Preparing your home for storm season before it arrives

Storm preparation is mostly work that has to be finished before any forecast appears. The aim is to help the outside of the house handle wind and rain, to reduce the number of loose objects that can turn into hazards and to give everyone in the household a plan they already understand. Most of these jobs take an afternoon or two, and the best time to start is well before the first warning in your area.

The work falls into five areas: the roof and gutters, the windows and doors, the yard, a written household plan, and a record of the home's contents and documents. Each area has a few checks that matter more than the rest, and the sections below focus on those.

Check the roof and gutters

Look at the roof from the ground first, using binoculars if necessary. Missing, cracked or curled shingles, loose flashing around chimneys and vents, and sagging ridge lines all suggest a weak point that strong wind or heavy rain can make worse. Repairs on the roof itself usually need a qualified roofer, and nobody should climb onto a roof in wet or windy weather. Clean the gutters and downspouts so water can leave the house, and confirm that each downspout discharges well away from the foundation. Blocked gutters can overflow in heavy rain and send water into the eaves and walls.

Check the attic before the season starts as well. Look for stains on the rafters, damp insulation or daylight around vent openings, since these can point to past leaks that a storm would make worse. Mark any problem spots and arrange repairs early, while contractors have time to schedule the work.

Secure windows, doors and the garage door

Check that exterior doors and windows latch fully and that weatherstripping is intact, because water often enters through gaps before it enters through broken glass. Many households prepare for storms by fitting storm shutters or pre-cut plywood panels to the largest windows. Mark each panel with the window it fits, keep the fasteners with it and test the fit once, so the panels can go up quickly when they are needed.

The garage door is a common weak point. Wind can push a large door inward, and a breached garage can let wind pressure into the rest of the house. Ask a garage door professional whether your door has a wind-load rating or whether a bracing kit suits it, and check that the tracks, rollers and hinges are secure. Make sure everyone in the house knows how to use the manual release on the opener, in case the power fails and the door has to be operated by hand.

Clear loose objects and trim trees

Before a storm, anything outside that can move should be secured or stored indoors. Patio furniture, potted plants, trash and recycling bins, hoses, grills, garden decorations and toys can all turn into projectiles in strong wind. Light objects can travel a long way, and heavy ones can batter windows and siding. Bring in what you can carry and anchor or tie down the rest.

Trim branches that overhang the roof or lean toward the house, but keep well away from overhead power lines. Work near power lines should be left to the utility or a licensed tree service. Dead branches and damaged trees are the least predictable items on a property, so a check by a certified arborist on large trees near the house is a sensible step before the season starts.

Write a household plan

A written plan removes much of the guesswork when conditions are poor. Include where each person should go if the house becomes unsafe, how members will contact each other if phone service is disrupted, and the name of an out-of-area contact everyone can reach. Note where the water, gas and electricity shut-offs are and who knows how to use them. Shut off gas only if you smell gas or officials tell you to, because restoring service requires a utility visit. Plan for pets, medications and any household member who needs extra help, and decide who will check on neighbors who may need assistance.

Sign up for local alerts and make sure every phone in the house can receive them. Keep a paper copy of the plan, since a phone or laptop may not be available or charged when you need the information.

Record your possessions and documents

Store copies of insurance policies, identification, property records and medical information in a waterproof container or a secure digital location. Photograph or film each room, opening closets and drawers, so you have a record of what the house contained. Keep that record somewhere outside the home, such as an account in the cloud or with a relative. Review your insurance coverage with your insurer, and ask specifically about wind and flood, since many standard home policies do not cover flood damage.

Preparation has a timing problem: it feels unnecessary until it suddenly becomes urgent. Doing these tasks early, and reviewing them each season, means that when a warning is issued the work left is small. It comes down to moving the last items indoors, charging devices and following the plan you already have, together with the instructions from local officials.