How to prepare your home for a hurricane
By Thumbtack Staff•Last updated Aug 28, 2023
Last updated Aug 28, 2023
Table of Contents
- Know the peak times and find out if you’re at risk
- Stock up on supplies and get your emergency storm kit ready
- Read your homeowners insurance policy
- Get a backup generator
- Get your roof inspected by a pro
- Unclog your gutters and downspouts
- Cut branches and tree limbs
- Remove outdoor furniture and clear your yard
- Hurricane-proof your windows and doors
- Waterproof your basement
- Protect your electrical system and appliances
- Reinforce your garage doors
- What should you do after a hurricane damages your home?
- Hire Thumbtack pros to get your home hurricane-ready
Find local pros for your project
Search for pros
High-speed winds, heavy downpours and surging waves — a hurricane can easily wreak havoc on your home. If you live in a hurricane zone or at-risk state, take steps now to protect your biggest investment. Here are a few ways you can prepare your home for a hurricane.
Know the peak times and find out if you’re at risk
Hurricanes can occur in areas near the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Even if you don’t live right on the coast, you could still be at risk. Hurricanes can affect areas more than 100 miles inland.
Here’s when certain regions enter hurricane season:
- Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season: May 15-November 30
- Atlantic Hurricane Season: June 1-November 30
- Central Pacific Hurricane Season: June 1-November 30
Hurricanes tend to be most active in September. But the sooner you make a plan, the better.
Stock up on supplies and get your emergency storm kit ready
One way to prepare your home for a hurricane is to have an emergency kit on hand. This kit should include personal items and useful supplies such as:
- Soap
- First aid kit
- Medicine
- Can opener
- Backup battery for your cell phone
- Maps
- Important documents and paperwork
- Cash
- Sleeping bag and blanket
- Radio
- Flashlights
- Matches
You should also get hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and enough clean masks for your entire family. Don’t forget to stock up on water, non-perishable food, and canned foods that can be stored easily. Peanut butter, dried fruit, dry cereal, granola, and protein bars are also good foods to have on hand.
Read your homeowners insurance policy
Will your homeowners insurance cover damage caused by strong winds? What about flood damage? If you don’t know the answers, it might be time to pull out your homeowners insurance policy.
Read it carefully, and contact your insurance company if you have questions. If you decide you want additional coverage, explore your options for buying separate policies.
Get a backup generator
A strong hurricane can cause power outages. And if your lights go out, you’ll be glad to have a generator as a backup power source. When operating a portable backup generator, keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t run the generator inside. Portable generators produce carbon monoxide (CO). The CDC advises placing the generator more than 20 feet away from your home’s windows and doors. Make sure your CO detectors are working properly.
- Get it serviced before hurricane season. Hire a pro to inspect your generator for leaks and issues. If repairs are needed, get them done ASAP.
- Make sure you have enough fuel. Check with your municipality and fire codes to find out whether there’s a limit on how much you can store. Keep fuel away from heat, and store it in a container in a dry, well-ventilated area.
Thinking about getting a stationary or standby generator instead? It may take a few weeks to install, and it’s best to hire a professional for this project.
Get your roof inspected by a pro
Inspect your roof for loose, damaged, or missing tiles and shingles. You should also find out whether there are holes or cracks. This step is important because water can seep through weak spots in your roof.
Instead of inspecting the roof yourself, it’s better to hire a professional roofer. Depending on your roof’s condition, the roofer may suggest replacing your shingles and other roofing materials like the underlayment. They may also recommend reinforcing your roof with hurricane straps to help it withstand the wind.
Unclog your gutters and downspouts
Remove dirt and debris from your home’s gutters before hurricane season. During heavy rains, obstructions in your gutters and downspouts could cause flooding.
If you’ve never cleaned your gutters before or if you’re afraid of heights, contact a gutter cleaning service. This is an important home maintenance task that needs to be done properly.
Tip: When you hire a pro to clean your gutters, find out if they can also inspect them for damage. Also ask whether they can secure any loose gutters.
Cut branches and tree limbs
Strong hurricane winds can easily cause tree branches to fall and damage your home’s exterior and roof. If you have trees with diseased or dying branches near your home, remove them before the storm.
