Contrary to popular belief, September marks the historical peak of Atlantic hurricane season. This means hurricane season is not only upon us, but in its prime time. If you live in a hurricane zone, home prep and maintenance are likely top of mind.
To find out what matters most to homeowners in the path of a hurricane, USA TODAY talked to Dr. Ian Giammanco, the managing director of atmospheric science and lead research meteorologist for Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
With so many people living in hurricane central, one of Dr. Giammanco’s biggest concerns is the continued growth in hurricane-prone areas. “As more homes are built in these regions, the potential for insured losses continues to increase,” he says. “At the same time, many residents are new to hurricane risk and may be preparing for their first storm.”
Here, USA TODAY explains how to prepare your home for a hurricane, busting one myth about hurricanes at a time.
Myth No. 1: Hurricane season is almost over by September
Atlantic hurricane season may begin as early as June 1st, but the worst of the season is generally August through the end of October, with the peak happening around September 10th. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this time period accounts for 78% of the tropical storm days, 87% of the category 1 and 2 hurricane days and as much as 96% of the major (category 3, 4 and 5) hurricane days.
The reason? Warm ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions (such as high humidity and unstable air temperatures that change rapidly) make the perfect storm for hurricane development.
“Many people think of hurricane season as something that starts in June and is winding down by late summer. In reality, the seasonal peak is around September 10,” says Dr. Giammanco. “Historically, some of the most impactful storms occur in August, September, and October, which is the peak of the Atlantic season when ocean temperatures are at their warmest and atmospheric conditions are often favorable for hurricane development.”
Myth No. 2: Wind is the biggest danger during every hurricane
While the 100+ mile-per-hour winds may seen like the largest threat during a storm, it’s actually the water that you need to worry about.
Storm surges, flooding from heavy rain, tornadoes and rip currents pose the most significant risks to your life and home.
“Storm surge is what drives many evacuation orders, so it’s important for homeowners to know whether they live in a surge zone and understand their local evacuation plans before a storm threatens,” Dr. Giammanco says.
Myth No. 3: Only coastal homeowners need to worry
Think living in a land locked zone saves you from hurricane damage? Think again.
“Hurricane impacts extend well beyond the shoreline,” Dr. Giammanco says. “High winds, tornadoes from tropical systems, and wind-driven rain can cause significant damage hundreds of miles inland.”
Even homes that sit far away from the water can still experience high winds, flooding, heavy rain and fires. It’s not unheard of for a hurricane to travel 100 to 200 miles inland, and hurricanes have been known to span coast to coast in Florida, for example.
Moral of the story: “Every homeowner in a hurricane-prone region should take preparedness seriously, regardless of how close they live to the coast,” says Dr. Giammanco.
Myth No. 4: Newer homes are automatically protected
As of 2019, some 60.3 million people lived in hurricane prone areas, up 16% (or an additional 8.3 million people) since 2000. With such population growth comes more homes, but even newer homes can have vulnerabilities. Inspect your property for:
- Loose or improperly installed roofing materials
- Unsealed windows and exterior doors
- Garage doors that aren’t rated for high winds
- Areas where water can pool near the foundation
- Unsecured outdoor furniture and decorative features
- Trees or branches that could fall on the home
- Gaps around utility and HVAC penetrations
- Missing or damaged storm shutters and window protections
“What we know for sure is that once water gets into a home, damage starts multiplying quickly,” says Dr. Giammanco. “Whether it’s through a damaged roof, deteriorated flashing or an opening around a window, water intrusion can turn a relatively minor issue into a much larger and more expensive loss.”
Myth No. 5: A small roof problem isn’t urgent
Your roof can be a major weak spot in your home. Research from IBHS has shown that even minor roof issues can lead to substantial damage. “When the roof covering is lost and the roof deck is not sealed, significant amounts of water can enter a home very quickly,” says Dr. Giammanco.
Before hurricane season is the best time to get your roof inspected, but late is better than never. Check your roof to expose:
- Roofing flashing vulnerabilities
- Missing, cracked or loose shingles
- Signs of leaks or water intrusion
- Soft spots, sagging or structural weakness
- Damaged roof vents and pipe boots
- Loose gutters and downspouts
- Clogged drainage areas that can cause water backup
- Tree limbs or debris that could damage the roof during high winds
- Worn sealants around chimneys, skylights and roof penetrations
- Areas that may be vulnerable to wind uplift during a hurricane
An inspection can ensure your entire roof is ready to withstand hurricane season, and save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars. “One loose piece of flashing can lead to thousands of dollars in water damage,” says Dr. Giammanco.
Myth No. 6: Emergency prep can wait until a storm appears
You can never be too prepared for a hurricane. In fact, you should always be prepared for a major storm to appear, whether that prep is proactive home maintenance, reviewing evacuation plans and understanding your home’s flood risk.
“Preparedness also needs to start well before a storm appears in the forecast,” Dr. Giammanco says. “Knowing your flood and surge risk, understanding evacuation routes, and making home improvements ahead of hurricane season can make a significant difference when a storm approaches.”
At the beginning of the season and prior to any mumbling of a storm, do the following:
- Build or restock your emergency supply kit
- Stock up on nonperishable food and bottled water
- Review and update your evacuation plan
- Gather important documents and store them in a waterproof container
- Test flashlights, lanterns and backup batteries
- Make sure generators are fueled and working properly
- Refill prescription medications and pet supplies
- Know your local evacuation routes and emergency shelters
Myth No. 7: Hurricane damage is unavoidable
If a devastating hurricane blows through, your home is likely to see some damage. But for category 1, 2 and 3 hurricanes, there are certainly some ways to stop preventable storm damage in its tracks, starting with tree trimming and roof flashing inspections.
“Both are relatively simple maintenance tasks that can go a long way toward reducing storm damage.” says Dr. Giammanco. “Flashing helps keep water out at some of the roof’s most vulnerable areas, and small issues can turn into costly leaks during a hurricane. Tree trimming is also important because overhanging branches can damage roofs, windows, and siding during high winds.”
The hurricane checklist homeowners should complete this month
Before the next storm hits, complete these tasks so that your home is ready:
- Inspect roof flashing to protect against water damage.
- Trim tree limbs to prevent them from falling on your roof.
- Review evacuation plans so that you know exactly what to do if your area needs to evacuate.
- Know flood risk in your area.
- Review insurance coverage so you know what’s covered.
- Secure outdoor items or move them indoors.
- Photograph valuables so that you have verifiable proof of damage.
Frequently asked questions
When is peak hurricane season?
Peak hurricane season is mid-August through the end of October.
Is wind or flooding more dangerous during a hurricane?
While both wind and flooding will damage your home, water-related hazards pose the greatest threat to human life (and your home). It’s storm surges that are often the driver for evacuations.
Do inland homes need hurricane preparation?
Inland homes absolutely need hurricane preparation. Tropical storms can reach hundreds of miles inland, leading to flooding, high winds and power outages.
What is the most important home maintenance task before hurricane season?
Inspecting your roof is one of the most important home maintenance tasks to do before hurricane season. Even minor damage to your flashing can lead to major water damage if you are in the path of a hurricane or tropical storm.