How to prepare your home for a hurricane.

1. Know the peak times and find out if you’re at risk.

Hurricanes can occur in areas near the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Even if you don’t live right on the coast, you could still be at risk. Hurricanes can impact areas that are more than 100 miles inland. 

Here’s when certain regions enter hurricane season: 

• Eastern Pacific Hurricane Season: May 15-November 30
• Atlantic Hurricane Season: June 1-November 30
• Central Pacific Hurricane Season: June 1-November 30 

Hurricanes tend to be the most active in September. However, the sooner you create a plan, the better.

2. Stock up on supplies and get your emergency storm kit ready.

One way to prepare your home for a hurricane is to have an emergency kit on hand. This kit should include personal items and useful products such as:

• Soap
• First aid kit
• Medicine
• Can opener
• Backup battery for your cell phone 
• Maps
• Important documents and paperwork
• Cash
• Sleeping bag and blanket
• Radio
• Flashlights
• Matches

You should also get hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and enough clean masks for your entire family. And don’t forget to stock up on water, non-perishable food and canned food items that can easily be stored. Peanut butter, dried fruit, dry cereal, granola and protein bars are also good food items to have on hand.

3. Read your homeowners insurance policy.

Will your homeowners insurance cover any damage caused by strong winds? What about flood damage? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, it might be time to pull up your homeowners insurance policy.

Read it carefully and be sure to contact your insurance company if you have questions. If you decide that you want additional coverage, explore your options for buying separate policies. 

Related: How to negotiate a roof replacement with your insurance company.

4. Get a backup generator.

A strong hurricane can cause power outages. And if your lights go out, you’ll be grateful to have a generator as a backup power source. When operating a portable backup generator, keep these tips in mind:

• Don’t run the generator inside. Portable generators produce carbon monoxide (CO). The CDC advises that you place the generator more than 20 feet away from your home’s windows and doors. Also, make sure your CO detectors are working properly.
• Get it serviced before hurricane season. Hire a pro to inspect your generator for leaks and issues. If repairs are needed, get them done ASAP.
• Make sure you have enough fuel. But check with the municipality and fire codes to find out if there’s a limit on how much you’re allowed to store. Keep the fuel away from the heat, and store it in a container located in a dry area that’s well ventilated.

Thinking about getting a stationary or standby generator instead? Remember that it may take a few weeks to install it, and it's best to hire a professional for this project.

Related: How much do generators cost?

5. Get your roof inspected by a pro.

Inspect your roof for any loose, damaged or missing tiles and shingles. You should also find out if there are any holes and cracks. This step is imperative since water can seep through holes and weak spots in your roof. 

Instead of inspecting the roof yourself, it’s better to hire a professional roofer. Depending on your roof’s condition, the roofer may suggest replacing your shingles and other roofing materials like the underlayment. They may also recommend reinforcing your roof with hurricane straps to help it withstand the wind.

Related: 5 signs that your roof is in need of repair ASAP.

6. Unclog your gutters and downspouts.

Remove dirt and debris from your home’s gutters before hurricane season. During heavy rains, obstructions in your gutters and downspouts could cause flooding.

If you’ve never cleaned your gutters before or if you’re afraid of heights (hey, no judgement), contact a gutter cleaning service. This is an important home maintenance task that needs to be done properly.

Tip: When you hire a pro to clean your gutters, find out if they can also inspect them for damage. Also, ask the pro if they can secure any loose gutters. 

Related: A complete guide to gutter cleaning.

7. Cut branches and tree limbs.

Strong hurricane winds can easily cause tree branches to fall and damage your home’s exterior and roof. If you have any trees with diseased or dying branches near your home, get rid of them before the storm.

But don’t start hacking away just yet. Tree trimming and pruning is an art that requires an expert’s skills to ensure your tree grows healthy for years to come. Plus, this job can be dangerous for inexperienced homeowners. So skip DIY and hire a professional tree trimmer. 

Related: How to negotiate tree removal (and save money).