But don’t start hacking away just yet. Tree trimming and pruning is an art that requires an expert’s skills to ensure your tree grows healthy for years to come. Plus, this job can be dangerous for inexperienced homeowners. So skip DIY and hire a professional tree trimmer.
Remove outdoor furniture and clear your yard
Go outside and inspect your front yard and backyard for potential obstructions. For example, strong winds can blow around potted plants, patio furniture, garden swings, lawn equipment, grills, bicycles, propane tanks, and trash cans — all of which could severely damage your home and nearby structures.
Clear your yard and find a secure place indoors to store those items. Don't forget to prepare your pool for a hurricane, as well.
Hurricane-proof your windows and doors
Consider investing in impact-resistant doors and windows with heavy-duty frames. When hurricane-proofing your doors, you might also want to install flashing (check your manufacturer’s guidelines first), as well as overlapping house wrap or building paper to protect the flashing. Add weather stripping on your exterior doors to keep water out.
Secure your windows with permanent storm shutters, sometimes called hurricane shutters, to prevent rain from entering your home. When shopping for hurricane shutters, read the reviews and ratings. Do a bit of research to find out how they performed during testing to make sure they’re high quality.
Finally, you can board up your windows and doors for protection. The Red Cross recommends using pre-cut marine plywood that fits your doors and windows.
Waterproof your basement
Flooding can cause severe water damage and mold in your basement. Here are some ways you can help prevent it:
- Make sure your gutters and downspouts are diverting water away from your home’s foundation.
- Seal all cracks and small holes that could allow water to seep into your basement’s interior.
- Install a sump pump, which removes water from your basement when it begins to flood. If you already have a sump pump, make sure it’s working properly.
Find a basement waterproofing service or professional who can help you identify solutions for your basement and drainage system.
Protect your electrical system and appliances
A hurricane can cause power outages and surges, which can wreak havoc on your appliances and electronics. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to avoid potential damage.
For example, unplug small appliances if you can. If you need to access your appliances during a hurricane or storm, consider purchasing a surge protector that can protect them during electricity spikes and surges.
Also, make sure you know how to turn off your home’s electricity. If flooding occurs or if the power lines are down, the CDC recommends switching off your power. Remember to also turn off the electricity if you have to leave your home.
Because of the danger and risks involved, don’t attempt any electrical repairs or installations on your own — hire an electrician instead.
Reinforce your garage doors
If hurricane winds enter your home through your garage doors, it could cause serious structural problems and flooding. Consult a garage door professional or technician to find out how you can reinforce your doors.
For example, you may want to:
- Install pressure-rated garage doors.
- Install an impact-resistant covering for your existing garage door.
- Add girts on the back of the door.
- Buy a garage door reinforcement kit.
What should you do after a hurricane damages your home?
If you have to evacuate your home during a hurricane, you’ll probably be worried about its condition. Try to remain calm and only return home when it’s safe to.
When it’s time to go back home, have a professional inspect your home before you enter it, especially if you notice downed power lines, cracks in the foundation, or other red flags. There may be electrical, structural, or other serious problems around your home. Depending on how severe the hurricane was, your home may have:
- Flooding and wet floors
- Mold and mildew
- Pests, including mice, rats, and even snakes
- Sagging floors or ceiling
- Damaged gas lines
Once it’s safe to enter your home again, take photos of the damage and keep notes. Start scheduling repairs, and use your notes to decide whether you should take more precautions before the next hurricane season.
For instance, you may decide to invest in a metal roof, stronger exterior doors, hurricane shutters, and a more complete home waterproofing system. Do what you can to help prevent hurricane damage and costly repairs in the future.
Hire Thumbtack pros to get your home hurricane-ready
Whether you need help with tree trimming, generator installation, roof repairs, or gutter cleaning, Thumbtack can help you find the right pro for the job. Start searching for the best home services near you today so you’re prepared this hurricane season.
Additional references:
A note about project costs included or linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.
How it works.
Search.
Browse profiles, see prices and use filters to find pros who match your project.
Chat.
Contact the pros you like to discuss project details.
Hire.
Check pro availability and book appointments right in the app.
Find local pros for your project
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll show you pros right for the job, with prices.