When a high category hurricane that includes gale force winds and torrential rains is predicted in your area, you’ll want to prepare for structural damage and possible flooding. What follows are critical steps you can take to minimize lasting damage to your home, and hopefully help prevent damage from occurring.

What to do

• Protect your home and belongings

• Create digital copies of important documents

• Prepare an emergency kit

• Plan and monitor your possible evacuation

• Keep important contact info handy

Immediate steps you can take to protect your home and belongings

Collect your important documents and store them in a waterproof container. Things like birth certificates, house deeds, passports, and other files you may already keep in file cabinets can be quickly tossed into plastic bins. You’ll also want to put things like family photo albums and other special mementos into waterproof containers and move them to a safe location.

If you live in a multi-story building, move furniture and electronics to upper floors, and if you have vehicles, move them out of places like underground parking to higher street locations. In single-story homes, use empty 5-gallon plastic buckets to lift your furniture above the floor and also to protect the legs of tables from getting damaged by water intrusion. If you have any outdoor furniture, put it inside, as chairs or BBQs can become flying projectiles.

Many cities offer free sandbags, and in coastal areas, they may direct you to nearby beaches to fill them. Use filled sandbags to block and divert water intrusion from your home’s doors. Another important step is to clean/clear your gutters and downspouts to divert water away from your home’s foundation. 

Covering your windows in plywood can prevent a great deal of storm damage. Use ⅝ to ¾ inch thick exterior-grade plywood that overlaps your windows by at least 4 inches, and make sure to properly attach it to your home using lag screws or barrel bolts. 

Take photos and video of your home’s condition before storms arrive, to serve as a baseline for possible future insurance claims and assistance applications.

Have digital copies of your most important documents

It’s good to have digital copies of important documents on your phone or computer so you can speed up recovery after a disaster. Log into your insurance company website and download PDF copies of your policy and any summaries of coverage. 

Make sure you have digital access to your medical records. Take digital photos or scans of your property deeds, bank records, and birth certificates. You can also take digital photos of high-value items and try to capture any serial numbers, then place them in an appropriate photo album. Back up all digital records and photos in cloud-based storage, so that you’ll still have access in the event that your phone or computer is damaged.

Prepare an emergency kit

In the days leading up to a possible evacuation, assemble an emergency “go bag” that includes things like:

• A 3-day supply of drinking water

• Non-perishable food

• Flashlights and batteries

• A battery-powered radio

• Basic first aid kit and essential medications

• Phone charger cables and a battery bank

• Changes of clothing and toiletries

• Pet supplies, diaper bag, etc. (as applicable to your family)

Plan and monitor your possible evacuation

You’ll want to monitor your local news and weather and be prepared to follow any evacuation orders to shelters immediately. The FEMA mobile app is a great way to get instant weather alerts.

Part of your preparation should include: knowing a safe evacuation route, having a full tank of gas in your vehicle, and planning where you’ll go and stay. If evacuation orders come, be sure to keep your friends and family informed and updated so they know where you are and where you’re headed.

Important contact information to keep handy

In the wake of disaster, keep phone numbers in your contacts for your insurance agent and mortgage holder (or landlord, if you’re renting). FEMA’s number is (800) 621-FEMA and they can offer immediate help over the phone or via DisasterAssistance.gov. Temporary housing assistance in the aftermath of a flood is often covered by FEMA or your homeowner’s insurance.