Your Home Is Vulnerable to Extreme Weather. Here’s How to Protect It.

Wildfires in Los Angeles. Tornadoes in the South and Midwest. Flooding in North Carolina. From coast to coast, a wave of extreme weather events over the past year has destroyed homes and upended lives. As the planet gets warmer, it’s essential for home buyers to consider climate vulnerability.

If you already own a home, how can you best protect it from the next weather disaster?

A good place to start is double-checking your insurance policy (hazard insurance is often required when closing on a home). You may also want to make a record of all the items in your home, as most insurance carriers require policyholders to submit comprehensive lists of everything lost in a disaster.

Here are some more tips on how to defend your home against three distinct climate threats.

Flooding

To best protect and prepare your home for a flood, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends purchasing flood insurance, which is a good idea even if you don’t live in a flood zone (and even if you’re a renter). But there are other ways to steps to take.

If a strong storm is in the forecast, go outside and make sure that sidewalks, curbs and storm drains are clear of debris and leaves. Then do some checkups around the house: Does water pool around the foundation or windows? Are the gutters or downspouts clogged? If you see trouble, call a professional.

If your basement is prone to flooding, consider installing French drains, a sump pump and an ejector pump, all of which can prevent water from breaching your basement floor. Installing a water alarm could be helpful too.