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How to Prepare Your House for a Big Storm

Posted On Monday, 13 May 2024 13:45
How to Prepare Your House for a Big Storm Photo by Anton Kudryashov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-lightning-above-a-town-9862226/

If you know there's a big hurricane or tropical storm coming, you'd be prudent to prepare your house. Properly preparing for these natural disasters can help you mitigate damage, protect your possessions, and ultimately preserve your cherished family property. But what are the right ways to prepare your home for one of these storms?

Clean the Gutters

One of the first things you should do is clean out your gutters – especially if you haven’t done it in a while. When a big storm rolls in, it will likely bring significant rainfall. Your gutters are responsible for gathering the excess rain off your roof and transporting it safely to the ground. If your gutters are clogged or otherwise unable to perform those duties, they could become overfilled and ultimately cause damage to your roof.

Fortunately, cleaning the gutters is a quick and easy task that can help you avoid this disastrous outcome.

Trim Deadwood

In addition to rainfall, heavy storms usually bring strong winds. That means your trees and surroundings risk extensive damage. If you have trees and bushes on your property, give them a thorough trim. Otherwise, dead and weak wood can easily be blown off – and eventually cause damage to your property or hurt someone.

Store Your Outdoor Furniture (and Other Outdoor Items)

Do a clean sweep of your outdoor area, assuming you have one. If you have any outdoor furniture, now is the time to bring it inside or at least secure it in some fashion so it's not going to be blown away. In addition to preventing the loss of these valuable assets, this can also help keep people in your neighborhood safe.

While you're at it, keep your eye out for any other decorations or items that could be subject to displacement or water damage. If they can be moved, move them inside or close to your property to minimize chances of disruption. If they can't be moved, consider securing them to the ground or covering them with a tarp.

Board Up the Windows

If you anticipate a hurricane or a similarly vicious storm, you may want to board up your windows. This is a somewhat expensive and time-consuming process, but it could help keep your property safe and minimize the possibility of broken glass hurting someone.

Inspect the Roof

If you have the time, consider hiring a professional roofer to inspect your roof. If your roof is starting to degrade, or if it has any significant points of damage, those flaws are going to be magnified under the intensity of the storm. Any broken or missing shingles could cause catastrophic damage under the right conditions; you're better off fixing these problems before the storm arrives.

If you can't or don't want to hire a professional roofer, at least use a pair of binoculars to inspect your roof yourself.

Stock Up on Supplies

This is a great opportunity to stock up on supplies, including:

•  Food. If you're stuck in the house or on the move, you'll need food to keep going. Try to stockpile at least a few days of food.

•  Water. Consider buying extra gallons of distilled water and filling your bathtub with potable water while you have it. You should also have a secondary plan to make potable water, such as purchasing a portable filtering system.

•  Hygiene items. Buy some extra soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper while you can.

•  Medical supplies. Examine your first aid supplies and replace them or add to them as necessary.

•  Power sources. Consider readying a backup power source, such as a generator or portable power banks, in case the electricity goes out.

Make an Escape Plan

You should also have an escape plan in place for you and your family.

•  Documents and cash. Make sure you have secure copies of all your important documents, as well as some cash to bring with you. If the storm is intense enough, it may be some time before you're able to go back home.

•  A ready vehicle. You should also make sure your vehicle is ready. Consider loading up your vehicle with some extra supplies, fill up the gas tank, and bring an extra gas can, just in case.

•  Multiple possible routes. In anticipation of the storm, or in recognition of the damage it causes, lots of people in your city may choose to flee. This can congest roadways and make it much more difficult for you to get out of town. Accordingly, you should prepare multiple backup escape routes.

Storms can be devastating, but they don't have to be. As long as you have at least some time to prepare, you can stock up on supplies, protect your property, and ultimately keep your family safe.

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