How to Prep Your House for a Hurricane: Step-by-Step Guide

Worried about how to prep your house for a hurricane? Here's a step-by-step guide to walk you through the entire process so you're as prepared as possible.

Yep! In the south, storm season is a big deal. And if you live on the coast between Texas and Florida, hurricanes are an even bigger deal.

If you want to make sure you're protecting one of your biggest investments you need to know how to prep your house for a hurricane. In this guide, we'll walk you through, step-by-step everything you need to know to get ready for a hurricane.

Let's get to it!

What to Worry About During a Hurricane

The first thing you need to know about how to prep your house for a hurricane is what to worry about. How you will protect your house depends a lot on what type of damage that might occur.

When it comes to hurricanes, your biggest concern is the wind. A CAT 1 hurricane has winds up to 95mph. The strength of the wind only goes up from there the stronger the hurricane.

That kind of wind can be dangerous and can cause a lot of damage.

On top of that, you also need to be wary of heavy rains and possible flooding. If you live on the coast, the storm surge can cause sea levels to rise in coastal areas as well.

If a big storm or hurricane is predicted to hit your area, pay careful attention to what the local authorities arecautioning you to prepare for. That will help you better understand which steps you should take to get your house ready.

Step 1: Prep Before Hurricane Season Starts

Although there are plenty of steps you can take to get your home ready right before a storm hits, there are also plenty of things you can do before hurricane season even starts.

Getting some of these tasks done ahead of time will help ensure you are ready for a storm if one does come your way.

Here's what you can do:
●      Review your insurance policy: Make sure you understand exactly what is and isn't covered by your policy. Be sure to review your homeowner's insurance and flood insurance policies.

●      Have your roof inspected: Get a professional roof inspector to check for any weak or damaged areas.

●      Repair any weak or damaged areas: If you find weak or damaged areas of your roof, have them repaired before storm season starts.

●      Document the current condition of your roof: You can also use a professional roof inspection todocument the current condition of your roof. This can help to prove to your insurer that any damage you receive was in fact caused by the storm and pre-existing.

●    Document your possessions: Likewise, documenting your possessions before a storm hits can help youprove the value of the possessions to your insurer if they are destroyed by a storm.

●      Consider investing in a generator: Power outages are common after storms. Having a generator on hand can help keep your basic appliances working in the event of an outage.

●      Create an emergency supply kit: Right before a hurricane hits is not the time you want to be scrambling around trying to buy what you need for an emergency kit. Go ahead and take care of it now and store it in an accessible place so you can grab it quickly if needed.

●      Install hurricane shutters: If you don't have storm shutters, consider installing them before a hurricane hits. They can help protect your windows from strong winds and debris.

Taking care of these tasks before hurricane season starts helps ensure you're as prepared as possible when a storm does come your way.

When Your Area is Under a Hurricane Watch or Warning

The following steps are things you can do if your area is under a hurricane watch or a hurricane warning. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area, while a hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected. 

When either of these is issued for your area it's time to get serious about preparations.

Step 2: Prep Your Yard

Your next step in how to prep your house for a hurricane is to get your yard ready to handle heavy winds andrain. You'll want to minimize anything that could become flying debris during hurricane-force winds and cause damage.

 Here's what you should do:

●      Replace gravel or rock landscaping with wood chips or mulch to reduce potential projectile damage.

●      Secure any patio furniture, grills, and other loose outdoor items that could be picked up by strong winds.

●      Remove dead or weak trees and large branches near your home that could fall onto your house during a hurricane.

●      If you have a boat or trailer, secure it or have it moved to an area away from your home.

Step 3: Secure Your Home

The next step in how to prep your house for a hurricane is to start securing the home itself. You want to make sure your house is sealed tight to prevent any wind or rain from getting in.

You'll also want to secure any doors or windows that could be blown open or damaged by strong winds. Here's what you can do:

 ●      Secure all doors and windows: Make sure all of your exterior doors and windows are securely closed or locked with no gaps. Also, check the caulking around windows and doors, and replace if necessary.

●      Reinforce garage doors: Your garage door is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home when it comes to strong winds. Have a professional check and reinforce if necessary.

●      Replace old shingles: If you have an older roof, consider replacing any weak or damaged shingles before hurricane season starts.

●      Be sure exterior doors are hurricane-proof: Install a kit to reinforce doors and windows, or install new hurricane-resistant doors.

●      Reinforce sliding glass doors: Sliding glass doors should be made of tempered glass and boarded up or have approved shutters.

