The short answer
Secure Your Home's Exterior
Inspect your home's exterior for vulnerabilities that could lead to water intrusion. Trim any tree branches that could break and damage your roof or siding during high winds. Clear your gutters and downspouts of all debris to ensure rainwater can flow away from your foundation. Installing storm shutters or pre-cutting plywood for windows can prevent wind-driven rain from entering and causing interior damage.
Walk around your property and secure or bring indoors any loose items. Patio furniture, grills, garbage cans, and garden decorations can become dangerous projectiles in hurricane-force winds. Anchor fuel tanks and other large outdoor structures if possible. These steps help prevent structural damage to your home and your neighbors' properties, reducing the chance of leaks from impacts.
Protect Against Flooding
Flooding is a major risk during hurricanes, even if your home is not in a designated flood zone. Move important documents, electronics, and valuable furniture to the highest floor in your home. Place items on shelves or blocks to keep them off the floor. If you have a basement, consider moving critical items upstairs to avoid total loss from potential floodwater.
Check the location of your main water shutoff valve and ensure everyone in the household knows how to use it. This can prevent additional water damage if pipes burst during the storm. If you have a sump pump, test it to confirm it is working properly. Consider installing a battery backup for your sump pump in case of a power failure.
Prepare Essential Supplies
Assemble an emergency kit that can sustain your household for at least three days. Your kit should include non-perishable food, bottled water, flashlights, and batteries. Include a battery-powered radio, personal hygiene items, pet supplies, and any special needs for infants or elderly family members. Keep this kit in an easily accessible, dry location.
Develop a family communication plan in case you are separated during the storm. Designate a meeting place and an out-of-town contact person. Ensure all family members have important phone numbers written down, as cell service may be unreliable. Keep your vehicle's gas tank full in case you need to evacuate quickly. Review local evacuation routes and shelter locations ahead of time.
Safeguard Utilities and Important Documents
Take steps to protect your home's utilities from damage. If you expect significant flooding, you may need to turn off electricity at the main breaker to prevent electrocution and fire. Know how to safely shut off your natural gas supply if you smell gas. Anchor your water heater to wall studs with straps to prevent it from tipping and causing a leak.
Gather and protect critical documents in a waterproof container. This includes insurance policies, identification, property deeds, medical records, and bank information. Take photos or videos of your home's interior and exterior to document its condition and your belongings for any potential insurance claims. Store digital copies of these documents on a secure cloud service or a portable hard drive.
What to Do After the Storm
Once it is safe, carefully inspect your home for water damage. Look for visible leaks, standing water, and damp spots on walls, ceilings, and floors. Be extremely cautious of electrical hazards and structural instability. If you find water damage, act quickly to mitigate further problems. The longer water sits, the more damage it can cause, including mold growth.
For significant water intrusion, local water damage pros can provide a thorough inspection and drying. They use tools like moisture meters to map hidden moisture in walls and under flooring. Their work often includes water extraction, structural drying, and dehumidification to restore your home. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered, so check your policy and document all damage.
- Check for structural damage before re-entering your home.
- Photograph all damage for your insurance records.
- Remove wet items like carpets and furniture to prevent mold.
- Begin drying out the area with fans if it is safe to use electricity.
- Contact local water damage pros for a comprehensive moisture inspection.
- Discard any food that may have spoiled due to power loss.
Talk to someone now
Call (405) 565-9833 any time, day or night, and describe what happened.
Call Now (405) 565-9833Frequently asked questions
Should I turn off my water before a hurricane?
It is not typically necessary to turn off your main water supply before a hurricane unless you are evacuating. However, knowing the location of your shutoff valve is critical. If a pipe bursts during or after the storm, you can quickly stop the flow to prevent extensive water damage inside your home.
How can I prepare my windows without shutters?
If you do not have storm shutters, you can board up windows with pre-cut 5/8-inch marine plywood. Securely fasten the plywood over the outside of the window frame using appropriate anchors. This provides a strong barrier against wind-borne debris and helps prevent windows from breaking, which is a common cause of water intrusion during a storm.
What if my home floods despite my preparations?
If flooding occurs, prioritize safety and avoid contact with contaminated water. Once safe, contact the pros for emergency water extraction and flood damage cleanup. They have the equipment to remove water, dry the structure, and help prevent mold. Document all damage with photos for your insurance company. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered.