When disaster strikes and you’ve only got hours—sometimes minutes—to leave, your priority is safety. But for those crucial moments before you lock the door and drive off, there are several fast, purposeful steps you can take to reduce the chances of catastrophic property damage. These are insights based on countless post-storm inspections where the smallest measures often made the biggest difference.
1. Power Down at the Panel
Turning off the main breaker and unplugging appliances can prevent surges or fires once power is restored. Many post-disaster house fires start from unseen electrical faults caused by storm damage.
2. Secure Outdoor Weak Points
Remove or anchor anything that could go airborne—grills, patio furniture, trash bins, even garden décor. Not just to protect your home, but to avoid your belongings damaging others’ property.
3. Disable Water at the Main Valve
Shutting off your water reduces the chance of burst pipes and flood damage, especially if utility services are interrupted. Drain residual water from faucets to ease internal pressure.
4. Elevate, Elevate, Elevate
Place electronics, documents, and valuables on upper shelves, or store them in waterproof containers. Even a few inches off the floor can be the difference between salvageable and destroyed.
5. Seal Vulnerable Openings
Use heavy-duty plastic sheeting and painter’s tape to reinforce and seal windows and doors from the inside—especially if you don’t have storm shutters. Pay attention to sliding doors and garage seals, which are frequently the weakest links.
6. Document Everything, Quickly
Snap photos of every room, including closets and storage areas. This 5-minute task provides crucial evidence if you need to file a claim, especially for contents coverage.
7. Disconnect Garage Door Openers
If time allows, disengage the automatic opener and manually secure the door with sliding bolts or impact-resistant locks. These are often the first failure points in high-wind events.
8. Safeguard Entry Points
Reinforce front and rear doors with deadbolts and slide locks, and insert a wooden dowel or metal rod in the track of sliding doors. Many break-ins after disasters are crimes of opportunity.
9. Leave a Visible Contact Note Inside
Tape a weatherproof note inside a front-facing window with your contact info and evacuation details. First responders and neighbors may use it to provide help or relay important updates.
Taking an hour to do these things may feel impossible when tension is high—but every one of them could prevent thousands of dollars in damage or save you weeks of post-disaster headaches. When time is tight, these steps are worth squeezing in.
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