The 2026 Hurricane Season Has Been Quiet. It Isn’t Over.

As of September 29, eight named storms had formed in the Atlantic this season. None had become a hurricane. The last time the Atlantic went this deep into September without a hurricane was more than a century ago. For Long Island homeowners, that is about as good as a hurricane season gets.

September 10 is the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, based on the historical level of tropical storm and hurricane activity. That date has passed, but the active part of the season has not. NOAA says most Atlantic activity occurs between mid-August and mid-October, and the season runs through November 30.

After 30 years of handling property damage claims on Long Island, I can tell you the seasonal storm count is not what I remember about any given year. What I remember is the condition of the roof, the drainage, the trees, and the policy. Those conditions often affected both the damage and what the claim required.

Why El Niño Made the 2026 Season Quieter

NOAA’s August update forecast 7 to 13 named storms, 2 to 6 hurricanes, and 0 to 2 major hurricanes, and raised the probability of a below-normal season to 75 percent. A strengthening El Niño is the main reason NOAA expects less activity.

El Niño is a climate pattern marked by above-average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. Those warmer waters shift the position and strength of the jet stream, which drives up vertical wind shear across the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean. High wind shear tears developing storms apart before they organize. That is why El Niño is generally associated with less Atlantic hurricane activity.

El Niño shifts the odds. It does not rule out a damaging storm. Long Island remains exposed to tropical storms, hurricanes, and the remnants of systems that move up the East Coast. The effects depend on the storm’s track and strength, but damaging wind, heavy rain, coastal flooding, and fallen trees can occur even without a direct hurricane landfall.

Storm Damage Checks Long Island Homeowners Should Make Now

The season continues through November 30. Four things are worth checking now.

• Roofing and flashing. Loose, curling, or missing shingles can allow water into the roof system during a storm. A roofing professional can identify vulnerabilities you cannot see from the ground.

• Trees and overhanging branches. A qualified arborist can assess a tree’s condition and identify branches that may present a risk during high winds.

• Gutters and drainage. Clogged gutters can overflow against the fascia, siding, or foundation. Clear them and direct downspouts away from the house.

• Your declarations page. Some New York homeowners policies carry a separate hurricane or windstorm deductible calculated as a percentage of dwelling coverage. On a home with $500,000 in dwelling coverage, a 2% deductible would equal $10,000. Whether and when that deductible applies depends on the wording of the individual policy.

Check your policy or ask your agent now. These are questions you want answered before a loss, not after one.

What to Do If a Storm Damages Your Home

• Document before you repair. Photograph the exterior, the roofline, every room with visible damage, and the personal property affected. Record video while the condition is fresh.

• Protect the property from further damage, but preserve the evidence. Take reasonable emergency steps to prevent further damage. Leave roof tarping to a qualified contractor. Hold off on permanent repairs until the insurance company has inspected, because permanent work can remove or alter evidence before the full damage has been documented.

• Keep every receipt. Emergency work, temporary repairs, contractor visits. All of it belongs in the claim file.

• Read before you sign. Do not sign a contract under pressure before you understand who the contractor represents, what work is authorized, and what the agreement requires.

A Quiet Forecast Does Not Change the Preparation

A below-normal forecast is a reasonable thing to feel good about. It is a poor reason to skip the roof inspection, leave the policy unread, or assume the one storm that does form will track somewhere else.

The homeowners who prepare have a clearer record of the property’s condition, the damage, and the steps they took after the storm. That makes the claim easier to document properly.

If a Storm Damages Your Property, Call Me

I handle storm damage claims and denied or underpaid property claims for homeowners across Long Island. If your home has been damaged, I will review the loss, the insurance company’s estimate, and the applicable policy language from the policyholder’s side.

No pressure. No obligation. Just a straight review.

Albert Celeste, Licensed Public Adjuster 3280 Sunrise Highway, Wantagh, NY 11793 516-369-5127 | albertcelestelpa@gmail.com | albertcelestelpa.com License #: PA-733179 Your Claim, My Fight.

Serving property owners across Long Island and New York State.