Hurricane Season and Protecting Building Occupants & Properties in Puerto Rico

For residents of Puerto Rico and the region, hurricanes and tropical storms are a part of life. The annual hurricane season in the Caribbean and Atlantic began on June 1 and continues through November 30. For the 2025 hurricane season, scientists at Colorado State University are predicting 17 named storms, including nine hurricanes. Of those hurricanes, four are forecast to become major hurricanes.

With this in mind, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reminds those that live in hurricane-prone areas to be ready and prepared. NOAA encourages people to determine their personal hurricane risk, find out if they live in a hurricane evacuation zone, and review/update insurance policies.

There are also a number of potential environmental hazards to be aware of after a storm has passed. Floodwaters and storm surge can introduce sewage and chemicals into a structure. Any water damage or excessive humidity can allow mold to begin to grow in just a few days. In addition, there are many homes and buildings throughout the Caribbean that still contain lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials. These can become a serious hazard if they are aerosolized during cleanup, demolition, or rebuilding efforts.

“Every year, hurricanes and tropical storms across the Caribbean cause hundreds of billions of dollars in property damage,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “This is why it’s so imperative that business owners and the public are prepared for when the next one strikes. Having the resources in place to be able to quickly and safely return to a home, business, or school is important.”

To help businesses and property owners prepare for hurricanes and recover from storm damage, the building science, industrial hygiene, and environmental professionals at Zimmetry offer over 20 years of local expertise. They have extensive experience assessing properties to mitigate potential damage and provide testing services for a wide range of chemical and microbial exposure hazards. These services are instrumental for building occupant safety, regulatory compliance, and for insurance claims to ensure damaged properties receive the comprehensive repairs required for future building occupants.

To learn more about Zimmetry and their building science, industrial hygiene, and indoor environmental quality services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005, or email info@zimmetry.com.

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality (IAQ), asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail