How to Protect Your Home From Hurricanes and Flooding
Find out how to fortify your property and protect yourself from heavy rain and high winds
Hurricanes are a yearly threat on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S., typically in summer and fall, but regional flooding from large storms can occur anywhere. Damage from hurricanes’ high winds and storm surge is most prevalent in coastal communities and can affect areas more than 100 miles inland, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Satellite image of Hurricane Dorian minutes before the storm made landfall over Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on Sept. 6, 2019. Photo from NOAA
Know Where to Get Weather Information
You can learn about storm watches and warnings on the National Weather Service website. The NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center posts regional weather warnings, and the National Hurricane Center tracks tropical storms and hurricanes. Contact your local government emergency management office to find out where to evacuate in the event of a hurricane if you’re in a coastal area.
How to Prepare Your Family for a Natural Disaster
Know Where to Get Weather Information
You can learn about storm watches and warnings on the National Weather Service website. The NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center posts regional weather warnings, and the National Hurricane Center tracks tropical storms and hurricanes. Contact your local government emergency management office to find out where to evacuate in the event of a hurricane if you’re in a coastal area.
How to Prepare Your Family for a Natural Disaster
Water rescue in Texas after Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Balinda O’Neal Dresel
Have a Plan
Make sure every household member knows what to do in the event of an evacuation. FEMA recommends that families practice who will do what in an emergency, and how you will communicate. Make a list of what to grab on your way out, such as important documents; an emergency kit with supplies for basic survival, including medical items, toiletries and disinfectant, candles, matches, a manual can opener, batteries and a flashlight; and a “go bag” with a few items for each family member, including extra eyeglasses, if needed. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security suggests gathering needed supplies for at least three days, including those for pets. Make sure the kit and bag are in a closet or stored near one of the home’s entries or exits.
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Have a Plan
Make sure every household member knows what to do in the event of an evacuation. FEMA recommends that families practice who will do what in an emergency, and how you will communicate. Make a list of what to grab on your way out, such as important documents; an emergency kit with supplies for basic survival, including medical items, toiletries and disinfectant, candles, matches, a manual can opener, batteries and a flashlight; and a “go bag” with a few items for each family member, including extra eyeglasses, if needed. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security suggests gathering needed supplies for at least three days, including those for pets. Make sure the kit and bag are in a closet or stored near one of the home’s entries or exits.
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Flooding in Conway, South Carolina, following Hurricane Florence in September 2018. U.S. National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder
Check Your Roof
Your home’s roof is particularly vulnerable to a hurricane’s high winds. Before hurricane season begins, call a building inspector or roofing contractor to check the stability of your roof’s tiles, soffits and flashing, and to make sure hurricane anchors and straps are properly attached. The gable area of a roof is especially prone to damage from a hurricane, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. The triangular section called the gable-end wall that connects the roof to the home’s walls can be reinforced with braces and clips.
Strengthen Your Doors
The Insurance Information Institute recommends using exterior doors that are hurricane-proof and have at least three hinges and a deadbolt lock at least 1 inch long. Since it’s usually the largest opening of your house, the garage door is one of the most vulnerable areas during a hurricane, and wind entering via this large opening can compromise your home’s roof. The Florida Division of Emergency Management recommends replacing an unreinforced garage door with one that is approved for wind pressure and impact protection. You can also use vertical and horizontal bracing to strengthen an unreinforced garage door.
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Check Your Roof
Your home’s roof is particularly vulnerable to a hurricane’s high winds. Before hurricane season begins, call a building inspector or roofing contractor to check the stability of your roof’s tiles, soffits and flashing, and to make sure hurricane anchors and straps are properly attached. The gable area of a roof is especially prone to damage from a hurricane, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. The triangular section called the gable-end wall that connects the roof to the home’s walls can be reinforced with braces and clips.
Strengthen Your Doors
The Insurance Information Institute recommends using exterior doors that are hurricane-proof and have at least three hinges and a deadbolt lock at least 1 inch long. Since it’s usually the largest opening of your house, the garage door is one of the most vulnerable areas during a hurricane, and wind entering via this large opening can compromise your home’s roof. The Florida Division of Emergency Management recommends replacing an unreinforced garage door with one that is approved for wind pressure and impact protection. You can also use vertical and horizontal bracing to strengthen an unreinforced garage door.
