How to Prep Your Home for a Storm: Essential Steps Before You Evacuate

Preparing for a storm requires careful planning and precautionary steps to safeguard both your home and your family. When evacuation orders are issued, prioritizing certain measures can significantly reduce the potential for damage and make the post-storm cleanup process smoother. Here’s a detailed guide on how to protect your home and what to do before you leave to ensure your property is as secure as possible.

1. Secure Your Home’s Exterior

The exterior of your home faces the greatest risk from high winds and flying debris, so reinforcing it can prevent severe damage.

• Board Up Windows and Doors: Plywood boards offer crucial protection for windows and glass doors, preventing shattering from flying objects.
• Secure Outdoor Furniture and Loose Items: Bring in or anchor down patio furniture, potted plants, and yard decor, which could become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
• Clear Gutters and Downspouts: Remove any debris in gutters to prevent water from pooling on your roof, which could lead to leaks.
• Inspect Your Roof: If you have time, check for loose shingles or tiles and secure them to prevent wind and water intrusion.

2. Protect Against Flooding

Flooding is a major concern during storms, so taking these steps can help prevent water from entering your home and causing lasting damage.

• Install a Temporary Sewer Backflow Unit: In heavy storms, sewer systems can overflow, leading to sewage backing up into homes. A temporary backflow prevention valve is an effective way to keep this from happening, keeping wastewater out of your home.
• Sandbags and Flood Barriers: Place sandbags or other barriers around doors, garages, and windows to divert floodwaters and reduce the risk of water entering your home.
• Shut Off Utilities: Turn off your home’s water, gas, and electricity at the main switches. Flooding can lead to dangerous short circuits and gas leaks.
• Elevate Valuables and Electronics: Move valuable items to higher shelves or an upper floor, ideally in waterproof containers.

3. Safeguard Important Documents

Protecting essential documents ensures that even if your home sustains damage, you’ll have what you need for identification, insurance claims, and recovery efforts.

• Gather Important Papers: Collect items like IDs, insurance policies, and medical records, and store them in a waterproof bag or container.
• Back-Up Digital Files: Use a cloud service or USB drive to back up essential digital files, and take it with you when you evacuate.
• Create an Emergency Contact List: Write down critical contact information, such as family members, insurance providers, and local emergency numbers, in case your cell phone gets damaged or loses power.

4. Prep Your Home’s Interior

The inside of your home should be prepped to reduce the risk of structural and water damage. This can help speed up recovery once it’s safe to return.

• Unplug Electronics: Power surges are common during storms, and unplugging electronics can prevent fire hazards and protect devices from damage.
• Protect Floors and Furniture: Cover furniture with plastic sheeting or tarps and move items off the ground to protect them from potential flooding.
• Secure Heavy Furniture: Use wall anchors to secure tall or heavy furniture that could tip over due to high winds or movement in the home.

5. Plan for a Safe Return

When you’re preparing to evacuate, it’s wise to plan for your eventual return. These steps can make the post-storm recovery process much easier.

• Document Your Home’s Condition: Take photos or videos of each room and major features around your property. This documentation will be invaluable for any insurance claims you may need to make.
• Leave Contact Information with Neighbors: Inform neighbors of your evacuation plan, and give them your contact information in case they need to reach you or provide updates on the neighborhood’s condition.
• Prepare Your Insurance Information: Take a copy of your insurance policies and contact information for your insurance provider. This can speed up any claims process if your home is damaged.

Final Thoughts

Preparing your home for a storm is essential for protecting both your property and your family. Following these steps can reduce potential damage, keep your belongings safe, and help you recover more quickly when it’s time to return. And remember: if evacuation orders are given, take them seriously and leave promptly. Preparing ahead ensures that even if a storm causes damage, you’ll have minimized the risks to your home and protected what matters most.