How to Prepare Your Home for a Storm

How Do You Prepare for a Storm?

It’s easy to forget how fierce spring storms can be during the relative calm of a cold winter afternoon. But on those lazy winter days, you’ve likely got the time to make preparations for upcoming foul weather. Take a look at our tips on how to ready your home — and your homeowners coverage — so you’re prepared when severe thunderstorm warnings pop up on your local radar.

1. Sign up for weather text alerts

To get real-time National Weather Service alerts, download the FEMA app to your smartphone. That way you’ll have access important emergency safety tips for over 20 types of disasters, too. Even if you live a few hundred miles from the coast, be sure you’ve got an emergency plan in place — hurricane season is not far away.

Also, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sends text messages to keep you updated on emergency situations. But long before anything gets that severe, your local government, weather channel, radio stations and power companies have similar services that let you know what’s happening in your region. The more information you get, the easier it is to plan and prepare.

2. Evaluate the exterior of your home

Your house is designed to shelter you from the weather. To keep it in tip-top condition, do regular walk-arounds and inspect your property for issues. Keep an eye out for the following red flags:

• Loose shingles that look rippled or those that have already fallen to the ground
• Check the siding to see if it’s firmly in place
• Tree branches extending over your house or driveway that could fall during a storm
• All unattached structures like sheds or gazeboes should be bolted securely to their foundation
• Note free-standing patio furniture and umbrellas that should be secured or pulled inside when a storm hits
• Gutters should be firmly attached, and all downspouts should aim runoff away from the foundation
• If you have shutters, make sure they’re secure
• Check to see if your fence needs repair
• Close and lock all windows and doors, including garage doors

3. Clean gutters and downspouts

Getting your gutters cleaned should be part of your spring and fall home maintenance routine. This proactive habit keeps water run-off away from your home and helps prevent flooding. It also gives you the opportunity to inspect your rain gutters for leaks and sagging. When you‘re ready to tackle the task, keep the following in mind:

• Obey all ladder safety precautions and have a spotter there to help
• Wear gloves and use a gardening trowel to pull out debris
• Drape a tarp on the ground or use a bucket for easy clean-up
• Use your hose to force water through downspouts to make sure they’re clean
• Hire a professional gutter-cleaning contractor if you’re not up to the task

4. Check your sump pump

As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” And with all that rain, your risk of flooding increases. If you have a sump pump, it’s a great idea to run through an annual sump pump maintenance list.

You’ll want to clear all debris so it doesn’t impede function and ensure your back-up sump is in working order. Consider adding sump pump failure and water backup coverage — you’ll have better protection that can bring real peace of mind when heavy rain starts to fall.

5. Tend to leaks now

If you’ve had leaks in the past, it’s best to take care of them now — before there’s more damage. It’s also worth taking a look at the foundation in your basement and along exterior walls to see if there are signs of past leaks that went unnoticed.

6. Review your storm safety plans

Get together with your family and go over what to do if there’s a big storm. Things to consider for your storm safety plan:

• Identify the safest place to shelter in your home for each type of storm
• Create a social network communication plan for times when you’re not together
• Learn your area’s evacuation routes and create an evacuation plan
• Determine how your pets will be included in the safety plan
• If you’re bringing supplies into the safe area, make a list of who will be responsible for collecting these items

If you live in a region more prone to hurricanes, you’ll need to take extra precautions like securing important documents. Read our preparing for a hurricane tips for more information.

7. Check your emergency kits

Your storm survival kit should be refreshed once or twice a year, just to make sure nothing has expired. You might find that your household’s needs have changed, so a little updating could be required. If you’re making your kit for the first time, remember it should be customized to suit your family’s needs, but the following items are a great starting point:

• Two gallons of water per person
• A three-day supply of non-perishable food for the family and pets
• Flashlights and batteries
• A battery-powered or hand-crank radio/NOAA weather radio
• First aid kit
• Garbage bags
• Blankets
• A few books and games keep everyone occupied and entertained
• Two months’ worth of prescription medications, if possible

8. Prepare for a power outage

Are you ready for the electricity to go out? Take these steps so you’re prepared if your power goes out for an extended period of time:

Address medical concerns that rely on a consistent power supply:

• Talk to your doctor about what to do during a power outage
• Discuss your concerns with your power company so they can put you on their priority list

Manage your electricity needs:

• Fire up your generator and be sure it’s in good working order
• Plug all your expensive electronics in to surge protectors just in case there’s surge while power is being restored
• Charge your phones and any other electronic devices
• Fill the car and generator gas cans with fuel, and then swing by the store to grab some non-perishable foods

9. Make a home inventory