What NOAA Data Can Tell You About the Storm That Hit Your House

When you file a hurricane insurance claim, the insurance company isn’t just making things up. They’re pulling data from NOAA — the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA is the federal agency that runs weather observations, maintains weather radar, tracks hurricanes, and archives the world’s largest collection of meteorological data. Understanding what’s in those databases, how to access it yourself, and what it can and can’t tell you is valuable whether you’re evaluating a claim, preparing for a storm, or just curious about what actually happened during a hurricane.