As Memorial Day weekend approaches, many Americans are gearing up for travel, outdoor celebrations, and time with family. However, a persistent and evolving severe weather pattern threatens to disrupt plans across much of the central and southern United States. According to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski, while the most intense tornado outbreaks may subside slightly, the risk to life and property remains serious heading into the holiday.

Widespread Threats Continue Midweek

An outbreak of severe storms that began earlier in the week has already resulted in nearly 300 reports of high winds, hail, and tornadoes. These conditions extended into Tuesday night and are expected to linger into Wednesday evening across several regions.

• Southern U.S.: The southeastern corner of the country may see enough warmth Wednesday afternoon and evening to re-energize storms. Severe weather in this area could persist until dry air eventually moves in.
• Mid-Atlantic Region: Brief but strong thunderstorms are possible from eastern Ohio to western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia, and Garrett County, Maryland. Hazards include strong wind gusts, large hail, a few isolated tornadoes, and the potential for flash flooding.
• Lower Mississippi Valley: Late Wednesday night could bring another round of dangerous storms to western Tennessee, northern Mississippi, and northern Alabama.

Storm Cycle Resets Late Week

The threat doesn’t end midweek. Instead, the severe weather pattern is expected to reload, shifting focus back to the Central Plains beginning Thursday.

• Thursday Afternoon to Night: Severe thunderstorms are forecast from central and southern Texas to southern Oklahoma and southwestern Arkansas. These storms may appear sporadic but could become particularly intense, with threats of powerful wind gusts and large hail.
• Friday: The danger zone expands northward, affecting parts of northwestern and north-central Texas, central and western Oklahoma, western Kansas, eastern Colorado, and southwestern Nebraska. High winds, hail, flash flooding, and isolated tornadoes remain concerns.

Weekend and Memorial Day Forecast

As the weekend progresses, these storms are expected to slowly shift eastward:

• Saturday and Sunday: Areas from the South Central states to the southern Mississippi Valley and the Gulf Coast are in line for potential storm activity.
• Memorial Day (Monday): Severe weather could reach into the Southeastern U.S., affecting holiday celebrations and travel plans.

Stay Prepared and Informed

Those planning road trips, camping, or outdoor gatherings should remain vigilant. The greatest storm activity is expected from midday through the evening hours, when storm coverage tends to increase.

Key recommendations:

• Monitor local forecasts daily through Memorial Day.
• Be aware of surroundings, especially when traveling or staying in unfamiliar areas.
• Have a weather emergency plan in place, particularly when outdoors or on the road.

Even with some decline in tornado activity, the risk of damaging weather is far from over.

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The recent bombing at a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California — identified by officials as an act of terrorism — has reopened important discussions around terrorism insurance. For insurance agents, this is a critical moment to understand how such events are classified and which clients may need better protection against these unpredictable and devastating losses.

Who Decides If an Event Is Considered Terrorism?

In the United States, an incident is classified as “terrorism” for insurance purposes under the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), which was first enacted in 2002 and renewed through 2027.

Here’s how it works:

• The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney General, must certify an event as an “act of terrorism.”
• The act must:
  • Be violent or dangerous to human life, property, or infrastructure.
  • Result in damage within the United States (or to certain U.S. interests abroad).
• Be committed by individuals acting on behalf of a foreign interest or be intended to coerce civilians or influence government policy.
• The financial damage must exceed a set threshold (currently $5 million in insured losses).

Without TRIA certification, most terrorism insurance policies will not be triggered — even if local authorities label an event as terrorism.

However, just because the FBI or local authorities describe an event as terrorism does not automatically activate terrorism insurance coverage.

What Is Terrorism Insurance?

Terrorism insurance is an add-on or separate policy that protects businesses from financial loss due to acts of terrorism. Coverage typically includes:

• Property damage
• Business interruption
• Extra expense
• Some liability components (if included)

Standard commercial property policies exclude terrorism unless it’s added through a certified endorsement.

Which Types of Businesses Usually Carry Terrorism Coverage?

Industries and businesses that tend to be more risk-sensitive or high-profile are more likely to purchase terrorism insurance. These include:

• Financial institutions
• Healthcare providers and hospitals (especially large systems)
• Government contractors
• Hotels, malls, and entertainment venues
• Religious institutions
• Media companies
• Critical infrastructure and energy facilities

Fertility clinics, while not commonly targeted, are part of the healthcare sector and sometimes engage in controversial services (such as in vitro fertilization, embryo storage, etc.). This makes them potential candidates for terrorism coverage, especially in urban or politically sensitive areas.

If the Palm Springs fertility clinic held terrorism coverage, its ability to recover from the bombing, for property loss and business interruption, will depend on:

• Whether the act is officially certified under TRIA, and
• Whether the clinic opted into terrorism coverage when purchasing its commercial insurance.

What Now?

The Palm Springs bombing has opened up a difficult but necessary conversation: What kinds of businesses are genuinely at risk for acts of terrorism? And are we doing enough to protect them?

Here are key points that now feel more urgent:

Reevaluating Risk Profiles

The attack didn’t target a government building or financial institution — it struck a fertility clinic. This incident highlights that any business tied to emotionally charged or controversial topics, such as reproductive services, may face heightened risk, regardless of size or visibility.

Looking Beyond Labels

Just because authorities or media call something “terrorism” doesn’t mean it triggers insurance. Under U.S. law, terrorism must be officially certified by the federal government to activate coverage. That distinction can mean the difference between full recovery and devastating loss.

Considering Location and Symbolism

Businesses located in urban centers, politically sensitive regions, or symbolically significant buildings may be more vulnerable. It’s not just about geography — it’s also about perceived meaning or cultural relevance.

Accounting for Non-Physical Losses

The damage from an attack often extends beyond broken windows. Disruptions to daily operations, reputational harm, psychological impacts, and business interruptions can leave lasting scars, especially for service-oriented sectors like healthcare.

Exploring Resources and Recovery Tools

Local and federal agencies may offer short-term relief, as seen in Palm Springs, where EngagePalmSprings.com and the Small Business Administration are rallying to provide information and aid. However, such support is often temporary and unpredictable, highlighting the value of structured risk planning.

Final Thought

As events like the Palm Springs bombing show, acts of violence, particularly when tied to ideological motives, are no longer confined to predictable targets. Insurance agents must stay proactive in assessing terrorism risk with clients, even in industries like fertility care that might not immediately appear at risk.