Storms don’t wait for your facility plans to be ready. 

From hurricanes in the Southeast to derechos in the Midwest to record-setting heat waves nationwide, severe weather is an ever-growing threat to commercial and industrial operations across North America. The 2025 hurricane season is expected to be especially active, raising the stakes for businesses with assets in high-risk areas and those that haven’t fully assessed their preparedness and response strategies. 

For facility managers, operations leaders, and asset planners, the question isn’t if your buildings will be tested, but when—and how well you’ll respond when they are. 

The Growing Threat of Severe Weather 

Extreme weather is no longer a seasonal inconvenience—it’s a year-round operational risk. 

The 2024–2025 winter saw erratic freeze-thaw cycles damaging roofs and building envelopes across the Northeast and Midwest. The National Hurricane Center predicts an above-average Atlantic storm season, with elevated sea temperatures and El Niño-to-La Niña transition conditions fueling the outlook. On the West Coast, record-breaking heat and wildfire activity are once again predicted for late summer. All these factors put strain on facilities, especially aging ones. 

Whether it’s a distribution center in Houston, a manufacturing plant in the Carolinas, or a commercial real estate portfolio across the Sun Belt, the potential consequences are similar: 

• Water intrusion from roof or envelope failure
• Electrical system outages due to wind or flood
• Business continuity disruptions from extended downtime
• Delays in insurance claims and contractor availability after peak storm events 

For many facility teams already facing capital constraints, staffing shortages, or reactive maintenance cycles, responding after the damage is done is costly and inefficient. 

To keep up with increasing risk, many organizations are turning to data collection-driven facility programs that improve preparedness and drive smarter planning 

The Cost of Waiting

Post-storm recovery often exposes deeper issues: deferred maintenance, poor documentation, and unclear repair protocols. Waiting until a storm hits to act can lead to: 

• Emergency premiums on materials and labor
• Increased insurance deductibles or claim denials due to incomplete inspection records
• Prolonged outages impacting tenants, customers, or production timelines
• Reputational damage in the wake of operational disruptions 

In one recent case, a national industrial operator faced over $1.2 million in roof-related storm damage—much of it preventable. Their portfolio had not been comprehensively assessed in years, and minor issues (like clogged drains and seam degradation) escalated when high winds and heavy rain arrived. 

This isn’t uncommon. The best time to assess and plan is before storm season begins, not during the chaos after. 

Building a Resilient Facility Risk Strategy 

A strong weather risk management program doesn’t require starting from scratch; it starts with leveraging what you already have: data, assets, and a commitment to operational reliability. 

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of a proactive approach: 

1. Know Your Exposure 

Start by understanding where you’re most vulnerable. If you have a coastal site, a high-temperature market, or locations prone to flooding or high winds, those should be at the top of your list. 

Overlaying your geographic risk with existing facility data can help you prioritize action—especially when time or budget is limited. For organizations with multiple sites, using scalable facility asset management solutions helps bring visibility to the full picture so you’re not relying on gut feel or outdated reports. 

2. Perform Targeted Facility Assessments 

A walkthrough isn’t enough when your assets face real exposure. High-quality inspections of roofs, façades, HVAC systems, and drainage infrastructure can reveal wear and vulnerabilities that wouldn’t otherwise be caught. 

Tools like drone imagery, infrared scanning, and photo-verified data collection allow your teams—or your consulting partner—to build a true risk profile of your buildings. By working with a provider of comprehensive facility solutions, you can access deeper insights that inform both short-term repairs and long-term capital plans. 

3. Develop a Response Plan Before It’s Needed 

After a storm hits, speed is everything. That’s why every facility should have a plan in place for what happens right after an event—who gets called, what steps are taken, and how issues get escalated. 

Internal protocols like emergency checklists, contact trees, and site-specific contingency plans can save hours when downtime is costing thousands. Just as importantly, documenting current conditions with photo evidence and time-stamped records will help validate insurance claims and prioritize repairs. 

For roof leaks and storm-related issues in particular, having a pre-established vendor like Mantis’ Leak Response program can make a major difference. This service connects you with qualified professionals for urgent dispatch, backed by real-time tracking and documentation—all tied to your roof asset management program, so you don’t lose visibility as conditions worsen. 

4. Plan for Contingency Repairs and Capital Allocations 

Not every storm will hit hard—but when one does, your capital plan needs to be ready. Building out “what-if” repair scenarios now helps ensure financial readiness when it counts most. 

Do you know the cost to replace your 10 most vulnerable roofs? How long would it take to get those materials on site? What’s the backup plan if your HVAC system fails during a heat wave? 

Answering these questions upfront—and folding them into your capital strategy—reduces reactive spend and helps facility leaders avoid scrambling during a crisis. 

Why It Pays to Have an Expert Partner 

Risk management in the face of severe weather isn’t just about having a plan about having the right plan, backed by real facility insight. 

At Mantis Innovation, we’ve worked with thousands of commercial and industrial facilities nationwide. We help clients benchmark risk across large, complex portfolios, often spanning different geographies and climate zones. Through a combination of drone technology, sensor networks, and in-person inspections, we gather high-fidelity facility data that’s both visual and actionable. 

From there, we help develop scalable, financially-aligned repair and recovery plans—so clients aren’t just protected, but prepared. And when storms do hit, we work hand-in-hand with contractors, vendors, and insurance stakeholders to coordinate faster, more efficient responses that keep operations moving. 

Whether you’re managing 10 locations or 1,000, the challenges are similar: gaining visibility, controlling costs, and acting with confidence before weather events become crises. 

Conclusion: Don’t Let Weather Take the Lead 

Every year, storms put business operations to the test. The question is whether your facility program is built to pass. 

By assessing risks now, prioritizing preventative maintenance, and putting clear response protocols in place, organizations can reduce unplanned costs, protect people and property, and stay resilient, no matter the weather. 

For facility leaders seeking clarity and confidence, expert guidance can accelerate planning and streamline execution. Start by asking: Are your facilities ready for what this season might bring? 

Not sure if they are? Contact Mantis today to protect your assets before (and after) the storms roll in.