48-Hour Checklist Prevents Storm Damage

Storm season doesn’t wait for a convenient time, and the difference between minor wear and major repair often comes down to what happens in the two days before the sky opens up. Home restoration expert Richard Di Biase, who works with Restoration 1 in Orlando, Florida, says most storm damage can be prevented with basic risk mitigation and routine maintenance.

The 48 hours before a severe storm is the time to walk the property, identify vulnerabilities, and secure loose items before wind and debris turn a manageable issue into a costly loss.

Water and Drainage: The First Line of Defense

Water moves in predictable paths, and the goal is to keep those paths clear. Leaves, branches, and debris should be cleared from gutters, downspouts, driveway drains, swales, and drainage ditches. He warns that clogged gutters can overflow against roof edges, exterior walls, windows, and foundations. Poor grading that directs water toward the home can lead to pooling near low door thresholds, garage openings, window wells, and cracks.

Each of those spots can become an entry point for water during a severe storm. Water intrusion isn’t always immediately visible. It can show up later as ceiling stains, soft drywall, swelling, damaged flooring, a musty odor, or microbial growth. After the storm passes, checking for these warning signs matters just as much as the prep work.

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For homes with basements or crawlspaces, the drainage system needs particular attention. A blocked drain line, clogged exterior drain, or debris-filled gutter system can contribute to basement flooding during heavy rain. The expert recommends making sure all downspouts discharge away from the foundation, clearing window wells and exterior drains, and testing sump pumps before the storm arrives. A battery backup for the sump pump is worth installing in case the power goes out during heavy rainfall.

There’s a certain rhythm to storm prep that repeats itself across different regions and different types of severe weather.

The specifics change.

Hurricane straps in Florida, snow load considerations in the Northeast—but the underlying principle stays consistent: the work done when the sky is clear is what keeps the house dry when it isn’t.

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Securing the Home’s Exterior and Essential Items

The building envelope is the next area of focus. Di Biase says to look for loose or missing shingles, cracked roof tiles, deteriorated soffits, damaged fascia, loose gutters, and gaps around windows and doors.

Hairline stucco cracks, failed caulking, or aging sealant can appear minor in dry weather, but wind-driven rain can force water through those small openings and into wall cavities. Repairs should happen before the storm arrives, not during it.

Entry points need shielding where possible. Boarding up windows with wood or installing approved storm shutters early is safer than doing it when conditions become dangerous. Wind protection is just as important as water management. Anything left outside can become windborne debris capable of damaging windows, vehicles, roofing, screens, siding, or a neighboring property.

Patio furniture, grills, umbrellas, planters, tools, pool accessories, toys, garbage cans, and construction materials should be brought inside or securely stored. Inside the home, important documents, electronics, sentimental items, and valuables should be moved away from floors, particularly in garages, basements, and first-floor rooms. Placing these items higher up on tables or shelves, or storing them in waterproof sealed plastic bins, adds a layer of protection.

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Photographing and videoing the home’s existing condition before the storm is also critical. Di Biase stresses documenting rooflines, exterior walls, windows, doors, gutters, fencing, pool areas, landscaping, vehicles, and important belongings inside. That record becomes invaluable if an insurance claim becomes necessary.

Basic household readiness rounds out the preparation. Phones, portable battery packs, flashlights, and radios should be charged, with extra batteries on hand. Vehicles should have enough fuel. Drinking water, nonperishable food, medications, first aid supplies, pet supplies, and sanitation essentials should be stocked. Generators should be checked on a monthly basis and always operated outdoors, well away from doors, windows, and vents—never inside a home, garage, or enclosed space.

Insurance: The Last Step Before the Storm

Reviewing the property insurance policy is the final step. Di Biase advises homeowners not to simply buy the cheapest policy needed to close on a property and assume it will be sufficient after a serious loss. He recommends working with a reputable insurance provider or agent, reviewing the complete policy annually, and understanding all aspects—from coverage provided to exclusions, deductibles, caps, and endorsements that may limit a claim.

Homeowners should ask clear questions about roof coverage, wind and hurricane deductibles, water intrusion, sewer or drain backup, mold-related limitations, personal property limits, code upgrade coverage, and additional living expenses if the home becomes uninhabitable. Keeping copies of the declarations page, complete policy, endorsements, home inventory, receipts, and pre-storm photographs in a secure digital location ensures those documents survive whatever the storm brings.