How to Prepare Your Home for a Hurricane in Under a Week: Quick Tips for Homeowners in Texas and Louisiana

When a hurricane is upon us, sometimes there’s little time to prepare. It's important to act quickly to protect your home, even with limited resources. While you might not have time for major repairs or updates, there are still simple, effective steps you can take in the days leading up to a storm. Here’s how to prepare your home with just a week or less before the hurricane hits.

1. Make a Plan in Minutes

While it’s best to have a plan ahead of time, you can quickly pull one together if needed:

Know Where to Go: Have your evacuation routes ready and know the location of the nearest shelters.

Emergency Contacts: Jot down important numbers, including family members, neighbors, and your insurance agent, so you’re ready to reach out if needed.

Essentials Kit: Gather necessities like water, food, medications, batteries, and flashlights. Keep these in an easily accessible spot.

2. Protect Your Windows and Doors

If a storm is approaching, securing your home quickly is essential. Here's how to protect your windows and doors:

Board Up Windows: If you don’t have storm shutters, grab some plywood and cover your windows. It’s a fast way to reduce the risk of breakage from flying debris.

Board Up Doors: For glass doors or doors with large windows, use plywood to board them up. Make sure it’s secure and covers the entire surface to prevent damage.

3. Clear the Yard and Trim Trees

Flying debris is one of the biggest threats to your home. Here’s how to quickly clear your yard:

Trim Overhanging Branches: If you can, trim tree limbs that could fall on your home or car during the storm.

Bring In Outdoor Furniture: Move or secure anything in your yard, like furniture, grills, or planters, that could become a projectile in high winds.

4. Protect Your Roof

Your roof takes the brunt of the storm, so it’s important to check for any visible damage:

Secure Loose Shingles: If you spot any loose or missing shingles, use roofing tape or tarps to secure them temporarily.

Check Roof Vents: Quickly check that vents are tightly sealed. If you have a leak-prone area, follow these steps to seal the roof vents: Clean the area around the vent, apply roofing sealant, and install a new rubber boot or flashing to ensure a watertight seal and prevent leaks.

5. Prepare the Garage and Doors

While you might not have time for major fixes, you can still protect your garage:

Reinforce the Garage Door: If your garage door isn’t reinforced for storms, place a heavy-duty beam or board across it to add support during high winds.

Seal Gaps: If there are any noticeable gaps around your garage door, use weatherstripping or tape to temporarily seal them to keep water out.

6. Prevent Flooding

Flooding is one of the most damaging aspects of a hurricane. Here’s what to do in the short amount of time you have:

Move Items Above Ground: If you have valuables or electronics near the floor, move them to higher ground to keep them safe from potential flooding.

Use Sandbags: If you have access to sandbags, place them around doors, windows, and other low-lying areas of your home to reduce water entry.

7. Review Your Insurance Coverage

While most insurance cannot offer last-minute flood insurance or policy changes, you can still prepare:

Understand Your Coverage: Confirm whether your homeowners insurance includes wind and flood damage. Contact your provider for clarification if needed.

Document Your Property: Take photos or videos of your home’s condition to support potential claims later.

8. Stay Informed

Keep up with the storm’s progress in the final days:

Monitor Weather Updates: Use weather apps or local news to track the storm’s path and intensity.

Heed Alerts: Stay tuned to local TV or radio for evacuation orders or critical updates.

Charge Devices: Ensure your phone and essential devices are fully charged in case of power outages.

Final Thoughts on Last-Minute Hurricane Preparation

Preparing for a hurricane on short notice can feel daunting, but these steps can significantly reduce damage to your home. By securing windows, clearing your yard, and reviewing your insurance, you’ll be better equipped to weather the storm. At TWFG Luarca Insurance, we’re committed to helping homeowners in Tomball, TX, and Covington, LA prepare for hurricane season with the right insurance coverage. While we cannot provide last-minute flood insurance or policy changes, we can help you plan ahead. Contact us today to review policy and ensure you’re ready for whatever lies ahead.