How to Review Your Storm Preparation Plan
Summer storm season brings thunderstorms, high winds, hail, and in many regions, hurricanes and tornadoes. The time to prepare is before the first storm warning—not during one. A comprehensive storm preparation plan addresses both protecting your property and keeping your family safe. Take an hour to review and update your plan now, and you'll be able to act quickly and calmly when severe weather threatens.
Quick Summary
Time Required
1–2 hours
Difficulty
Easy — planning task
Cost
$50–$150 for supplies
Auditing Your Emergency Supply Kit
An emergency kit is only useful if it contains fresh supplies and everything your household actually needs. Summer is the time to audit, restock, and customize your kit for the storms your area faces.
Check water and food supplies
Store one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of three days. Replace stored water every six months. Stock non-perishable food that your family will actually eat—canned goods, protein bars, dried fruit, and peanut butter. Include a manual can opener and disposable plates and utensils. Check all expiration dates and rotate items into your regular pantry before they expire.
Verify batteries, flashlights, and communication tools
Test every flashlight and replace dead batteries. A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio is essential because cell networks often go down during severe storms. Keep a portable battery pack fully charged for your phone. Include a car charger as a backup. Headlamps are more practical than handheld flashlights when you need both hands free.
Update medications and first aid supplies
Keep a 7-day supply of all prescription medications in your kit and rotate them with your current supply to keep them fresh. Check your first aid kit for expired items—antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, and adhesive bandages all have expiration dates. Add any new medications that household members have started since your last review.
Reviewing Your Insurance Coverage
Many homeowners discover gaps in their insurance coverage only after filing a storm damage claim. A 30-minute review of your policy now can save you significant financial stress later.
Key Insurance Checkpoints
- Understand your wind and hail deductible: Many policies have a separate, higher deductible for wind and hail damage—often 1–5% of your home's insured value rather than a flat dollar amount. A $300,000 home with a 2% wind deductible means you pay the first $6,000 of wind damage out of pocket. Know this number before storm season.
- Check for flood coverage: Standard homeowner policies do not cover flood damage. If your property is in or near a flood zone, you need a separate flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer. Flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins, so you cannot buy one when a storm is already approaching.
- Document your possessions: Walk through your home and record a video of every room, opening closets, cabinets, and drawers. This visual inventory, stored in the cloud or at an off-site location, is the most effective way to support a contents claim. Note serial numbers on electronics and keep receipts for major purchases.
- Verify replacement cost coverage: Make sure your policy covers replacement cost rather than actual cash value. Replacement cost pays to replace damaged items at today's prices. Actual cash value deducts depreciation, which can leave you with a fraction of what you need to replace your belongings.
Locating and Labeling Utility Shutoff Points
In an emergency, you may need to shut off gas, electricity, or water quickly. Every adult in your household should know where these shutoffs are located and how to operate them.
Natural gas shutoff
Your gas meter is typically on an exterior wall. The shutoff valve is on the pipe leading into the meter—turn it a quarter turn with a wrench so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe to shut off the gas. Keep an adjustable wrench attached to the meter with a zip tie. Only shut off gas if you smell a leak or are told to by emergency personnel. Once gas is shut off, your utility company must turn it back on and relight pilot lights.
Electrical main breaker
Your main electrical panel is usually in the basement, garage, or a utility room. The main breaker is the large switch at the top of the panel—flipping it to the off position cuts all power to the house. If water is entering your home near electrical outlets or the breaker panel, do not touch the panel. Call your utility company to disconnect power at the meter instead.
Water main shutoff
The main water shutoff is where the supply line enters your house—usually in the basement near the water meter or near the hot water heater. Turn the valve clockwise to close. If the valve is old and stiff, do not force it—a broken shutoff valve during an emergency makes things worse. Test it now by turning it partially and verifying it moves freely. If it is stuck, have a plumber replace it before you need it.
Communication Plan and Securing Outdoor Items
When a storm hits, cell service may be unreliable and family members may be in different locations. A pre-established plan eliminates confusion and ensures everyone knows what to do and where to go.
- Designate an out-of-area contact: Choose a friend or family member who lives far enough away that they won't be affected by the same storm. All household members check in with this person if separated. Long-distance calls and texts often go through when local networks are jammed.
- Know your evacuation routes: Identify at least two routes out of your neighborhood in case one is blocked. Know where the nearest emergency shelters are located. Keep your car's gas tank at least half full during storm season. If you have pets, identify pet-friendly shelters or boarding facilities along your evacuation route.
- Create an outdoor item checklist: Walk your yard and list everything that could become a projectile in high winds: patio furniture, grills, potted plants, yard decorations, trampolines, garbage cans, and children's play equipment. Create a checklist so nothing gets forgotten when you need to secure the yard quickly before a storm.
- Identify your safe room: The safest location during a tornado or severe thunderstorm is an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows—a basement, bathroom, or closet under a stairwell. Pre-stock this area with shoes, a flashlight, blankets, and a weather radio. Practice going to this location with your family so everyone can do it quickly in the dark.
Pro Tips
- •Store documents digitally: Scan insurance policies, property deeds, identification documents, and medical records. Store them in a secure cloud service that you can access from any device. Physical documents should be in a waterproof, fireproof safe or stored at a bank safety deposit box.
- •Set up weather alerts on your phone: Enable emergency alerts in your phone settings and download a weather app that sends push notifications for your area. NOAA Weather Radio is the most reliable source for severe weather warnings because it operates independently of cell networks and internet service.
- •Photograph your home before storm season: Take dated exterior photos of your roof, siding, windows, and landscaping. These before photos are invaluable for insurance claims because they prove the pre-storm condition of your property. Store them in the cloud alongside your document scans.
- •Review your plan with all household members: A plan only works if everyone knows it. Hold a brief family meeting to review emergency contacts, shutoff locations, the safe room, and evacuation routes. Include babysitters, houseguests, and anyone who spends significant time in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be in a home emergency kit for summer storms?
A home emergency kit should include one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, non-perishable food for three days, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlights and extra batteries, a first aid kit, a 7-day supply of medications, copies of important documents in a waterproof container, cash in small bills, a manual can opener, phone chargers and a portable battery pack, basic tools, and a whistle. For summer storms specifically, add insect repellent, sunscreen, and a battery-powered fan.
Does homeowner insurance cover storm damage?
Standard homeowner insurance typically covers wind damage from storms, including damage from fallen trees and debris. However, flood damage is almost never covered by standard policies and requires separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer. If you live in a flood-prone area, flood insurance is essential because just one inch of floodwater can cause $25,000 or more in damage. Review your policy annually and update your coverage if you have made improvements to your home.
How do I shut off my gas, electricity, and water in an emergency?
For natural gas, locate the meter outside your home and use a wrench to turn the shutoff valve a quarter turn so it is perpendicular to the pipe. For electricity, find your main breaker panel and switch the main breaker to off. For water, locate the main shutoff valve where the water line enters your house, usually in the basement or near the water heater, and turn it clockwise to close. Label each shutoff point clearly and keep the required tools nearby. Only shut off gas if you smell a leak or are instructed to by authorities because your utility company must turn it back on.
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