Record Share of Category 5 Storms Marks Alarming 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Record Share of Category 5 Storms Marks Alarming 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season
……….

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season closed with an unprecedented number of Category 5 storms, pointing to intensifying climate-related risks, Carrier Management reported. Researchers at MS Amlin said that although the overall number of named storms and hurricanes was lower than forecast, the season was defined by an exceptional concentration of high-intensity systems. Sam Phibbs, head of Catastrophe Research, noted that the season illustrates how warming oceans are enabling storms to strengthen rapidly and retain power farther north.

A peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Catastrophe Risk and Resilience found that under a 2°C warming scenario, Category 4 and 5 hurricanes could occur more frequently, with projected insured losses rising sharply across the U.S. Florida could face a 44% increase in losses, while New York may see a 64% jump. Rhode Island and Massachusetts could experience increases exceeding 70%, and the Carolinas may see losses grow by 60%, far outpacing projections for Texas.

Hurricane Melissa, with sustained winds of 185 mph, was identified as the most powerful storm on record. Researchers warned that the trend toward rapid intensification remains difficult to predict, reducing preparation time for coastal communities. Although no major storms made U.S. landfall this year, Phibbs said this was due to chance and urged stronger building standards, especially in northern states increasingly threatened by severe hurricanes.