Spring and summer across the U.S., particularly in Mississippi, often leave homeowners paying for repairs to something they didn’t expect to need fixing.
Typically, seasonal storms will catch people by surprise and hit much harder than anticipated. Oftentimes, people will check the radar, see a storm brewing, and think, “That won’t affect me.” But by the time it does, it could be too late to prevent any damage.
With the official first day of summer rapidly approaching, Alan Bernau Jr. of Alan’s Factory Outlet compiled a study showing where spring and summer storms have hit the hardest as of late. Researchers from the National Centers for Environmental Information collected the data between 2021 and 2025 and provided it in the NOAA Storm Events Database.
Bernau Jr. highlights data from the past five years between March and August to see which states have incurred the most property and vehicle damage from both general storms and, specifically, hailstorms.
Starting broadly, the total cost of damages from all types of spring and summer storms – including hail, thunderstorm wind, strong wind, high wind, lightning, and heavy rain – ranged from $51,000 in Hawaii to nearly $3 billion in Texas. According to Bernau Jr., Mississippi ranks among the top five in total costs from all storms at $131 million in damages.
Of all the months, he found May to be the most destructive, accounting for 35.7% of all spring and summer damages.
Hail consistently causes the most financial damage because of the intensity of hail compared to rain. It typically causes the most damage to vehicles and house roofs.
In the hail-specific category, Mississippi ranks third in annual damage, only behind Texas and Nebraska. Over the five-year period, the Magnolia State has accumulated more than $80 million in total property damage, averaging around $16 million per year.
“Severe weather this time of year is a fact of life, and we know storms can cause significant damage to both homes and vehicles. Maintaining adequate insurance coverage for your house and car is the best safeguard we have,” Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney said when asked about the importance of insuring from natural disasters.
“Proper insurance can help cover repair and replacement costs, minimize out-of-pocket expenses, and provide peace of mind knowing that you are prepared for the risks associated with Mississippi’s storm season,” he continued. “Review your home and auto policies and talk to your agent to better understand them. Keep life changes in mind as you consider what coverage is best for you.”
Bernau Jr. encourages citizens to upgrade to more resilient roofs and garages to help limit financial losses and damage for each person.
