7 Tips To Prepare For Severe Weather

Being prepared for anything is part of the responsibility of being a homeowner.

There’s a lot in life we can control, but even more that we can’t. Severe weather can show up in your area at any time, whether it’s heavy rain, wind storms, extreme heat or cold, or potential flooding. 

Staying ready for any possibility instead of waiting for something to happen makes acting in an emergency situation quicker, safer, and easier for all involved.

Here are the steps we’d recommend taking to prepare your home for situations that could arise:

1. Create A Home Inventory 

To start, taking an inventory of your home shortly after moving in is highly recommended. Go around to all of your valuables and take pictures, write down the serial numbers, and note anything else of possible importance for the future.

You don’t have to include everything down to the last fork and knife, but the more documentation you have, the better for insurance purposes.

2. Review Your Insurance Coverage

Speaking of insurance, take a thorough look at your insurance policy. Make sure you understand what’s covered and what is not, especially concerning weather-related damages like flooding and windstorms. Insurance policies can vary all over the country and it’s important to know what’s necessary and available in your area.

Consider purchasing additional flood or earthquake insurance if needed, as these are often not included in standard policy.

3. Secure Your Home’s Structure

Different issues can sneak up on you in your home if you aren’t staying on top of them. Inspect your roof for loose shingles or damage and make sure that downspouts are clear to prevent water backup.

Seal any gaps or cracks around windows & doors with weatherstripping or caulk to prevent drafts and leaks.

Consider installing storm shutters or impact-resistant windows in areas prone to hurricanes or high winds. Elevating your home or sealing your foundation can also drastically reduce the risk of flooding in flood-prone areas.  

4. Prepare For Power Outages

It seems that having a backup power source is more important today than ever with the rise of everyday technology, smart homes, and embedded tech. Consider installing a backup power source for the home in case of outages, like a portable generator, a home standby generator system, or a solar plus battery backup system.

Along those same lines, keep an emergency kit on hand with flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and chargers for communication devices. Depending on the circumstances and how severe the imminent weather is, turn off or unplug non-essential appliances to prevent damage from power surges.

5. Protect Against Flooding

Flash floods are happening more and more around the country today, a lot of them in areas that are not known to flood regularly. Taking every precaution is the best thing a homeowner could do to get prepared for the possibility that they could be next.

Ensure that the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation and that the gutters are free and clear of debris. As mentioned above, apply waterproofing sealants to basement walls to close any cracks that water could enter through. If your home does not have a battery operated sump-pump already installed, consider adding one for an extra preventative measure.

Keeping sandbags or other temporary flood barriers on hand to deploy around entry points in your home during heavy rainfall or flooding events is also recommended, especially in areas more likely to flood.

6. Prepare For Extreme Temperatures

Whether your home is running too hot or too cold, insulation could be useful. Adding insulation to your attic, walls, and floors can help improve energy efficiency and maintain consistent indoor temperatures in both cold and hot weather.

Sealing the gaps in windows and doors, as mentioned above for flood preparation, also can help to minimize drafts that can affect temperature control.

Having your HVAC system routinely inspected and serviced will also ensure that systems are working efficiently in times of extreme high and low temperatures. You don’t want to find out that your A/C needs refrigerant or freon on a 100 degree day!

7. General Preparedness

One paramount lesson that homeowners have to remember above all is that absolutely anything can happen at any time. It’s best to stay prepared for any situation that could arise. Maintain a well-stocked emergency kit with a first-aid kit and enough food, water, and other necessities to last you at least 72 hours.

In addition, regularly trim trees on your property and remove dead branches to reduce the risk of possible damage during storms. Store or tie down outdoor furniture, grills, and other objects that could become projectiles in high winds. 

****************************************************************************************************************

As we’ve said before, there are many things that we can control in life...but the weather is not one of them. Make sure that you are regularly inspecting and maintaining your home throughout the year to ensure preparation for anything that could get thrown at you. These preventative measures can significantly reduce the impact of severe weather on your home and, most importantly, add to your safety during it.