SANTO DOMINGO – The 2025 hurricane season is considered one of the most intense in recent years. With record temperatures in the Atlantic and conditions favorable for cyclone formation, experts warn of the importance of preparing for the potential formation of at least four major hurricanes (category 3 or higher) that could impact the region in the coming months.
According to data from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, there is a 60% chance of an above-average season, while Colorado State University (CSU) forecasts 17 named storms, 9 hurricanes, and 4 major hurricanes. These figures exceed the historical average and reflect an upward trend that was already evident in 2024.
“The current season is marked by an increase in temperature in the tropical Atlantic current, coupled with changes in wind speed and direction, as well as the presence of humid air in the atmosphere. If this trend continues, 2025 could be as destructive as 2020 or even surpass the losses of 2024, which were around US$50 billion in insured damages,” warned César Rodríguez, Senior Vice President of Consulting at Marsh in the Dominican Republic.
Business risk: beyond wind and rain
The effects of an active hurricane season are not limited to damage or destruction of infrastructure. Logistical disruptions, communication outages, and supply chain failures can paralyze entire operations, especially in sectors such as energy, tourism, manufacturing, and foreign trade; in addition to the possibility of fatalities, impact on vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children, and collapses in healthcare systems, among other consequences.
For example, in 2024, more than 60% of business disruptions in Mexico and Central America related to natural phenomena were caused by storms, according to Marsh data. “Most of the companies affected last year did not have business continuity plans, crisis plans, or even plans in place to address climate variability and change. Today, improvisation is no longer an option; the way forward is anticipation and prevention,” Rodríguez emphasized
What can companies do to prevent and ensure their continuity?
Marsh, a global leader in risk consulting and insurance brokerage, recommends 5 key measures to face this season:
- Assess geographical exposure: Analyze the feasibility of installing or maintaining operational facilities, as well as working with key suppliers in vulnerable areas.
- Review business continuity plans: Make sure they include communication, evacuation, data backup, and recovery times.
- Include the entire supply chain in the risk analysis, not just direct suppliers that enable business continuity.
- Adopting solutions like parametric insurance, policies that automatically pay a predefined indemnity when certain parameters or specific conditions are met, such as extreme weather events, without the need for loss adjustments, for example, after natural disasters like hurricanes, heavy rains, etc. No appraisal or disputes over amounts are required, and the policy offers the flexibility to cover interruptions, additional expenses, etc.
Leveraging advanced technology such as artificial intelligence to anticipate disruptions.
Innovation to anticipate chaos
The use of technology and predictive data analytics is a reality that is enhanced by implementing preventative and reactive plans for a wide range of natural disasters. In this regard, Marsh connects businesses and decision-makers with Sentrisk , a solution that maps vulnerabilities at the supplier, plant, or component level using AI and satellite monitoring. It identifies natural, geopolitical, climate, and sustainability risks in real time, enabling strategic decision-making before a disaster strikes.
Countries like Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Panama have high-risk areas in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific. Key trade routes and ports are increasingly exposed to high-intensity storms, making the implementation of preventative strategies that promote business continuity the primary opportunity for the public and private sectors to address and protect economic development in the most vulnerable areas. “The region can no longer afford limited preparedness. What’s at stake is not just physical assets, but communities, cities, business continuity, jobs, and local economies. Companies across all sectors must view the 2025 season not as a possibility, but as part of the climate crisis we are facing. The moment
