When a hurricane forms in late October or November, it brings a unique set of challenges. Complacency has set in, the weather is cooler, and you’re likely thinking more about the holidays than “hunkering down.”
But a late-season storm can be just as ferocious as a mid-August one, with one added threat: clogged gutters. The trees have been dropping their leaves for weeks, creating the perfect recipe for a catastrophic gutter failure.
When you have 48 hours to prepare, your focus must be on speed and impact. Here is your roof-and-gutter emergency checklist.
Your 48-Hour Roof & Gutter Prep Plan
Forget a full-scale inspection; this is about triage.
1. Gutters: The #1 Priority (The First 24 Hours)
This is the single most important thing you can do. If your gutters are full of leaves, the hurricane’s torrential rain has nowhere to go but over the edge, against your foundation, and under your eaves.
- Get Them Clean, NOW: Safely get on a ladder (or call an insured professional) and clear your gutters. Don’t just scoop the leaves; you must flush the downspouts.
- Check Downspout Exits: Make sure water is flowing freely from the end of your downspout, at least 5-10 feet away from your foundation.
- Why it’s Critical: Clogged gutters in a hurricane will cause massive water infiltration, foundation damage, and basement flooding. Cleaning them is a high-leverage task that prevents tens of thousands in damage.
2. Secure Loose Items (The Next 12 Hours)
Now, look at your roof and yard. Anything that isn’t bolted down can become a projectile aimed at your roof, windows, or your neighbor’s house.
- Yard: Patio furniture, grills, trampolines, potted plants, garbage cans. Get them into a garage or shed.
- Roof: Look for any loose flashing, unsecured satellite dishes, or decorative items.
- Debris: If you have piles of branches from recent yard work, get them to the curb for pickup or secure them.
3. Triage Visible Roof Damage (The Last 12 Hours)
You don’t have time for a roofer. Do a quick visual inspection from the ground with binoculars.
- Look For: Missing shingles, lifted shingles, or any visible patches from old repairs.
- The Tarp vs. Wrap Question: If you have a known area of minor damage, you may be tempted to throw up a tarp. Be cautious. A poorly installed tarp will be ripped off and become a dangerous projectile. It often causes more damage than it prevents.
- The Professional Call: If you see significant damage, your best bet is to call a professional emergency service like StormWrappers now. Get on their post-storm priority list. You won’t get an install before the storm, but you’ll be first in line after it passes, which is critical for preventing mold.
4. Document “Before” Photos
Use your phone. Walk around your property and take 50-100 photos of your roof, gutters, siding, and windows. Get close-ups. If you do sustain damage, this “before” documentation is an invaluable tool for your insurance claim.
When a storm is 48 hours out, you can’t rebuild your roof, but you can control the two biggest threats: projectiles and water. Secure your yard, and clean your gutters. It’s the most effective preparation you can do in a short amount of time.
[Stay safe, and have the StormWrappers number ready for post-storm emergency enclosures.]
