Each year, states across the U.S. must deal with blizzards, tornadoes, hurricanes, tropical cyclones, and other types of severe weather. Damaging storms have caused the majority of hazardous weather events that have cost the country billions of dollars, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Even the blustery wind and heavy rain of thunderstorms can result in significant damage to homes and cause flooding. Although hurricanes frequently occur in coastal regions, they can move inland, causing various degrees of harm to homes in their paths. Whether you live near a coastline, in close proximity to a river, or in a lakeside community, being prepared for seasonal and unpredicted storms is essential.

Even if there is no body of water near your residence, being ready for stormy weather is important. Homeowners who take precautions to protect their houses, families, and pets along with surrounding lawns and gardens prior to the onset of harsh storms get the best results. By following their example, other property owners can prevent many types of serious home damage and personal injuries.

7 Essential Ways to Make Your Home Storm-Ready

Seven proven measures from experts for ensuring that your home is well-prepared to withstand seasonal and unexpected storms include the following: 

1. Remove All Movable Objects Surrounding Your Home

To help storm-proof your home property, remove all movable objects from your lawns and gardens. These objects may include terrace or yard furniture, children’s play equipment or toys, planters, hanging baskets, spotlights, or building materials. These objects can easily become airborne during gale-force winds, causing serious damage to your home. 

If there are bicycles or motorbikes parked in your driveway, store them in your garage for safekeeping and to avoid damage to your house. All vehicles should be safely parked in your garage as well. In addition, schedule a tree-pruning date with your local arborist or tree-care technicians. By removing or pruning any loose, weak, or dead branches from trees on your property, you can help avoid home damage from falling limbs during storms.

2. Add Structural Upgrades and Protective Elements to Your House

If any garages, storage sheds, or other outbuildings on your residential property lack good ratings for withstanding high winds or heavy snow buildups, upgrade them. These structures also need to be well anchored to secure foundations to remain in place. The roofing of these structures is of special concern during periods of heavy snowfall. These roofs must be inspected and meet recommended ratings to ensure their strength and avoid any cave-ins due to snow accumulations.

In areas that frequently have serious thunderstorms, installing lightning rods can help prevent electric outages and damage to electronic devices during storms. Covering windows with precut boarding can also lend protection. Just be sure to leave the windows partially open to regulate wind pressure, and attach the boarding to a 2-by-4 secured inside each window with sturdy bolts.

3. Fortify Your Home’s Roof to Help Prevent Storm Damage

To help prevent damage during hurricanes and other major storms, schedule an inspection of your home’s roof. A good protective measure is installing truss tie-downs, or hurricane straps, to lend sturdy support to the roof and safeguard against destruction from high winds. If your roof has gables, gable bracing installation is also a good precaution against damage. Have loose shingles secured, and ensure that all cracks are repaired to avoid interior home leaks.

4. Protect the Doors of Your House Ahead of Storm Season

The best way to ensure that the doors of your home are protected against storm damage is by installing impact-resistant doors. If you are unable to obtain or install these heavy-duty doors, you can install door braces. You can also add additional locks. These measures can help prevent the doors from being severely damaged from flying debris during gale-force winds, hurricanes, or tornadoes. If your home’s doors are blown down or severely damaged during storms, the interior of your house may be flooded or incur severe damage.

5. Practice Good Storm-Readiness Measures

Experienced storm damage consultants emphasize the importance of contacting local officials and reviewing home storm-damage prevention resources ahead of yearly storm seasons. Your community’s emergency management office can be of assistance concerning effective storm-readiness measures. Check frequently for weather updates on your local media channels. This will enable you to secure your home well before any evacuation orders may be issued. 

Stay in touch throughout the year with your homeowner’s insurance company for current storm coverage information, and consider getting flood insurance. Update your policy as needed to ensure the protection of your home property in the event of severe storms in your area. Always keep an emergency kit handy that is well-supplied with non-perishable food, water, first-aid products, emergency contact data, batteries, flashlights, radios, and other helpful items. This will avoid any frantic ransacking of your home to gather these items when heavy or violent storms occur.

Actions to Avoid During a Storm 

6. Do Not Operate a Generator Indoors

Portable generators can be extremely valuable during storms since they can keep your major appliances and electronics running during an electrical outage. Yet, these generators emit carbon monoxide that may cause members of your household to experience headaches, bodily weakness, dizziness, and nausea. These fumes, if breathed over a length of time, can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. For this reason, portable generators should never be used inside the rooms of your home or in your basement or garage.

7. Refrain from Seeking Safety in Your Basement

Many people think that retreating to the basement is the safest plan during a threatening storm. Yet, an underground basement without windows or doors in a home can become a trap during heavy rainstorms. If your basement fills rapidly with water due to flood conditions, you and your family may not be able to escape before the water level rises too high.

Stay updated on the best storm-safety measures and access reports on hazardous weather conditions in your area regularly. By doing so, you can keep your entire household safe and secure during any occurrences of high, blustery winds and threatening or damaging storms.

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Isbell Rentals