Prepare Your Home for a Storm Master Checklist

The Basics

• Know the severe weather risks in your area.
• Prepare a Storm Readiness Kit.
• Sit down with your family and develop a plan in case of severe weather.
• Take pictures or videos of your house and valuables for insurance purposes.

Hurricanes

• Prepare shutters or other coverings for doors and windows.
• Reinforce the roof trusses—a cool-weather job.
• Examine and repair roof shingles—do it while the weather’s cool or overcast.
• Caulk openings, flashings and soffits.
• Reinforce the entry doors and round up exterior covering as required.
• Replace hard mulch with soft material.
• Buy and install a backflow-prevention device in your sewer line.
• Trim your trees and bushes.
• Purchase supplies for your Storm Readiness Kit.
• Purchase generator, gas cans, carbon monoxide detectors and extension cords.
• Decide how to tie down large outdoor equipment, and purchase supplies.
• Reinforce or replace your garage door.
• Purchase supplies for cleanup and repair.

Flooding

• Purchase flood insurance.
• Buy and install a backflow-prevention device in your sewer line.
• Consider moving heating/cooling appliances and electrical panel to higher level.
• Purchase plastic sheeting and sand bags.
• Seal basement walls to prevent seepage.

Tornado

• Consider buying or building a safe room or shelter.
• Have mattresses or padding available at your place of shelter.
• Decide how to tie down large outdoor equipment, and purchase supplies.

Did you know?

• Most hurricane damage is caused, not by wind, but water entering the house from leaks, broken windows, flood water, storm surges and back- flowing sewers.
• In over 80% of the cases, wind damage to homes starts when the garage door is compromised.
• SUVs—because of their larger size and larger tires—are actually more buoyant than small cars and can be swept away on flooded roads just as easily.
• The most common cause of roof shingle failure during a hurricane is poor installation and improper nailing.
• If you store water in case of emergencies, you’ll need at least one gallon per person, per day. A three-day supply is a good minimum.

Information for this post was made in collaboration with Lowes for a severe weather guide.