Building Resilience Starts Before the Storm

For risk engineers, the season offers important lessons. As weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, organizations should focus not only on recovery after an event but also on reducing vulnerabilities before losses occur.

While extreme weather cannot be prevented, its impact can often be reduced through proactive risk management. Regular inspections, maintenance of critical building systems, effective flood and lightning protection, and adequate insurance coverage all play an important role in strengthening resilience.

“Heat, hail, wind, lightning, and flooding can affect virtually any property, disrupting operations and resulting in significant financial losses. As weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, organizations must look beyond recovery and focus on building resilience before an event occurs. Identifying vulnerabilities early and implementing targeted preventive measures can significantly reduce risk, protect critical assets, and strengthen business continuity” Miloš Žernovič, Head of Risk Engineering Department, Colonnade Slovakia noted.

Heat Is More Than a Comfort Issue

Prolonged periods of high temperatures can place significant stress on buildings and technical equipment. Photovoltaic (PV) systems, HVAC units, building management systems, and other electrical installations may experience reduced performance, accelerated ageing, and higher maintenance requirements.

Cooling systems often operate at peak capacity during heatwaves, increasing the likelihood of breakdowns and operational disruptions, particularly in temperature-sensitive environments.

Wind and Hail Continue to Drive Property Losses

While heatwaves often attract the most attention, severe storms can generate some of the largest property losses. Strong winds can damage roofs, façades, skylights, and rooftop installations such as solar panels, air-conditioning units, and communication equipment. If inadequately secured, these assets may cause additional damage to surrounding property.

Hail remains a major source of claims, affecting roofs, façades, vehicles, skylights, and photovoltaic systems. As hailstorms become more severe, the potential for costly damage continues to grow.

Lightning and Power Surges Are Often Overlooked

Lightning does not only pose a fire risk. Indirect effects, such as electrical surges, can damage production equipment, control systems, data infrastructure, and photovoltaic inverters. In some cases, the resulting business interruption may exceed the direct repair costs.

For businesses that rely heavily on technology and automation, effective lightning and surge protection are critical risk mitigation measures.

Flooding Can Occur Within Minutes

Another key lesson from Summer 2026 is the growing impact of intense rainfall events. Flash flooding can develop rapidly, overwhelming drainage systems and affecting basements, warehouses, underground parking facilities, and industrial sites. Unlike river flooding, these events can occur even in locations not traditionally considered flood-prone.

Reviewing drainage systems, water-entry points, and site-specific flood exposures can help reduce potential losses. Past flooding events often provide the clearest indication of future vulnerability and should not be ignored.