Hurricane season will be here soon. Pre-season forecasts suggest that activity this year will be slightly above average. Will you be ready? How you prepare now will determine how much water damage you experience should a storm land. Here’s what you can do to ready you’re home for the 2022 hurricane season.

Prepare for Flooding & Possible Water Damage

Hurricanes bring lots of water damage due to heavy rains, storm surges, tidal waters, and overflowing rivers and creeks. All of this water overruns community water management systems and leads to flooding. Unfortunately, flooding from hurricanes and tropical storms is costly. According to FEMA, one inch of water can cost an average of $25,000 in damage. Make that one foot of water and the cost rises to $72,000.

Long before a storm arrives, flooding streets, yards, and homes, you can make preparations to keep the damage – and the cost – to a minimum.

  • Add waterproofing – Waterproof crawl spaces, basements, or any areas that are at or below ground level. Waterproofing these areas includes fixing foundation cracks, adding drainage systems, and installing crawl space encapsulation.
  • Install a Sump Pump – This is an automated device that pumps water out of areas it should be. With a sump pump, you can rid low-lying areas of water quickly, reducing water damage.
  • Buy sandbags – When a storm receives a name and is heading toward your area, it will be too late to find sandbags to protect entryways. Purchase and store enough sandbags to create a perimeter around your door.

Prepare for Rain

Even smaller storms that don’t cause flooding can have heavy rains and water damage. There are many things you can do to prepare your property for an influx of heavy rain.

  • Clean Gutters: Clean out your gutters including the downspouts and drains. Rain Fact: A foot of rain equals 12,000+ gallons of water falling on your roof.
  • Clean Away Yard Debris: Yard debris can cause drainage clogs during a hurricane. Clear away leaves and sticks. You’ll also want to assess trees for limbs that could come down during a storm. Removing them now will reduce the likelihood of roof damage due to flying limbs.
  • Purchase Tarps:

 

Tarps can help you manage hurricane rains. If something does happen where you have rainwater coming inside, a tarp can help you to manage or mitigate the worst of the water damage.

Prepare for High Winds

The vast Florida coastline makes the state quite susceptible to hurricane damage from high winds. Remember Irma and Michael? Here are some things you can do to prepare for storms such as these.

  • Purchase Plywood: Buy and store enough plywood to cover the windows of your home.
  • Install Storm Shutters: If you want a more permanent option, you can choose to install storm shutters for your windows.
  • Retrofit Your Garage Door: Garage doors are vulnerable to high winds, and a failed garage door often leads to a failed roof. If you don’t have a wind-load garage door, you can purchase one now or retrofit your current door with a hurricane shutter or bracing.
  • Add Roof Straps and Ties: Roof straps make your roof more stable. The best ones anchor your walls, foundation, and rood together.

Prepare for Outages

Even after the storm has passed by, households are often left without power. Here are two things to consider.

  • Purchase a Generator: A generator can run the most important items in your home. After a storm, this would include refrigeration and water management systems.
  • Install a Backup Battery for Your Sump Pump: There is nothing worse than having a sump pump to remove water but no power to run the device. Make sure you have a backup battery designed to work in wet conditions.

Preparing now will help you limit hurricane damage to your home. However, damage may still occur. If you suffer hurricane damage, give Aftermath Adjusters & Consulting a call. We have helped hundreds of homeowners file hurricane claims quickly and easily.