Storm Readiness Checklist

Whether it’s a thunderstorm, monsoon surge, windstorm, or major weather system, storms hit fast and hard. Power fails, trees fall, roofs leak, and roads close before you realize what’s coming. This checklist gets your home and supplies ready before the weather turns.

For related preparedness steps, see Power Outage Readiness Checklist, Water Damage Prevention Checklist, and Home Emergency Kit Checklist.

1. Essential Supplies

[ ] Three days of drinking water for every person and pet.
[ ] At least three days of shelf-stable food.
[ ] Flashlights and extra batteries—don’t rely on candles.
[ ] Fully charged power banks for phones.

2. Weatherproofing and Exterior Prep

[ ] Clear gutters and downspouts so water drains properly.
[ ] Secure outdoor furniture, grills, umbrellas, and loose items.
[ ] Trim weak branches that may break in high winds.
[ ] Check roof for loose shingles or tiles.

3. Doors, Windows, and Openings

[ ] Close and lock all windows—latches help resist uplift pressure.
[ ] Install or close storm shutters if available.
[ ] Use sandbags or barriers if flooding is a risk.
[ ] Move valuables off the floor in flood-prone areas.

4. Power and Electrical Safety

[ ] Charge all devices before the storm arrives.
[ ] Unplug electronics you don’t need running.
[ ] Know how to shut off main breakers in case of electrical damage.
[ ] Check generators and fuel—use outdoors only.

5. Water and Plumbing

[ ] Know how to shut off the main water valve.
[ ] Inspect sump pump (if present) and test operation.
[ ] Store extra water in bathtubs or containers if advised locally.
[ ] Use backflow plugs in basement drains if flooding is common.

6. Vehicle and Travel Prep

[ ] Fill your gas tank—stations may lose power.
[ ] Park away from trees and power lines.
[ ] Have a basic car emergency kit loaded.
[ ] Avoid travel during peak storm conditions.

7. Family Safety and Communication

[ ] Share emergency numbers and contacts with the household.
[ ] Pick a safe interior room away from windows.
[ ] Establish a meetup point if you get separated.
[ ] Keep pets indoors and secured.

8. Important Documents and Valuables

[ ] Store critical documents in a waterproof, fire-safe container.
[ ] Take photos or videos of your home for possible insurance claims.
[ ] Back up digital files to cloud storage or external drives.
[ ] Move high-value items to upper floors if flooding is expected.

9. After the Storm

[ ] Avoid downed power lines—assume they are live.
[ ] Inspect your home for leaks, damaged siding, or roof issues.
[ ] Document any damage before cleaning up.
[ ] Check on neighbors, especially elderly or vulnerable individuals.

10. Tie Into Ongoing Preparedness

[ ] Refresh storm supplies every season.
[ ] Update your Yearly Home Safety Plan with lessons learned from each event.
[ ] Integrate storm prep into your Home Safety Annual Review.
[ ] Replace worn-out gear before the next storm cycle.

Storms don’t give warnings tailored to your schedule. Preparing early protects your home, keeps you comfortable through outages, and puts you ahead of everyone scrambling at the last minute.