Extreme weather can cause extensive damage to your home. According to a Realtor.com study, nearly half of all homes in the U.S. are at risk of severe or extreme damage from environmental threats, including flooding and heavy winds. Hurricanes and severe winter storms are two of the biggest causes.
Preparing your home or business for a storm can help prevent damage. This guide will help explain how to prepare for a blizzard, hurricane, or other intense storm so your family can return to normal as soon as possible.
What Damage Do Hurricanes Cause?
Hurricanes primarily cause damage through high wind and water. The ripple effects of strong winds and flooding can be devastating for the communities that are hit directly, and extend outwards to nearby towns and cities as the hurricane moves. What effects can wind and water cause?
- High winds: Powerful wind gusts can tear shingles off your roof, break windows with flying debris, and cause trees and powerlines to fall. Some hurricanes also produce damaging tornadoes.
- Water: Heavy rains and storm surges (when rising seawater is pushed inland) can cause flooding in immediate coastal areas and further inland. Flooding can damage or destroy homes, boats, vehicles, and more.
What damage can winter storms cause?
Blizzards, nor’easters, ice storms, and other major winter storms can also damage homes and communities. According to the National Weather Service, “Heavy snow can immobilize a region and paralyze a city, stranding commuters, closing airports, stopping the flow of supplies, and disrupting emergency and medical services.” Other issues that winter storms can cause include:
- Loss of power
- Roof collapse
- Dangerous cold and wind chill
- Strong winds can damage buildings
- Avalanches in mountainous areas
- Inability to travel, including in medical emergencies
How To Prepare Your Home for a Storm
Preparation is key to protecting your home from storm damage. These tips can help you prepare for an impending storm.
Note: While CORT works directly with insurance companies to respond to weather-related disasters, we’re not experts! Always consult your local insurance provider, medical professional, plumber, electrician, or other expert for definitive advice.
1. Secure outdoor furniture and items.
One of the first steps before a storm is to secure your outdoor patio furniture. Lightweight furniture can easily be picked up by strong winds and may break under the weight of heavy snow or ice.
If possible, store furniture, yard toys, lawnmowers, sports equipment, and decorations in a garage or basement. If you don’t have access to a shed, basement, or garage, consider temporarily storing these items in a guest bedroom, spare bathroom, or even your home office to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles in heavy winds.
2. Board up windows for hurricanes.
In the event of a hurricane, consider boarding up your windows. This prevents flying debris and high winds from breaking your windows, which can be costly and dangerous for your family. The window and glass experts at Glass Doctor recommend keeping these supplies on hand if you live in a hurricane-prone area to save time preparing and avoid a rush on supplies due to an impending storm.
3. Insulate your windows before a winter storm.
Winter storms can cause extended power outages, meaning you may not have access to heat in your home. Consider insulating your windows before the storm to help keep as much heat inside as possible. Home Depot recommends using caulking, weather stripping, or window film to prevent drafts and keep your space warmer. Heavy window treatments can also help keep warmth in and the cold out!
4. Trim trees and remove dead branches.
Many types of storms, including blizzards and hurricanes, bring damaging strong winds. These winds can cause tree branches to break, sometimes damaging your home. Before an approaching storm, it can be helpful to trim dead branches from the trees in your yard to prevent them from breaking under wind gusts. If you’re unsure how to trim a tree safely, contact your local arborist or landscaping company for professional help.
5. Have a backup power source.
During storm recovery, power outages can last for hours, days, or even weeks. A backup power source can ensure you can power the items you need. Consider your lifestyle and what you may need electricity for. Small power banks can be inexpensive and effective if you want to keep your phone charged. If you’re interested in powering your refrigerator or medical equipment, you may need a generator for your apartment or home.
6. Create a home emergency kit.
Severe storms can create delays for emergency response teams due to power outages, large numbers of calls, and blocked roads. Consider putting together a home emergency kit for your entire family. FEMA recommends having a family emergency supply kit and a medical first aid kit with basic supplies in case you can’t leave your home for several days. Your hurricane supply list will depend on your family, but Ready.gov has several pre-built emergency kit checklists to reference.
7. Take photos for insurance purposes.
Before the storm, consider taking photos of your home and vehicles. Having these “before” photos can be helpful if you have to make insurance claims for storm-related damages to your property. Additionally, State Farm recommends taking pictures as soon as it’s safe following the storm and before any cleanup. This allows you to capture the most accurate representation of damage.
8. Protect your pipes before a winter storm.
Freezing weather can cause your pipes to freeze or burst. Protecting them ahead of time can help prevent flooding and loss of water in your home. The American Red Cross recommends:
- Draining outdoor water lines, including hoses and sprinkler systems
- Installing products made specifically for protecting pipes from cold weather
- Opening cabinets inside to allow warmth to circulate around pipes
- Letting taps drip to prevent freezing
Always consult your local plumber before modifying your home’s plumbing.
Turn to CORT for Your Furniture Rental Needs
Preparing for a storm is essential, but sometimes damage is inevitable. When disaster strikes, CORT works with insurance companies to help you get back to normal faster.
Instead of settling for a fully furnished rental where you ‘get what you get,’ CORT offers a tailored solution so you can ‘get what you need.’ From a king-sized bed to an extra bedroom turned home office, CORT’s well-crafted, stylish furnishings are curated to fit your family’s needs and can be delivered within 48 hours. Plus, with CORT Clean Certified furniture, you can trust every piece has been sanitized for your peace of mind.
With CORT, you’ll stretch your insurance budget further, enjoy high-quality furnishings built to last, and experience top-notch service. Get back to living with CORT’s furniture rental solutions for the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen — everything you need to feel at home while your house is being repaired.
