Is there anything more nerve-wracking than those weather alerts popping up on your phone warning about heavy rain? I’ve been through my fair share of downpours that left our neighborhood looking like a series of little islands, and let me tell you – being prepared makes all the difference.
I remember last spring when we got hit with those crazy storms. My neighbor Brown hadn’t cleaned his gutters (despite my friendly reminders), and his basement ended up with about two inches of water. Meanwhile, our house stayed dry because we’d done our rain prep homework.
Heavy rain doesn’t have to mean home damage if you know what to do beforehand. I put together this super practical checklist that’s saved our home more than once, and I’m so excited to share it with you!
Checklist for Preparing Your Home for Heavy Rain: Overview
Let’s walk through everything you need to do before those rain clouds roll in. Don’t worry – most of these tasks take just a few minutes, but they can save you thousands of dollars in repairs.
Check Weather Alerts and Local Flood Risk
First things first – stay in the loop with what’s actually happening.
I keep my weather app notifications turned on and actually pay attention to them (unlike the dozens of other app notifications I ignore daily).
Your local news channels usually have the most accurate forecasts for your specific area. They know the quirky weather patterns that national forecasts might miss.
If you live in a flood-prone area, check your county’s flood risk maps. Our county has this super helpful online tool that shows which neighborhoods have flooded in the past.
Knowledge is power, people!
Inspect and Clear Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged gutters are like inviting water to party inside your walls. Not fun.
I climb up and check our gutters twice a year – once in fall after the leaves drop and again in spring. It’s kinda gross but weirdly satisfying to scoop out all that gunk.
Make sure your downspouts extend at least 5 feet away from your foundation. We added those plastic downspout extenders to ours after noticing water pooling near our foundation.
And don’t forget to check for loose gutter sections. Water can slip right through those gaps and damage your siding or foundation.
Examine Your Roof and Repair Damage
Your roof is your home’s umbrella, and umbrellas with holes aren’t very effective.
Look for missing, cracked, or curled shingles. We had a windstorm last year that ripped off a few shingles, and replacing them before the rainy season was so worth it.
If your current system looks worn out, now’s a good time to upgrade. Companies like GutterPro LLC offer solutions like leaf guards, fascia wrap, and full replacement systems that help manage water year-round.
Their work focuses on clean installation and better protection without bulky attachments. For homeowners looking to upgrade, GutterPro seamless gutters offer a long-lasting and low-maintenance option that handles heavy rainfall without clogs or leaks. The smooth design helps keep water moving and reduces the chance of overflow during a storm.
Check your chimney flashing and roof vents too. Those spots are prime real estate for leaks.
If you’re not comfortable climbing on your roof (totally fair), grab some binoculars and do a ground inspection, or call a pro. Some roofing companies offer free inspections.
Seal Any Gaps or Cracks
Water is sneaky and can find its way through the tiniest openings.
Walk around your home’s exterior and look for cracks in the foundation, gaps around windows, or spots where pipes enter your house.
Fill small cracks with waterproof sealant – I keep a tube in our garage just for this purpose.
For bigger issues, you might need to call in the pros. We had a hairline crack in our foundation that I ignored for months until our handyman friend Mark pointed out it could lead to water damage.
Secure or Store Outdoor Furniture and Other Items
Flying patio furniture is not a good look.
If heavy winds are expected along with rain, bring lighter items inside. We learned this lesson after our plastic chairs decided to take a swim in our neighbor’s yard during a storm.
For heavier furniture, secure it with bungee cords or furniture anchors. I found these cool anchors online that screw into our deck and keep our patio table from becoming a sailboat.
Don’t forget about flowerpots, garden tools, and toys. Anything that can blow around can become a hazard.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
Sometimes despite our best efforts, power outages happen during storms.
Keep flashlights with fresh batteries in easy-to-find places. We have one in each bedroom and two in the kitchen.
Stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water, and necessary medications.
Charge your phones and any backup power banks before the storm hits. Nothing worse than being stuck in the dark with a dead phone.
A battery-powered radio isn’t a bad idea either, especially if you live in an area with spotty cell service.
Turn Off Outdoor Power and Secure Loose Items
Water and electricity make terrible roommates.
Unplug outdoor electronics and turn off power to things like pool pumps or hot tubs if heavy rain is coming.
Cover outdoor outlets with waterproof covers. We added these after a scary incident where rain got into an outlet and tripped our breaker.
Look around your yard for anything that might clog drainage areas if washed away, like mulch piles or yard waste.
Check Your Insurance Coverage
Not the most exciting task, but potentially the most important one.
Pull out your homeowner’s insurance policy and make sure you know what’s covered for water damage. Many policies don’t automatically include flood coverage.
Take photos of valuable items and important areas of your home before storm season. Having a “before” record is super helpful if you need to file a claim.
Save your insurance agent’s contact info in your phone so you’re not scrambling to find it if you need to report damage.
Prepare a Home Emergency Kit
This is different from your power outage kit – it’s specifically for dealing with water.
Keep towels, mops, and buckets handy. We store ours in a plastic bin in the garage so they’re easy to grab.
A wet/dry vacuum is amazing for smaller water issues. We bought one after our washing machine leak, and it’s been worth every penny.
Plastic tarps can be lifesavers for covering furniture or blocking leaky windows in a pinch.
Check Your Sump Pump
If you have a basement, your sump pump is your best friend during heavy rain.
Test it by pouring water into the sump pit – the pump should kick on automatically. We do this check every spring before rainy season.
Consider a battery backup for your sump pump. The time your power goes out during a storm is exactly when you need your pump working most.
Clean any debris from the pit and make sure the discharge pipe is clear and flowing away from your foundation.
Create a Family Communication and Evacuation Plan
Having a plan prevents panic if things get serious.
Decide on a meeting spot both inside and outside your home in case you get separated.
Know your evacuation routes, especially if you live in a flood-prone area. We drove our evacuation route on a sunny day just to familiarize ourselves.
Have a contact person outside your immediate area that everyone can check in with if local communications go down.
Make sure kids know what to do if they’re home alone when severe weather hits.
Cover Outdoor Items with Waterproof Tarps or Covers
Some things are too big to bring inside but still need protection.
Cover grills, lawn mowers, and woodpiles with heavy-duty tarps. We found these amazing tarps with grommets that make them super easy to secure.
Make sure covers are tightly secured so they don’t blow away and potentially clog drainage areas.
For things like firewood, elevate them off the ground on pallets before covering to prevent moisture wicking up from below.
Wrapping Up Your Rain Prep
Getting your home ready for heavy rain isn’t complicated, but it does require a bit of planning and some regular maintenance.
I’ve found that spending a weekend day twice a year on these tasks saves us so much stress when those storm warnings pop up.
The peace of mind knowing you’ve done what you can to protect your biggest investment? Totally worth it.
My final tip? Keep this checklist handy – maybe printed out in your home maintenance binder or saved on your phone. When the weather folks start talking about inches of rain instead of fractions, you’ll be ready.
Stay dry, friends! And remember – even if some water does find its way in, having caught it early makes cleanup so much easier.
What’s your rain prep routine? Any special tricks I missed? I’d love to hear them!
