8 Tips To Prepare Your Home for Hurricanes and Severe Storms

8 Tips To Prepare Your Home for Hurricanes and Severe Storms

Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires and severe storms are all becoming more frequent and intense across the country, sometimes even in places that rarely experience them. The costs associated with these storms are increasing, too. Preparation is key—not only for your family's safety, but also to protect your home and minimize financial fallout.

Here, learn eight ways you can protect your home before, during and after a hurricane or severe storm.

1. Assess Your Home's Vulnerabilities

Before storm season begins, inspect key areas of your home for weak spots. Check your roof, windows, foundation, doors and drainage for problems like loose shingles, cracks or places where building materials are pulling apart.

Think in terms of multiple hazards. High winds and heavy rains can directly cause debris impact, rising water and falling rain. Storm surges can bring high water after the worst of the storm has passed. And storm damage to electric and gas systems can lead to house fires and wildfires.

Identifying potential problem areas in and around your house lets you take control and address maintenance or reinforcement issues in advance.

2. Protect Windows, Doors and Roofs

High winds and flying debris pose a threat to windows and doors, particularly sliding glass doors. Broken glass from a storm poses an immediate injury threat. Compromised doors and windows also open the home to the risk of heavy water damage.

Losing sliding doors or garage doors can even allow enough wind into the home to weaken or blow off the roof from the inside. Keep wind and debris out by installing storm shutters or securing plywood coverings cut to fit weaker doors and unprotected windows.

Secure any loose roofing materials and repair any damage that could worsen in a storm.

3. Prepare Your Yard and Exterior

High winds can turn unsecured items like patio furniture, garden decor, trash cans and kids' toys into dangerous projectiles. Store these items indoors or secure them outside. Anchor grills to something sturdy, and remove propane or shut off gas.

Remove dead branches and cut down trees that could fall on your home. For larger trees and higher branches, hire a professional landscaper or arborist. Be sure to remove the trimmings from your property.

Clogged drains could contribute to flooding around your home and even cause sewage backups. If your drains are blocked by sediment, leaves or other debris, reach out to a professional landscaper for assistance clearing them.

4. Review Insurance Coverage and Document Your Property

Review your homeowner's or renters' insurance for storm, wind, wildfire and flood coverage. Each of these may be covered by separate policies, so it's important to know your coverage. Understand what's covered, what isn't and how much each deductible is. If you identify any gaps, talk to your insurance provider to create a comprehensive set of policies that meet your risk profile.

Go through your home before severe weather strikes and document everything inside with photos or videos. These images can help support any future claims.

5. Build a Home Emergency Kit

Create an emergency supply kit that can get you through a few days without power or water in your home. In addition to food, water, first aid and personal essentials, include supplies specifically for home protection. These include tarps, sandbags, plastic sheeting and tools to secure your property.

Keep a portable kit with essentials you can take with you if you need to evacuate, including phone chargers, medicines, identification and cash.

Save copies of important documents (insurance policies, mortgage papers and medical information) in a waterproof, portable container that's ready to grab and go. Make digital copies of all these documents and ensure they're stored online as well as on a small drive you can easily take with you.

6. Plan for Power Outages and Utility Disruptions

Prepare for short-term power outages by making sure you have flashlights and fresh batteries, and rechargeable power banks for phones and small electronics. Keep electronics, especially medical devices, fully charged as the storm approaches.

Depending on your environment and the length of disruption, loss of power can lead to serious ongoing problems ranging from frozen and burst pipes to excessive heat. Prepare for longer-term outages with backup power solutions like portable generators and whole-home battery packs. Use surge protectors to safeguard appliances and electronics against power surges.

Know how to turn off your gas, water and electricity if needed.

7. Protect Against Flooding

Before the rain starts, take steps to prevent water from entering your home. To ensure proper drainage, clear out leaves and twigs that can clog gutters and downspouts. Overflowing gutters and drains can cause water to soak into your walls and roof and pool around your foundation.

Consider flood barriers, sandbags or water diversion products if your home is in a flood-prone area. Many municipalities offer free sandbag filling stations when a serious storm is anticipated.

If your home has a sump pump, test it regularly, and consider adding a backup power source like a home generator.

8. Make Long-Term, Storm-Resistant Upgrades

For homes in high-risk areas, investing in upgrades can improve safety and potentially lower insurance premiums.

Install tempered glass sliding doors, and consider upgrading to impact-resistant storm windows for greater protection. Look for reinforced garage doors rated to withstand both wind pressure and debris impact. Entry doors should have three or more hinges and a deadbolt at least one inch long.

Consider investing in a whole-home generator that will provide nearly uninterrupted power, like Generac, particularly if someone in your home relies on electronic medical equipment.

Hurricane straps are an investment that can protect your roof. Despite the name—they are also known as hurricane ties or tie-down straps—these straps are a type of rustproof hardware installed by a roofer to strengthen the attachment of your roof.

While these upgrades can be significant investments, they may qualify for financing, allowing you to spread out costs while protecting your property for years to come.

Get Storm-Ready

Preparing your home for severe weather isn't just about safety. It's a smart financial move that can help reduce repair costs, speed up insurance claims and even improve your home's long-term value. Natural disasters may be inevitable, but proactive preparation empowers you before disaster strikes.

Your family's peace of mind is priceless, but it doesn't have to be costly. Financing options can help bring peace of mind to your family without straining your budget. Finding the right landscaper, electrician, roofer or other professional can help ensure your family's safety and your property's value. Use Synchrony's handy Home Improvement Locator to find the right contractor for you and enjoy special financing to pay for the project over time. Protect your dreams today!