Preparing for Hazards

Preparing for Flood Hazards

There are some mitigation actions that both renters and homeowners can take, while other actions can only be taken by the owner of a home. Below, we have color-coded the actions that both renters and homeowners can take in blue, and the actions for homeowners in orange. The mitigation recommendations and costs in this guideline come from FEMA and other credible sources for natural hazard mitigation information. You can find references and suggestions for further advice at the end of this section.

For Homeowners and Renters

1 Buy flood insurance


2 Move your belongings to a higher place during floods


3 Use sandbags or other methods to keep water from entering your home


4 For real-time information about current hazards

For Homeowners

1 Raise your home (add or increase freeboard)


2 Raise or floodproof HVAC equipment


3 Build with flood damage resistant materials


4 Wet floodproofing


5 Install sewer backflow valves


6 Raise electrical system components like outlets and switches above potential flood waters


7 Anchor fuel tank securely


Sources



Preparing for Wind Hazards

There are some mitigation actions that both renters and homeowners can take, while other actions can only be taken by the owner of a home. Below, we have color-coded the actions that both renters and homeowners can take in blue, and the actions for homeowners in orange. The mitigation recommendations and costs in this guideline come from FEMA and other credible sources for natural hazard mitigation information. You can find references and suggestions for further advice at the end of this section.

For Homeowners and Renters

1 Get insurance for wind hazard


2 Keep doors and windows closed


3 Bring everything not attached to the ground indoors


4 Stay away from windows


5 For real-time information about current hazards

For Homeowners

1 Install shutters


2 Use impact-resistant glass products


3 Reinforce or replace garage doors


4 Get a Certified FORTIFIED Roof


5 Maintain exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS) walls


6 Properly site trees and remove potential windborne missiles


7 Secure metal siding and metal roofs


Sources



Preparing for Wildfire Hazards

There are some mitigation actions that both renters and homeowners can take, while other actions can only be taken by the owner of a home. Below, we have color-coded the actions that both renters and homeowners can take in blue, and the actions for homeowners in orange. The mitigation recommendations and costs in this guideline come from FEMA and other credible sources for natural hazard mitigation information. You can find references and suggestions for further advice at the end of this section.

For Homeowners and Renters

1 Protect propane tanks and other external fuel sources


2 Get insurance for fire hazard


3 For real-time information about current hazards

For Homeowners

1 Create defensible space around building


2 Fire-resistant landscaping


3 Replace roofing with fire-resistant materials


4 Use non-combustible materials for construction of new buildings


5 Install fire mitigation systems such as interior and exterior sprinkler systems


Sources



Preparing for Tornado Hazards

There are some mitigation actions that both renters and homeowners can take, while other actions can only be taken by the owner of a home. Below, we have color-coded the actions that both renters and homeowners can take in blue, and the actions for homeowners in orange. The mitigation recommendations and costs in this guideline come from FEMA and other credible sources for natural hazard mitigation information. You can find references and suggestions for further advice at the end of this section.

For Homeowners and Renters

1 During a storm, stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls


2 Don’t stay in manufactured structures (mobile homes)


3 For real-time information about current hazards

For Homeowners

1 Build a safe room


2 Make your building wind resistant


Sources



Preparing for Hail Hazards

There are some mitigation actions that both renters and homeowners can take, while other actions can only be taken by the owner of a home. Below, we have color-coded the actions that both renters and homeowners can take in blue, and the actions for homeowners in orange. The mitigation recommendations and costs in this guideline come from FEMA and other credible sources for natural hazard mitigation information. You can find references and suggestions for further advice at the end of this section.

Hail can cause substantial damage to roofs, landscaping, and other areas of the built environment. These techniques can minimize hail damage to new construction as well as existing buildings.

For Homeowners and Renters

1 Stay away from windows.


2 For real-time information about current hazards

For Homeowners

1 Install hail-resistant roofing and siding materials


2 Install other structural strengthening features


Sources



Preparing for Lightning Hazards

There are some mitigation actions that both renters and homeowners can take, while other actions can only be taken by the owner of a home. Below, we have color-coded the actions that both renters and homeowners can take in blue, and the actions for homeowners in orange. The mitigation recommendations and costs in this guideline come from FEMA and other credible sources for natural hazard mitigation information. You can find references and suggestions for further advice at the end of this section.

For Homeowners and Renters

1 Do not use landline phones during lightning storms


2 Sign up for your community’s storm warning system


3 Unplug appliances during lightning storms


4 For real-time information about current hazards

For Homeowners

1 Buy surge protectors, lightning rods, or a lightning protection system to protect your home, appliances, and electronic devices


2 Cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of falling on your home


Sources



Preparing for Extreme Cold Hazards

There are some mitigation actions that both renters and homeowners can take, while other actions can only be taken by the owner of a home. Below, we have color-coded the actions that both renters and homeowners can take in blue, and the actions for homeowners in orange. The mitigation recommendations and costs in this guideline come from FEMA and other credible sources for natural hazard mitigation information. You can find references and suggestions for further advice at the end of this section.

Extreme cold can range from near freezing temperatures in the southern United States to temperatures well below zero in the northern states. Extreme cold may cause water pipes to freeze and burst, which can cause flooding inside a building.

For Homeowners and Renters

1 Let a faucet drip during extreme cold weather to prevent the buildup of excessive pressure in the pipeline and avoid bursting


2 For real-time information about current hazards

For Homeowners

1 Insulate pipes


2 Locating water pipes on the inside of building insulation and keep them out of attics, crawl spaces, and vulnerable outside walls


3 Add building insulation to walls and attics


Sources