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Protect Your Windows
As part of regular maintenance, make sure all windows are properly sealed to keep out leaks. According to the Insurance Information Institute, much of the property damage from hurricanes occurs after strong winds break windows and damage doors and the roof, allowing water to enter the home. If you live in a coastal area where hurricanes are a threat, you can use permanent or temporary protection. Permanent hurricane impact windows of multipane tempered glass are made to withstand strong winds. Hurricane shutters are attached to existing window frames and can be closed in advance of a big storm. For temporary protection, you can also cover regular windows with plywood when a storm is imminent.
Protect Your Basement
If your home has a basement, there’s a chance it will flood during heavy rain. Water can seep through cracks in walls or the floor, or enter through windows and doors or via the drainage system or sewer lines. To mitigate basement flooding, FEMA recommends having a sump pump and making sure it’s in working order; using a standpipe fitted into a floor drain to hold sewer overflow; and installing check valves in sewer lines to keep water from backing up into your drains.
How to Protect Your Home From a Natural Disaster
As part of regular maintenance, make sure all windows are properly sealed to keep out leaks. According to the Insurance Information Institute, much of the property damage from hurricanes occurs after strong winds break windows and damage doors and the roof, allowing water to enter the home. If you live in a coastal area where hurricanes are a threat, you can use permanent or temporary protection. Permanent hurricane impact windows of multipane tempered glass are made to withstand strong winds. Hurricane shutters are attached to existing window frames and can be closed in advance of a big storm. For temporary protection, you can also cover regular windows with plywood when a storm is imminent.
Protect Your Basement
If your home has a basement, there’s a chance it will flood during heavy rain. Water can seep through cracks in walls or the floor, or enter through windows and doors or via the drainage system or sewer lines. To mitigate basement flooding, FEMA recommends having a sump pump and making sure it’s in working order; using a standpipe fitted into a floor drain to hold sewer overflow; and installing check valves in sewer lines to keep water from backing up into your drains.
How to Protect Your Home From a Natural Disaster
Aerial photos of the New Jersey coastline in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen
Maintain Your Outdoor Space
As part of regular maintenance to protect against water damage, make sure your house’s gutters, downspouts and storm drains are free of debris so water doesn’t back up during heavy rain. Keep water away from your house by extending downspouts away from the foundation (but not toward your neighbor’s property). Trim tree branches that are dead or hanging too close to your house to prevent them from falling during strong winds and rain. If you use rocks as xeriscaping, consider replacing the stones closest to the house with mulch, because high winds can throw rocks into windows, according to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes.
Maintain Your Outdoor Space
As part of regular maintenance to protect against water damage, make sure your house’s gutters, downspouts and storm drains are free of debris so water doesn’t back up during heavy rain. Keep water away from your house by extending downspouts away from the foundation (but not toward your neighbor’s property). Trim tree branches that are dead or hanging too close to your house to prevent them from falling during strong winds and rain. If you use rocks as xeriscaping, consider replacing the stones closest to the house with mulch, because high winds can throw rocks into windows, according to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes.
Flooding after a storm surge in Horry County, South Carolina, on Sept. 24 and 25, 2018, following Hurricane Florence’s landfall. U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Roberto Di Giovine
If a Storm Is Imminent
Whether or not your home is under mandatory evacuation, it’s a good idea to keep your outdoor space clear of loose items when a storm is coming. High winds can blow objects into windows and doors, so move patio furniture, outdoor equipment, signs and toys away from your house. If a hurricane is forecast to strike within six hours and you’re not under mandatory evacuation, FEMA recommends staying put and alerting friends and family where you are. This is the time to close storm shutters and stay away from windows, which can shatter. The agency advises turning your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and opening them only when necessary, to keep food fresh in case of power outage.
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If a Storm Is Imminent
Whether or not your home is under mandatory evacuation, it’s a good idea to keep your outdoor space clear of loose items when a storm is coming. High winds can blow objects into windows and doors, so move patio furniture, outdoor equipment, signs and toys away from your house. If a hurricane is forecast to strike within six hours and you’re not under mandatory evacuation, FEMA recommends staying put and alerting friends and family where you are. This is the time to close storm shutters and stay away from windows, which can shatter. The agency advises turning your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and opening them only when necessary, to keep food fresh in case of power outage.
More on Houzz
Read more stories about preparing for natural disasters
Find a contractor to get your home in shape
Shop for tools and equipment
On average, 12 tropical storms form over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea or Gulf of Mexico from June 1 to Nov. 30 and six become hurricanes, according to the National Weather Service. While hurricanes are the biggest threat to people and property, tropical storms and the resulting rain, wind, tornadoes and high surf can cause widespread destruction. Some states have stringent building codes to strengthen homes in hurricane-prone areas. There are also steps any homeowner can take to shore up their property to protect against big storms.