Climate Refugees: How Extreme Weather is Reshaping America’s Moving Patterns in 2025
As 2025 unfolds, a new type of American migration is emerging—one driven not by job opportunities or lifestyle choices, but by the urgent need to escape increasingly dangerous weather patterns. With Hurricane Helene at the top of the list, there were 27 disasters in the United States in 2024 that individually cost $1 billion or more. It was the second-highest number since the NOAA record began in 1980. This unprecedented surge in climate disasters is fundamentally changing how and why Americans move, creating a new category of relocations that moving companies must understand and prepare for.
The Rising Tide of Climate-Driven Moves
In 2023, 363 weather-related disasters were recorded, affecting at least 93.1 million people and causing thousands of deaths. In the same year, disasters triggered 26.4 million internal displacements/movements with over three quarters caused by weather events. These statistics reveal a sobering reality: extreme weather is becoming one of the primary drivers of American relocation patterns.
The impact extends far beyond immediate evacuations. At least eight-in-ten Americans who experienced extreme weather say climate change contributed a lot or a little. Most Americans who have experienced extreme weather in the last year say climate change played a role. Across each of the five types of extreme weather events we asked about (like intense storms or floods), at least eight-in-ten who experienced the event say climate change contributed a lot or a little. This growing awareness is translating into permanent relocation decisions as families seek safer ground.
The New Geography of American Migration
Climate concerns are reshaping traditional migration patterns in unexpected ways. Yes, people are still moving to Florida, but it is no longer the hotspot of years past. Between 2021 and 2023, Florida consistently had at least six cities on our list of top cities people are moving to — but this year, there are only two: Ocala and Jacksonville. This trend is in line with overall net migration reports that show 2024’s post-peak migration numbers to the Sunshine State.
The reasons are becoming clearer as climate risks intensify. Florida, once a top destination, has lost momentum. The state’s average home insurance premium is expected to reach $15,460 by the end of 2025, while home prices have jumped 60% since 2020. These skyrocketing costs reflect the increasing risk of climate-related disasters, making traditional Sun Belt destinations less attractive to potential movers.
The Moving Industry’s Climate Challenge
For moving companies, this shift presents both challenges and opportunities. 62.2% of surveyed movers called out rising costs (like labor, fuel, truck maintenance, claims, etc.) as their top challenge for 2025. Climate-related moves often require specialized services, from emergency relocations to long-distance moves away from disaster-prone areas.
Professional Moving Companies Mineola and throughout Long Island are experiencing this shift firsthand. Located in a region that has faced increasing storm intensity and flooding risks, Long Island moving companies like Avatar Relocation understand the unique challenges climate-conscious movers face. Avatar Relocation of NY Inc. is a high-quality full-service and specialized moving, storage, transportation, logistics, specialized packing and warehousing service provider located in Yaphank, Long Island, New York 11980. Avatar Relocation transports and stores shipments of high-value radiology equipment, high-value electronics, household goods, artwork, store fixtures, exhibits, and displays.
Preparing for Climate-Conscious Customers
Moving companies must adapt their services to meet the evolving needs of climate-conscious customers. This includes offering flexible scheduling for emergency relocations, providing climate-controlled storage options for extended transitions, and understanding the emotional stress that accompanies climate-driven moves.
Disaster costs now exceed over $2.3 trillion annually when cascading and ecosystem costs are taken into account. The Global Assessment Report (GAR) 2025: Resilience Pays: Financing and Investing for our Future highlights how smarter investment can re-set the destructive cycle of disasters, debt, un-insurability and humanitarian need that threatens a climate-changed world. This economic reality means that families are making calculated decisions about relocation based on long-term climate projections, not just immediate concerns.
The Future of Climate Migration
As we move deeper into 2025, the connection between climate change and migration patterns will only strengthen. As climate change intensifies, there is no question that the intensity and frequency of extreme weather—often resulting in disasters—is increasing. According to the IPCC’s most recent report on climate adaptation, disasters fueled by climate change are already worse than scientists originally predicted.
For moving companies, understanding this trend is crucial for business planning and customer service. Companies that can provide compassionate, flexible, and comprehensive services for climate-driven relocations will be best positioned to serve this growing market segment.
Supporting Climate-Conscious Relocations
The moving industry has an opportunity to be part of the solution by helping families transition safely and efficiently to more resilient locations. This includes partnering with climate scientists to understand risk patterns, offering educational resources about climate-safe destinations, and providing specialized services for emergency relocations.
As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, the moving industry must evolve to meet the needs of America’s emerging climate refugees. By understanding these changing patterns and adapting services accordingly, moving companies can provide essential support during one of the most challenging relocations a family can face—moving not just to a new home, but to a safer future.