Preparing Your Spring, Texas Home for Storm Season

Storm season along the Texas Gulf Coast runs from June 1 through November 30, and even well inland, Spring feels it. Heavy rain, high wind, hail, and the occasional long power outage are part of living here. A weekend of preparation in the spring pays for itself many times over when a storm actually arrives.

Start With the Roof and the Water

Water is what damages most homes, and it usually gets in from above or from the ground. Walk your roof line from the yard and look for lifted or missing shingles, and check the attic after a hard rain for any sign of moisture. Clean the gutters and make sure downspouts carry water well away from the foundation rather than dumping it at the base of the wall.

Then look at the ground. The soil in this part of Texas expands and contracts, so grading matters. The ground should slope away from the house, and low spots near the foundation should be filled. If your neighborhood drains toward a storm inlet, keep that path clear of debris and landscaping.

Trees and the Yard

• Trim branches that overhang the roof or touch the house. In high wind, a limb becomes a projectile.
• Remove dead trees and hollow limbs before the season starts, not during it.
• Secure or store anything that can become airborne: patio furniture, grills, planters, trampolines, and trash cans.
• Clear the area around your HVAC unit so it drains and breathes properly.

Insurance Is a Separate Checklist

Standard homeowners policies typically cover wind and hail but exclude flooding, and flood coverage is a separate policy that usually has a waiting period before it takes effect. That waiting period is the reason to review coverage now rather than the week a storm forms. Take a few minutes to read what your deductible actually is for wind and hail claims — many policies set a separate, percentage-based deductible for those perils, and it is often higher than homeowners expect.

While you are at it, document your home. Walk through each room with your phone and record a video, open closets and drawers, and photograph receipts for anything valuable. Store that record somewhere in the cloud, not only on a device that stays in the house.

Before a Storm Is Named

• Charge phones, power banks, and any medical equipment batteries.
• Stock water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, and a battery or hand-crank radio.
• Fill your vehicles and have some cash on hand; card readers and gas pumps can go down with the power.
• Freeze water bottles to help keep the refrigerator cold if the power fails.
• Know where you would go if an evacuation were ordered, and keep a bag packed for it.

After the Storm

Once it passes, photograph any damage before you clean it up, and do not throw away damaged property until your adjuster has seen it or you have documented it thoroughly. Report the claim promptly, and be cautious around standing water, downed lines, and anything electrical that has been wet.

Storm preparation is mostly ordinary maintenance done on a schedule. If you would like a referral for a local roofer to inspect yours before the season, or a reminder to review your policy, reach out.