Hurricane Preparedness Tips

… Are you prepared? … 

As Tropical Storm Elsa churns in the Caribbean, there’s a good chance we could be feeling the effects as early as next week. 

Flash flooding in the mountains is no joke, and neither is a torrential downpour.  Part of your preparedness will likely concern your house. While most people know to bring objects indoors, they may overlook rainwater management. 

If you’re not sure what you need to prepare for severe hurricane related weather, here’s a quick checklist:

Hurricane and Tropical Storm preparedness. 

Here is my quick checklist of what to do today, before the storm hits, to protect your house from water damage.

1. Check gutters, downspouts, and drains, making certain they are clear and free of obstruction. 
2. Confirm that the base of the downspout is fitted into the drain it feeds into.
3. Consider your rainwater management system. Now is the time to bypass the rain barrel. Rain barrels cannot empty at a rate fast enough to keep up with the expected rainfall. The last thing you want in these conditions is a huge water dump at the base of your house.
4. Outside drains need to be unplugged.
5. Check your sump pump and make certain it’s ready to go. If you don’t have one, prepare to use items such as towels and sandbags to stop water from entering your basement or home. 
6. Observe past intrusion spots in the house where water may have previously been an issue. You’ll want to take a look at these places both before and after the storm to ensure those areas have not become problematic.
7. Rake leaves and branches out of drainage swales, ditches, and troughs outside.

Stay Healthy and Safe, Rick

To learn more about what you should have ready in the event of a storm. You’ll see it’s similar to what is needed to prepare for a blizzard, once you make adjustments for conditions.