●      Protect your windows: Secure windows, vents, and skylights with plywood or metal panels.

●      Clear out gutters: Clear gutters of leaves, debris, and other objects that could prevent water from draining.

●      Put out sandbags: Place sandbags in front of your doors if you live in a flood-prone area.

●      Strap down your roof: If you have a metal roof, strap it down with hurricane straps to help keep it in place.

Step 4: Prepare for Power Outages

The last step in how to prep your house for a hurricane is to prepare for power outages. Even if your home doesn't take damage, you could still be without electricity for days or longer.

Here's what you can do to prepare:

●      Charge electronic devices: Make sure your phones, laptops, and other electronics are fully charged before the storm hits.

●      Fill containers with water: Fill as many containers as possible with clean drinking water so you have enough to last for a few days.

●      Stock up on non-perishable food: Have at least three days of food that doesn't require refrigeration, such as canned goods, energy bars, and peanut butter.

●      Have a battery-powered radio: Purchase a hand-crank or battery-powered radio so you can stay updated on the latest news.

●      Fill your bathtub with water: You can use this water to help flush toilets, mop up floors, or for other cleaning needs.

●      Clean your house and wash your sheets: It might be the last time you'll be able to do laundry or clean things for a while.

●      Turn your fridge and freezer to the coldest settings: This will help to keep food fresh longer during a power outage.

●      Unplug your electronics: Unplug any electronics in your house to protect them from electrical surges when power is restored.

Additional Hurricane Safety Tips

In addition to prepping your home for a hurricane, you should also take some extra steps to stay safe during the storm. Here are some safety tips:

●      Create an emergency plan: Have a plan of action that everyone in your family knows and understands in case of an emergency.

●      Create a communication plan: Have a way for every family member to stay in contact with each other and know who to call if separated.

●      Stay informed: Check in with the National Hurricane Center and local news outlets for weather updates and storm warnings.

●      Have an evacuation plan: Put together an emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, and any other items you might need.

●      Stay inside: Make sure you and your loved ones don't venture outdoors during a hurricane unless absolutely necessary or instructed to do so by local authorities.

FAQs About How to Prep Your House for a Hurricane

Here are some frequently asked questions about how to prep your house for a hurricane:

What part of the house is safest during a hurricane?

The safest part of the house during a hurricane is typically an interior room without windows, such as a closet or bathroom.

How long do I need to prepare for a hurricane?

Ideally, you should start preparing for a hurricane at least one week before it's expected to hit your area. This will give you enough time to complete all of the necessary steps.

Do I need to board up my windows?

It's not always necessary to board up your windows, but it is a good idea if you live in an area that experiences strong winds or air pressure during a hurricane. However, you should make sure the boards are securely fastened so they don't become projectiles during the storm.

What type of house is best to survive a hurricane?

The best type of house to survive a hurricane is one that is made with reinforced materials, such as concrete or steel. Additionally, homes should be securely anchored and have

impact-resistant windows and doors. It's also important to ensure the roof is strong enough to withstand strong winds and debris.

How can I reinforce my roof to prevent damage during a hurricane? 

Reinforcing your roof to prevent damage during a hurricane involves securing it with hurricane straps, which are designed to keep the roof in place during strong winds, or having a FORTIFIED roof installed.

A FORTIFIED roof is a type of roofing system that is built to withstand extreme weather conditions like high winds, hail, and heavy rain. The fortified roof is designed with specific building techniques and materials to protect the roofagainst damage caused by strong winds and flying debris.

What should I do if I live in an area that is prone to flooding during a hurricane?

If you live in a flood-prone area during a hurricane, it's important to take extra steps to protect your home frompotential water damage. This includes elevating your appliances and furniture, putting sandbags around your doors, and installing backflow valves on drains.

Additionally, you should have an emergency plan in place if flooding occurs.

How can I make sure my car is safe during a hurricane? 

To ensure your car is safe during a hurricane, you should park it in a secure place away from any trees or powerlines. Additionally, you should fill the gas tank and make sure the tires are inflated properly so that it's ready to use when needed.

Lastly, you'll want to cover the windows with plastic sheets or tarps for extra protection.

Conclusion to How to Prep Your House for a Hurricane

By following these steps on how to prep your house for a hurricane, you can be better prepared for the possibility of a hurricane striking your area. Preparing ahead of time will help minimize any damage and stress in the event of a natural disaster. Stay safe, and good luck!