How to Prepare Your Fort Worth Home for Severe Storms
Severe storms are a regular part of life in North Texas, and Fort Worth homeowners can face heavy rain, strong winds, hail, lightning, and flash flooding. Taking a few preventative steps before bad weather arrives can help reduce the risk of water damage and make it easier to respond if a storm affects your property.
Fort Worth can experience flooding both near waterways and in urban areas where heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems. Preparing your home before severe weather arrives can help protect your property and reduce the amount of damage that may occur.
Check Your Roof Before Storm Season
Your roof is one of your home’s most important defenses against severe weather.
Inspect your roof for:
- Missing or damaged shingles
- Loose flashing
- Cracked seals around vents
- Damaged roof edges
- Signs of previous leaks
- Sagging or damaged gutters
Small roof problems can allow rainwater into your attic, ceilings, walls, and insulation during a severe storm. Addressing these issues before heavy rain arrives can help reduce the risk of interior water damage.
Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged gutters can cause rainwater to overflow instead of draining safely away from your home.
Remove leaves, branches, dirt, and other debris so water can flow freely through the gutters and downspouts. Make sure downspouts direct water away from your foundation rather than allowing it to collect beside the home.
Look for Areas Where Water Could Enter
Walk around your property and look for potential entry points before the next major storm.
Pay particular attention to:
- Exterior doors
- Windows
- Garage doors
- Foundation cracks
- Dryer vents
- Crawl space openings
- Areas where utilities enter the home
Sealing vulnerable areas can help reduce the amount of wind-driven rain that enters your home during severe thunderstorms.
Check Drainage Around Your Foundation
The ground surrounding your home should help direct rainwater away from the foundation.
Look for low spots where water regularly collects after rainfall. Poor drainage can allow water to pool near the foundation and potentially enter crawl spaces, lower levels, or other vulnerable areas.
The City of Fort Worth notes that flash flooding is the most common type of flooding in the city and that flooding can also occur away from larger creeks and channels.
Know Your Fort Worth Flood Risk
You do not necessarily have to live next to a river or creek to experience flooding in Fort Worth.
The City of Fort Worth reports that many flooding incidents occur outside FEMA-designated floodplains. Knowing whether your home is located in a flood-prone area can help you decide whether additional drainage or flood-prevention measures may be appropriate.
If your property experiences significant water intrusion, professional flood restoration services can help remove standing water, dry affected materials, and identify hidden moisture.
Protect Important Items From Flood Damage
If your home has areas that could potentially flood, avoid storing valuable or irreplaceable belongings directly on the floor.
Consider moving items such as:
- Important documents
- Family photographs
- Electronics
- Valuable collections
- Keepsakes
- Emergency supplies
Use higher shelving or upper levels whenever possible, particularly for belongings that would be difficult or impossible to replace.
Inspect Plumbing and Appliances
Not all water damage during severe weather comes directly from rain.
Existing plumbing problems can create an additional water emergency during a storm. Periodically inspect:
- Washing machine hoses
- Dishwasher connections
- Refrigerator water lines
- Water heaters
- Under-sink plumbing
- Toilets
- Exposed pipes
Replacing worn hoses, fittings, and connections before they fail can help prevent avoidable water damage.
Prepare for Power Outages
Strong thunderstorms can cause power outages, so it is a good idea to keep basic emergency supplies available.
Your emergency kit may include:
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Portable phone chargers
- Battery-powered weather radio
- Drinking water
- Basic first-aid supplies
- Necessary medications
The National Weather Service Fort Worth/Dallas provides preparedness guidance for severe storms, flooding, lightning, tornadoes, and other North Texas weather hazards.
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
Receiving weather warnings quickly can give you more time to protect your family and property.
Monitor local weather forecasts and National Weather Service watches and warnings whenever severe weather is expected. Keep your phone charged and make sure emergency alerts are enabled.
If thunderstorms are approaching, move indoors to a sturdy building and avoid electrical and water-related hazards until the storm has passed.
Review Your Insurance Coverage
Before storm season, review your homeowners insurance policy so you understand what types of water damage may be covered.
Coverage can vary depending on whether damage is caused by a roof leak, burst pipe, sewer backup, wind-driven rain, or rising floodwater.
If you live in an area with significant flood risk, you may also want to speak with your insurance provider about separate flood insurance coverage.
Document Your Home Before a Storm
Take photos or videos of your home’s interior, exterior, major appliances, furniture, electronics, and valuable belongings before severe weather occurs.
Having a record of your property’s condition before damage happens can make it easier to document losses if you later need to file an insurance claim.
Store copies of important documents somewhere secure and accessible outside the affected area whenever possible.
What Should You Do If Your Home Floods?
If water enters your home during a severe storm, prioritize safety first.
Avoid standing water near electrical equipment, do not enter areas that appear structurally damaged, and never drive through flooded roadways.
Once it is safe, document the damage with photos and videos and contact a professional water damage restoration company as soon as possible.
Why Fast Water Damage Cleanup Matters
Water can travel underneath flooring, behind walls, into insulation, and through other building materials even when the visible flooding appears limited.
Quick water extraction and structural drying can help reduce damage to flooring, drywall, cabinetry, insulation, and other materials.
Lingering moisture can also create conditions that support mold growth. If mold develops after storm-related water damage, professional mold removal services may be needed to address affected materials and the underlying moisture problem.
Storm and Water Damage Restoration in Fort Worth
FIX Flood & Water Damage Pros provides professional water damage cleanup and restoration services throughout Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas communities.
Whether your property has been affected by heavy rain, flash flooding, a roof leak, or another storm-related water emergency, our team can help remove water, locate hidden moisture, dry affected materials, and begin the restoration process.
If severe weather causes water damage to your home or business, contact FIX Flood & Water Damage Pros as soon as it is safe to do so.