General hurricane preparedness guides cover evacuation routes, supply kits, and shelter plans. What they rarely address is the specific water damage prevention work that restoration professionals know separates homes that sustain minor storm damage from homes that require full remediation. This checklist is built from the patterns 247 Restoration Specialists has observed across thousands of Houston-area storm damage jobs—the decisions homeowners made before the storm that determined the outcome after it.

Before Hurricane Season: Annual Preparation (May–June)

Roof Inspection

The most common path for storm water to enter a Houston home is through the roof. Schedule a licensed roofing inspection each spring to identify damaged or missing shingles, deteriorated flashing, compromised ridge cap, and any areas of standing water from insufficient slope. Document the roof condition with photographs. A roof that is marginal but passable in calm conditions will fail under sustained tropical wind and rain. Repair before hurricane season—not after a storm creates urgency and a scarcity of available contractors.

Gutters and Downspouts

Clean gutters in May to ensure they are clear before storm season. Verify that downspouts discharge water at least 4 feet from the foundation perimeter. A gutter that overflows in heavy rain sends water directly against the foundation and into the crawlspace or slab edge—exactly where it causes maximum damage. Add downspout extensions if discharge points are too close to the structure.

Know Your Flood Zone and Have a Flood Policy

Verify your FEMA flood zone at msc.fema.gov. If you are in Zone AE or any Special Flood Hazard Area, confirm your NFIP or private flood policy is current and your coverage limits are adequate. The NFIP maximum structure coverage is $250,000—if your home is worth more, verify whether an excess policy is available and appropriate. Flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period; you cannot purchase it when a storm is already in the Gulf.

48–72 Hours Before a Storm: Action Checklist

• Clear outdoor furniture, toys, and planters. Wind-borne debris causes roof and window damage that becomes water intrusion points.
• Move vehicles to higher ground or a parking structure. Flood-damaged vehicles are a separate insurance claim (comprehensive auto coverage) with its own complications.
• Photograph your home’s interior and contents. Walk every room. Open every closet. This pre-storm documentation is your evidence baseline for any insurance claim.
• Move valuables and irreplaceables above potential flood level. Important documents, medications, electronics, jewelry—put them in waterproof containers or move to a higher floor or off-site location.
• Shut off electricity if flooding is anticipated. Flooded electrical panels and submerged outlets create electrocution risk and electrical fires. If significant flooding is expected, shut off the main electrical breaker before water reaches the panel.
• Sandbags at entry points if flooding is likely. Sandbags deflect surface water away from doors and garage openings. They are not a flood barrier for significant events but protect against street runoff in moderate events.
• Note the location of your main water shutoff. If a pipe fails during the storm when you cannot safely access a plumber, knowing where the shutoff is limits secondary damage.

Immediately After the Storm: Before You Clean Up

Document before you touch anything. Walk the entire property and document all damage with photographs and video before beginning any cleanup or temporary repair. This documentation is required for insurance claims and cannot be recreated after the fact.

Temporary repairs to prevent further damage. You are required under your insurance policy to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage. Tarping a damaged roof, boarding a broken window, and extracting standing water are all appropriate immediate actions. Document everything you do—the emergency mitigation costs are typically covered by your claim.

Do not use flood-contaminated water or water-damaged appliances until they have been inspected. Storm floodwater is Category 3 (black water) that contaminates everything it contacts.

247 Restoration Specialists responds to storm damage throughout the Houston metro before, during, and after hurricane season. 24/7 emergency response. IICRC-certified. Know our number before storm season starts.