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How Do I Prepare My Home Before a Major Hurricane?

Last updated October 25, 2026

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The short answer

Secure Windows and Doors

Hurricanes can blow out windows and doors, allowing wind and rain to enter your home and cause significant structural damage. The best protection is to install permanent storm shutters before the storm season begins. If you do not have shutters, you can board up windows and glass doors with exterior-grade plywood cut to fit each opening. Reinforcing garage doors with bracing kits can also prevent them from failing under pressure.

Check all entry points for any existing gaps or weaknesses that could let water in. Apply weatherstripping around doors and use sealant on window frames to improve their water resistance. If you live in Staten Island, consider these upgrades well in advance of hurricane season. This preparation helps keep your home's interior drier and reduces the potential for water damage cleanup later.

Protect Your Home's Exterior

Walk around your property to identify and secure any loose items that high winds could turn into projectiles. Bring patio furniture, grills, potted plants, and trash bins indoors or anchor them securely. Trim tree branches that hang over your roof or near power lines to prevent them from breaking and causing damage. Remove any dead trees or limbs that are already a hazard.

  • Bring all outdoor furniture, decor, and tools indoors.
  • Trim tree branches that could fall on your roof.
  • Secure or store trash cans, recycling bins, and yard waste bags.
  • Anchor permanent outdoor items like sheds or playsets if possible.
  • Check that roof shingles, tiles, and flashing are secure and intact.
  • Remove debris from your yard that could block drains or become airborne.

Prepare for Potential Flooding

Even with the best preparations, heavy rainfall and storm surge can lead to flooding inside your home. Move valuable items, important documents, and electronics to upper floors or high shelves. Roll up area rugs and store them off the floor. If you have time, consider placing sandbags or flood barriers at doorways to slow water entry, but these are not a permanent or perfect seal.

Understand the layout of your home to identify the lowest points where water may enter. If you have a basement, move contents to higher ground or onto pallets. Unplug electrical appliances in areas prone to flooding and know the location of your main electrical panel and water shutoff valve. Quick action to shut off utilities can prevent electrocution and reduce water damage if flooding occurs.

Safeguard Utilities and Systems

Locate and label your main water shutoff valve, gas shutoff valve, and electrical panel. Learn how to turn these utilities off safely. Shutting off the main water valve can prevent contaminated floodwater from backing up into your home's plumbing. Turning off electricity at the breaker panel helps prevent fires and electrocution if water enters your home.

If you have a sump pump, test it before the storm to ensure it is working. Consider installing a battery backup for your sump pump in case of a power outage. For homes with wells, fill bathtubs and containers with clean water for drinking and sanitation before the storm hits, as power loss can disable well pumps. These steps help maintain basic functions during and after the hurricane.

Create an Emergency Plan and Kit

Your family should have a clear emergency plan that includes evacuation routes and a designated meeting place if you become separated. Keep a list of emergency contacts, including your insurance company and local water damage pros, in a waterproof container. Discuss the plan with all household members, including children, so everyone knows what to do and where to go if an evacuation is ordered.

Assemble an emergency kit with enough supplies to last at least 72 hours. Include non-perishable food, water, a first-aid kit, flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered radio, and personal hygiene items. Keep important documents like insurance policies, identification, and medical records in a waterproof, portable container. Having these items ready allows you to focus on safety during the storm and its aftermath.

Water damage does not wait

Every hour counts once water gets into floors and walls. One call starts the response.

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Frequently asked questions

What should I do with my car before a hurricane?

Park your car in a garage if possible, or move it to a designated high ground away from trees and flood-prone areas. Do not park in low-lying streets or under power lines. Fill your gas tank well before the storm, as stations may lose power or run out of fuel.

How can I prepare my apartment for a hurricane?

Follow the same interior steps as a house owner: move valuables away from windows, secure loose balcony items, and know your building's evacuation plan and utility shutoffs. Communicate with your landlord about any needed exterior preparations, like securing common areas. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered for apartment damage.

What if my home floods despite my preparations?

Your priority is safety; do not re-enter a flooded home until authorities say it is safe. Once safe, document all damage with photos for your insurance claim. Contact local water damage pros for flood damage cleanup. They have the equipment to extract water, dry the structure, and help prevent mold.

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