5 Tips to Protecting Your Home Against Storm Damage

By Anna Lockhart.  

Are you prepared for a tropical storm or hurricane? Here are some key tips to preparing your home or business for an oncoming storm to help prevent property damage.  

As Storm Hilary made landfall along the California coast over the weekend and the Gulf of Mexico prepares for a possible incoming storm, now is a good time to take your own home and building’s storm protections into account and prepare for any future tropical storm or hurricane events. There are many simple, easy ways for owners to prepare their properties for harsh weather this storm season, and here are five tips to keep in mind the next time there is a tropical storm or hurricane warning in your area.  

1 – Verify insurance policies and coverage 

Floods are often an accompanying effect of tropical storms and hurricanes and can cause significant home and property damage. It is a good idea to check with your insurance company to make sure that your home is insured for flooding, and to verify what specific damages are covered under your existing policy. Many insurance companies have detailed accounts of under which conditions they will cover damages, so owners should be sure to prepare their home and vehicles accordingly to the standards to ensure they will be covered by insurance if damaged.  

2 – Clear away outdoor décor and furniture  

When under a storm warning, owners should be sure to securely and safely store away any furniture or décor outside of the home or building that could potentially be lost or damaged by winds or floods. This includes items such as patio chairs, tables and any unsecured flowerpots or lawn trinkets. We don’t want the lawn gnome going airborne and causing further damage! 

For any outdoor accessories and equipment that cannot be moved indoors or to a more secure location, such as large grills, be sure to anchor them so they are not at risk of going airborne or knocking over.  

3 – Secure windows and entry points 

To prevent interior damage, owners should be sure to board up any windows to protect them from flying debris. Having these materials on hand is a great investment for times of need in short notice. Owners should consider investing in permanent storm shutters or purchasing sheets of plywood that can be nailed over windows.  

Owners should also ensure they properly secure any entrances as well, especially garage doors as they are often damaged due to the weaker materials they are designed out of.  

4 – Trim or remove trees and heavy foliage 

To prevent damage, owners should trim or completely remove any trees or plants that are close to the home or building that could potentially cause damage in a storm. Many insurance companies clarify in their policies how much to trim and remove within certain distances of the home or building. Tree limbs and other foliage debris can easily damage windows, roofs and other parts of the home in severe storms, so it is important to verify that these materials are cleared from the vicinity.  

5 – Check gutters 

To help prevent flooding, owners should clear out any clogged gutters, drains and downspouts. If left unchecked, these systems will be unable to properly divert water from the property and keep the home from flooding.  

For more information about tropical storm and hurricane safety, please check out these additional resources: 

• https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane-plan 
• https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/hurricane.html