Hurricane Water Damage Checklist

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center. For South Florida homes and condos, that means months of possible wind-driven rain, roof leaks and flooding. This checklist focuses on one thing: keeping water out of the building where possible and limiting the damage when it gets in.

For evacuation orders, shelters and storm updates, follow local emergency officials. Ready.gov notes that local emergency managers give instructions based on the specific threat to your community.

Before the storm: water damage checklist

Most of these tasks take minutes and are easier to do days ahead than hours before landfall.

1. Clear drains and gutters. Ready.gov recommends de-cluttering drains and gutters before a hurricane. Blocked gutters overflow against walls and windows, and clogged patio, balcony and yard drains let water pool against doors.
2. Check window and door seals. Look for cracked caulk, gaps around frames and worn weatherstripping on sliding glass doors. Clear the tracks of sliding doors so their weep holes can drain.
3. Check balcony and patio drains in condos. A clogged balcony drain can push water under a sliding door during heavy rain.
4. Clear the AC condensate line. Storm season is also peak AC season. A drain line that is already partly clogged is one more source of water you do not need during an outage or after power returns.
5. Move valuables off the floor. Lift electronics, documents, photos and rugs onto shelves, beds or upper floors. Pull furniture away from windows and exterior sliding doors, where wind-driven rain tends to enter first.
6. Photograph the property. Take date-stamped photos or a video of each room, ceilings, windows, the roof if visible, and the exterior. Pictures of the home’s condition before the storm make it much easier to show what changed afterward.
7. Know your shutoffs. Find the main water valve, the electrical panel and, if you have one, the gas valve. Make sure the valve handles turn and that everyone in the household knows where they are.
8. Keep a few basic supplies on hand. Towels, plastic sheeting, a flashlight, a wet/dry vacuum and heavy-duty trash bags help with small intrusions once it is safe to deal with them.

After the storm: safety first

Water damage can wait a short time. Injuries cannot be undone.

• Downed power lines. The CDC advises watching for fallen power lines, including ones hanging overhead, and staying clear of them. Ready.gov warns that underground or downed power lines can electrically charge floodwater.
• Flood water. According to the CDC, floodwater can contain germs, dangerous chemicals, human and animal waste and other contaminants. Avoid wading in it, and wear boots and gloves if you have to be around it.
• Wet electrical equipment. Ready.gov advises not touching electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off power at the main breaker only if it is safe to reach.
• Damaged buildings. The CDC says not to enter a damaged building until local authorities determine it is safe, and to leave if you hear shifting or unusual noises.
• Generators and carbon monoxide. The CDC says to use generators only outside, more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents, and never inside a home or garage, even with doors and windows open. Use a battery-powered or battery backup CO detector. Common symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion.

After the storm: checking for water intrusion

Once it is safe, walk the home slowly, room by room. Water often shows up away from where it entered.

• Ceilings. Look for stains, sagging, bubbling paint or drips, especially near exterior walls, below the roof and under AC units. Stay out from under any ceiling that sags.
• Windows. Check sills, the drywall below each window, and the floor directly beneath. Swollen trim or damp carpet at the wall line is a common sign.
• Sliding glass doors. Wind-driven rain frequently pushes water under and around sliders. Check the flooring several feet into the room and the baseboards on each side.
• AC closets. Air handler closets can take on water from roof leaks and from backed-up condensate lines. Check the floor, the base of the unit and the ceiling below if the closet is upstairs.
• Exterior walls and baseboards. Press on baseboards and look for swelling or separation from the wall.
• Condos. Check shared walls and ceilings, and report any water to building management. Water from a neighboring unit or a common area may be the source.

Document the damage

Photograph everything before cleanup starts: wide shots of each room, close-ups of stains and wet materials, and any exterior damage such as missing shingles or broken windows. Ready.gov recommends documenting property damage with photographs. A short video walk-through helps too.

Start drying quickly

The EPA says that when wet or damp materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours, mold will not grow in most cases. After a storm that window is hard to meet, especially with the power out and the air thick with humidity.

What you can do safely:

• Remove standing water from small, clean intrusions with towels, mops or a wet/dry vacuum.
• Get wet rugs, cushions and belongings out of the room.
• Lift furniture off wet floors.
• Run the AC once power returns to pull moisture from the air.
• Cover openings, such as a broken window, with plastic sheeting to stop more water getting in.

Do not close up wet walls or lay anything over wet flooring, and avoid contact with rising flood water altogether.

When to call for flood cleanup

Some situations go beyond towels and fans. Call for professional help when:

• Flood water from outside entered the home. Contaminated water needs flood cleanup, including removal of porous materials it touched.
• Standing water covers a large area or is more than a thin film. Emergency water removal uses extractors that pull water out of carpet, pad and hard floors.
• Water has soaked into drywall, under flooring or into cabinets.
• Ceilings are stained, sagging or dripping.
• The home sat closed up and wet for days, or you notice a musty smell.

For the first hours after water gets inside for any reason, see the what to do after water damage checklist, and if drying was delayed, the guide to mold after water damage explains what to watch for.