Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have found that nor’easters, coastal extratropical storms common on the East Coast from September to April, are becoming stronger and more destructive. The research indicates a significant upward trend in wind speeds during stronger storms, which amplifies the risk of property damage, including to buildings under construction and renovation.
Construction Risks Amplified by Intensifying Nor’easters
Buildings under construction and renovation are vulnerable to property damage during a nor’easter for several reasons. Unfinished exteriors, open structures, and unsecured materials such as scaffolding and lumber can become hazardous debris that accelerates damage during high winds. Construction sites often lack the resilience of completed structures, and critical infrastructure, like storm drains and flood barriers, may not be in place yet, exposing projects to increased flood risk. When these storms coincide with high tide or storm surge, the combination of wind, water, and shifting materials can severely disrupt project schedules, increase rebuilding costs, and pose safety risks to workers and sites.
To minimize loss, the following risk-mitigation strategies are recommended.
Risk-Mitigation Strategies for New Builds, Properties Undergoing Renovation
- Secure All Materials and Equipment: Implement protocols to anchor scaffolding, tarps, and loose building materials before and during forecasted storms. Heavy-duty tarps, tie-downs, and temporary bracing prevent materials from turning into windborne debris.
- Create and Test Emergency Action Plans: Establish clear procedures for suspending work, securing the site, and ensuring worker relocation. Conduct regular drills focused on nor’easter and storm-surge responses, especially during peak vulnerability months.
- Install Temporary Flood Barriers: Use sandbags, water-filled cofferdams, or portable barriers around site perimeters and subgrade areas. For projects near the coastline, consider temporary storm-surge defenses to reduce the risk of water infiltration.
- Implement Flexible Construction Scheduling: Plan critical stages, such as waterproofing, roofing, and envelope enclosure, outside of nor’easter seasons. Include buffers in schedules to account for delays resulting from storm-related site shutdowns.
- Monitor Real-Time Weather and Tide Conditions: Track forecasts and tidal charts. Coastal construction sites should plan around predicted high tides coinciding with storm events to avoid surge-driven flooding.
- Choose Resilient Materials and Methods: Select materials suited for high-wind and high-moisture environments. Use corrosion-resistant fasteners, durable roofing underlayment, and rapid-application waterproof coatings to reduce damage during brief exposures.
As nor’easters grow more potent, property owners and developers must treat extreme weather readiness not as optional but as essential. Securing materials, implementing emergency protocols, installing temporary barriers, and smart scheduling can protect both the workforce and the investment. Additionally, it’s important to review the Builder’s Risk program in place and the policy’s limits, terms, and conditions.
About Seneca
Seneca Insurance can provide you with Builder’s Risk solutions for your clients. We also offer policies to cover all project phases — from course of construction to vacant property to occupied — and the broadest renovation appetite in the market.