How to Prevent Home Flooding During the Storm Season

7/13/2021 (Permalink)

tree in windy storm in Tallahassee

How to Prevent Home Flooding During the Storm Season

Home flooding isn't just annoying; it can cost you thousands of dollars. Here's how to prevent your home from flooding this storm season.

Storm season is just around the corner, and the question on many people's minds is how can I prepare for them and prevent flooding from happening. According to the Congressional Budget Office, hurricane winds and the flooding that comes with storms cause on average $54 billion in damages. 

When flooding happens, it can be extremely costly to the homeowner, not only in terms of the monetary value but also the personal belongings left behind. 

If you are looking to prevent home flooding from happening in your house, keep reading this guide to learn tips and tricks to keep you safe during the storm season. 

1. Put Away Loose Outdoor Items

If it isn't staked deep into the ground, it should be stored away to prevent the items from being picked up by the wind and causing damage to your home. This means putting away things like:

• Gardening tools (shovels, wheelbarrow, mower)
• Sports equipment (basketball hoop, goalpost)
• Patio furniture
• Plants and Flowers

Cleaning these items up will mean less potential debris flying around your home during the storm. 

2. Create a Sandbag Barrier

It's not uncommon to use sandbags to prevent excess floodwater from entering your home. Strategically placing sandbags around the house can act as flood barriers for homes that are prone to flooding. 

If your home is in a flood zone, sandbags can be especially helpful to create a barrier from rising floodwater. Try to cover areas that have an opening, like any doors or windows. 

3. Inspect for Leaks & Cracks

Before the storm hits, take a look around the perimeter of the house and look for any cracks or holes that may have occurred in the foundation or siding. Patching these holes beforehand is a smart idea to help reduce the chances of flooding from happening. 

New research is predicting homeowners will pay $20 billion in flood-related damages this year. The more you can prepare and protect your home, the less you will end up paying in damages. 

4. Cover the Windows

Windows are the most susceptible part of your home to damage. Covering them before can help protect them from things that are picked up by the wind, such as:

• Tree branches
• Roofing materials
• Signs
• And other debris

If you want peace of mind from flying debris, you can consider installing storm shutters to protect your windows from damage.

5. Have a Plan

Although you may have prepared for the storm, damage can still happen. And if it does, it's crucial to have a plan in place if things get bad. Plan on going to a friend's or family's house in the event you must evacuate. 

And if damage does occur to your home, make sure to use a storm flooding restoration service to clean up the mess and prevent further damage like mold from happening.

Home Flooding: Cleaning up the Mess

Now that the storm season is arriving, it's critical to prepare in the event a storm does occur in your area. Looking up things like "is my home in a flood zone?" and "where to go if an evacuation occurs" can help you prepare for the worst. Predicting storms is impossible, but preparing can help you if it does occur.

If you are in need of cleanup or restoration due to flooding or other storm damage, contact us today, and we can help!