named storms of the season, there have only been four direct impacts on the U.S. so far: Tropical Storm Chantal, Hurricane Erin, Hurricane Imelda, and one unnamed storm that impacted the East Coast from Oct. 10-14. Aside from Chantal, none of the other storms made landfall, though they were all large enough to bring wind, rain, and storm surge impacts to the U.S.

The Atlantic hurricane season typically runs from June to November, and as we reach the final six-week stretch of the season, some homeowners may think the worst is behind them.

However, while hurricane experts tell Realtor.com® they expect “a lull in activity” after Tropical Storm Melissa, they also stress that now is not the time to let your guard down, especially if you own a home. 

Because the season isn't over yet.

The hurricane season so far

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has been active, though only four storms have reached hurricane status: Erin, Gabrielle, Humberto, and Imelda. 

The strongest thus far has been Hurricane Erin, which managed to reach Category 5 status and cause intense coastal flooding from the Carolinas to New Jersey. It was followed by Hurricane Gabrielle in mid-September, which reached Category 4 intensity before shifting out to sea. Both Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda reached Category 2 status in late September, before doing the same. 

Thankfully, landfall impact in the U.S has been minimal, with storm activity remaining largely over the open Atlantic, passing well offshore of major land areas. Some homes were lost during Hurricane Erin in the Outer Banks due to rough storm surges and location along the beach.

The current storm, Tropical Storm Melissa, is strengthening, with the possibility of causing problems for Florida and states along the Gulf.

“The longer Melissa tracks to the west, the greater the chance of an impact on the U.S.,” warns AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Bernie Rayno.

Is the worst storm still on the way?

By the end of hurricane season in 2024, there were 11 hurricanes, five of which were categorized as major hurricanes. 

These included Hurricane Beryl, a Category 5 storm that caused severe conditions in Texas; Hurricane Milton, the second Category 5 storm of the season and the strongest tropical cyclone worldwide of the year; and Hurricane Helene, which resulted in 252 deaths and between $225–250 billion in damages, according to AccuWeather. It was named the deadliest hurricane in 50 years.

Those last two hurricanes happened between September and October. As we head into November without one storm reaching the same intensity, the hope is that the possibility for a major hurricane is now behind us. 

But experts stress that we’re not out of the woods yet. 

“It takes only one powerful hurricane or slow-moving tropical rainstorm to create a major natural disaster,” warns AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva to Realtor.com.

Despite being the final six weeks of the season, DaSilva points to the depth of warm ocean water as an indicator of what could be coming our way. 

“The presence of such record-high ocean heat content in the Gulf remains extremely concerning because storms that tap into that ‘high-octane’ fuel can intensify quickly," he says. "If atmospheric conditions align, a storm could rapidly strengthen close to the coast, greatly increasing the danger, damage, and impacts. Although only a few more named storms are expected before season's end, any storms that do form, especially in the Gulf or Caribbean, could rapidly intensify.”

“If Melissa at some point makes its journey north into the western Atlantic, this could help contribute to a stormy pattern set up into the eastern half of the U.S. towards the end of October through week two of November,” adds Paul Pastelok, AccuWeather lead long-range expert.

On top of that, it's not just the rest of hurricane season homeowners need to prepare for—it's also the upcoming winter months.

“Any storm the rest of the season that tracks into the western Atlantic can help in short-term patterns (potential stormy pattern)," explains Pastelok. "Longer term, water temperatures can cool and may not have much time to recover, especially off the southeast coast due to upwelling. However, waters that are untouched and avoid arctic air masses through a good portion of the winter, can remain above average and could lead to rapid development of storms during the winter, possibly nor’easters.”

How to prepare for the next big storm

The best defense is preparation, and with the season almost at an end, it's likely that most homeowners have done the work to safeguard their homes.

“Ideally, you'd get hurricane-ready in the months leading up to the start of hurricane season on June 1st. This is when you should gather water, nonperishable foods, and a go-bag of important documents and other necessities, like cash and prescription medications,” says Rachael Gauthier, meteorologist at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety in Charlotte, NC.

If you haven't thought about gathering the essentials, now is definitely the time to start thinking about ways to prep your home. Once hurricane season passes, the winter months roll in, and while some forecasters believe the chilly months will amount to nothing more than colder temperatures, other experts like teh AccuWeather team see the potential for some stormy weather.

After all, we've already had one nor’easter this year!