8. Remove outdoor furniture and clear your yard.

Go outside and inspect your front yard and backyard for potential obstructions. For example, strong winds can blow around potted plants, patio furniture, garden swings, lawn equipment, grills, bicycles, propane tanks and trash cans — all of which could severely damage your home and nearby structures.

Clear your yard and find a secure place indoors to store those items. Don't forget to prepare your pool for a hurricane, as well.

9. Hurricane-proof your windows and doors.

Consider investing in impact-resistant doors and windows with heavy-duty frames. When hurricane-proofing your doors, you might also want to install flashing (check your manufacturer’s guidelines first), as well as overlapping house wrap or building paper to protect the flashing. Add weather stripping on your exterior doors to keep water out.

Secure your windows with permanent storm shutters (sometimes called “hurricane shutters”) to prevent the rain from entering your home. When shopping for hurricane shutters, read the reviews and ratings. Conduct a bit of research to find out how they performed during testing to ensure they’re high-quality.

Finally, you can board up your windows and doors for protection. The Red Cross recommends using pre-cut marine plywood that fits your doors and windows.

10. Waterproof your basement.

Flooding can cause severe water damage and mold in your basement. Here are some ways you can help prevent it:

• Make sure your gutters and downspouts are diverting water away from your home’s foundation.
• Seal all cracks and small holes that could allow water to seep into your basement’s interior.
• Install a sump pump, which removes water from your basement when it begins to flood. If you already have a sump pump, make sure it’s working properly.

Find a basement waterproofing service or professional who can help you identify solutions for your basement and drainage system.

Related: What do I do if my house floods? How to prepare and repair.

11. Protect your electrical system and appliances.

A hurricane can cause power outages and surges, which can wreak havoc on your appliances and electronics. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to avoid potential damage. 

For example, unplug small appliances if you can. If you need to access your appliances during a hurricane or storm, consider purchasing a surge protector that can protect them during electricity spikes and surges.

Also, make sure you know how to turn off your home’s electricity. If flooding occurs or if the power lines are down, the CDC recommends switching off your power. Remember to also turn off the electricity if you have to leave your home.

Because of the danger and risks involved, don’t attempt any electrical repairs or installations on your own — hire an electrician instead. 

12. Reinforce your garage doors.

If hurricane winds enter your home via your garage doors, it could cause serious structural problems and flooding. Consult a garage door professional or technician to find out how you can reinforce your doors.

For example, you may want to:

• Install pressure-rated garage doors.
• Install an impact-resistant covering for your existing garage door.
• Add girts on the back of the door.
• Buy a garage door reinforcement kit. 

What should you do after a hurricane damages your home?

If you have to evacuate your home during a hurricane, you’ll probably be worried about its condition. Try to remain calm and only return home when it’s safe to. 

When it’s time to go back home, have a professional inspect your home before you enter it, especially if you notice downed power lines, cracks in the foundation and other red flags. There may be electrical, structural or other serious problems lurking around your home. Depending on how severe the hurricane was, your home may have:

• Flooding and wet floors
• Mold and mildew
• Pests, including mice, rats and even snakes 
• Sagging floors or ceiling 
• Damaged gas lines

Once it’s safe to enter your home again, take photos of the damage and keep notes. Start scheduling repairs, and use your notes to decide if you should take more precautions before the next hurricane season.

For instance, you may decide to invest in a metal roof, stronger exterior doors, hurricane shutters and a more complete home waterproofing system. Do what you can to help prevent hurricane damage and costly repairs in the future.

Hire Thumbtack pros to get your home hurricane-ready.

Whether you need help with tree trimming, generator installation, roof repairs or gutter cleaning, Thumbtack can help you find the right pro for the job. Start searching for the best home services near you today so you’re prepared this hurricane season. 

For more tips on what to do before, during and after a hurricane, visit the CDC website.

Additional references:

• Building America Solution Center
• CSU Tropical Weather & Climate Research
• FEMA
• Nerdwallet
• Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response
• Ready.gov

A note about project costs included or linked in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.