Hurricane Season Water Damage Prep for Katy Homes

Know the calendar

The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center. Storms can form before and after those dates. Heavy rain that floods streets and yards can also come with systems that never become named hurricanes. So treat this as a yearly habit, not a one-time project.

Before the storm: the house and yard

Do the outside first, while the weather is still calm.

• Clear gutters and downspouts. Ready.gov lists decluttering drains and gutters among its hurricane steps. Make sure downspouts push water several feet away from the slab.
• Walk the grading. Soil next to the foundation should slope away from the house. Low spots that hold water after a normal rain will hold more in a storm.
• Check yard drains and catch basins. Pull leaves and trash off any grate on your lot. Do not open or tamper with street storm drains.
• Look at the roof. Missing shingles, lifted flashing and cracked vent boots let rain into the attic. A roofer can fix these in dry weather much more easily.
• Check sump pumps if you have one. Many Katy homes do not have a sump, so this applies only if yours does. Pour water in the pit, confirm the pump starts, and check the discharge line.
• Bring in loose items. Patio furniture, planters and trash cans can become projectiles in high wind.

A note on sandbags

Sandbags can slow shallow water at a door, but they are not a seal. They work best placed in advance, stacked tightly, and used against low, slow water. They will not stop deep or fast flooding. Ask your city or county where, or whether, sandbags are offered, and do not count on finding them during an event.

Before the storm: paperwork and photos

Insurance questions are easier when you can show what you had.

1. Photograph every room. Open closets and cabinets. Capture walls, floors, ceilings and the outside of the house, including the roof and fence.
2. Make a home inventory. A simple spreadsheet or a slow video walkthrough that names each item works. Add serial numbers for big electronics and appliances.
3. Store copies off site. Keep photos, your policy and ID in cloud storage and on a phone, not only on a laptop in the house.
4. Find your policy documents. Know your insurer, policy number, deductible and claim phone number.

The flood insurance waiting period

A standard homeowners policy generally does not cover flood, meaning rising surface water. That is usually covered only by a National Flood Insurance Program policy or a private flood policy. Ready.gov notes that a flood policy typically takes up to 30 days to take effect, so the time to buy is well before a storm is in the Gulf. You can learn more at floodsmart.gov. Our guide to homeowners insurance and water damage in Texas explains how wind-driven rain, plumbing leaks and flood are usually treated differently. Always check your policy and call your insurer or agent.

Before the storm: supplies and shutoffs

Emergency kit

Ready.gov has a full supply list. The short version for a house that may lose power for several days:

• Water and shelf-stable food for each person and pet
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• A battery or hand-crank radio
• Phone chargers and a power bank
• Medications and a basic first aid kit
• Copies of documents in a waterproof bag

Know your shutoffs

Learn these now, in daylight, not in the dark with water rising.

If you evacuate, follow local officials. Shutting off the main water can limit damage from a pipe that breaks while you are away. If your area may flood, do not go back into the house to flip breakers once water is rising.

Move what matters

• Raise furniture and boxes off the floor, and move valuables to upper shelves or an upper floor.
• Put important papers, photos and keepsakes in sealed plastic bins.
• Unplug small electronics and move them up.
• Move vehicles to higher ground before streets flood. Many local roads in the Katy area can go under water during heavy rain, so do not wait for a warning to start.

During the storm

• Stay put, if officials have not told you to leave. If a mandatory evacuation applies to your zone, go early.
• Do not walk, swim or drive through floodwater. The National Weather Service says six inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult and about a foot of rushing water can carry away a car. Its message is Turn Around, Don't Drown. The road under the water may be gone.
• Move to the highest level if water enters the home. Do not climb into a closed attic unless you have a way to get out on the roof.
• Stay off electrical items and out of rooms with water near outlets.
• Never run a generator inside the house or garage, or near a window. Carbon monoxide is deadly. Place it outdoors, well away from the house.
• Watch official channels such as the National Weather Service Houston and Galveston office and your county flood control district for updates.

After the storm: re-entry and safety

Water in the house is not the only hazard.

1. Wait for the all-clear. Do not return until officials say your area is safe.
2. Watch for moving water, downed lines and weak ground. Treat any fallen power line as live.
3. Do not turn on power if the house flooded. If water reached outlets, panels or appliances, have a licensed electrician check the system first.
4. Smell for gas. If you smell it, leave and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
5. Treat floodwater as contaminated. It may carry sewage, chemicals and bacteria. Wear boots and gloves, and wash well after contact.
6. Do not use tap water for drinking if a boil water notice has been issued.
7. Check the roof and ceilings for sagging. A bulging ceiling can hold a lot of water and can fall.

After the storm: photos, insurance and wet materials

Take new photos and video before moving anything. Show the waterline, the damaged items and the rooms from several angles. Then call your insurer to start a claim, and ask what they need before you throw things away. Keep receipts for hotel stays, supplies and emergency repairs.

Wet materials need quick attention. The EPA says that if damp areas are dried within 24 to 48 hours, mold usually will not grow. Open windows if the weather allows, move air, and pull out soaked rugs and contents. Carpet pad, insulation and drywall that sat in floodwater are often removed, because they hold contamination and stay wet.

For the full first two days, follow our checklist for what to do in the first 24 to 48 hours. For how a pro handles contaminated water, see our page on flood water cleanup in Katy, and our overview of water damage restoration in Katy. Neighborhoods such as Cinco Ranch have different drainage, so ask neighbors and local officials what to expect where you live.

Choosing a pro after a storm

After a big storm, many contractors are busy and some out-of-town crews show up uninvited. Before you sign anything:

• Ask for proof of insurance and for IICRC certification.
• Get the scope of work in writing.
• Do not pay a large amount up front.
• Ask whether they will work with your insurer.

When you are ready for help drying the house, you can request help and we work to connect you with an independent local company. The pro's own schedule sets the timing, and after a widespread event it may take longer.

Sources

• National Hurricane Center, climatology and season dates: nhc.noaa.gov/climo
• Ready.gov, hurricanes: ready.gov/hurricanes
• Ready.gov, floods: ready.gov/floods
• Ready.gov, emergency supply kit: ready.gov/kit
• National Weather Service, Turn Around Don't Drown: weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown
• FloodSmart, NFIP: floodsmart.gov
• EPA, mold and moisture: epa.gov/mold
• Harris County Flood Control District: hcfcd.org