September is National Disaster Preparedness Month, a timely reminder of the importance of being proactive. Extreme weather events are reaching record highs. FEMA declared 90 major disasters in 2024–meaning the US experienced a major climate disaster every 4 days on average. As the International Institute for Environment and Development points out, that’s nearly double the annual average over the last 30 years.

It’s not surprising that this far-reaching devastation is impacting home buying trends. A 2025 survey from online insurance company Hippo Holdings Inc. found that 54% of participants listed climate risk as a top consideration when shopping for a home. Despite the uptick in prevalence, many homeowners are unprepared for extreme weather events.

Here are some steps you can take to protect your family and home.

be on alert

Sign up for alerts from the National Weather Service to receive text warnings for extreme weather. You should also make sure you have functioning detectors that are the best fit for your household. If you work outside of the home or travel often, consider smart home detectors to stay in the loop when you’re away. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are a must, and you can also get systems that alert you to gas and water leaks, freezing temps, radon, and many other risks that could cause damage to your home or health. You can even get a smart water system that automatically shuts off your water when it detects a leak and monitors water temperature to prevent freezing pipes.

have a plan

It's imperative that your household has an emergency plan in place. You should have a disaster kit ready with essentials like non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, blankets, and a first-aid kit. Keep copies of important documents (insurance papers, IDs, property deeds) in a waterproof container and/or digital form. 

You should also determine safe locations on the property for different scenarios. In the event of an evacuation, make sure your family has chosen a spot to meet outside. Household members should know the location of utility shutoffs and fire extinguishers. You should practice your emergency plan at least every six months. If you need help organizing a course of action for your family, visit the American Red Cross or Ready.gov.

check your coverage

The unfortunate reality is that we can’t protect against everything. Mother Nature is one tough cookie and homes aren’t indestructible. Take the time to double check your homeowners policy. If there are gaps in your coverage, shop around or check with your insurance provider to see if they offer endorsements for common causes of property damage, such as groundwater, sewer backups or collapses, etc. If you live in a flood zone and have a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to carry flood insurance. If you're unsure about your home's flood risk, you can search for your address on the FEMA Service Center.

install a sump backup

Sump pumps are great for directing water away from your foundation, but they require electricity to pump groundwater from the crock. If your power goes out during heavy rain and you don’t have a backup, flooding is almost inevitable. If you have a home generator, make sure it provides power to the sump pump. Other options for ensuring the system works without electricity would be to install a battery-powered or water-powered backup. Water backups require a municipal water source, so this is not an option for homes on a well. With water-powered backups, the system is automatically triggered when water rises above the primary pump’s float. It uses your municipal connection to create a suction that pulls water out of the sump pit.

trim trees regularly

Many homeowners love the mature trees on their property, but forgoing regular maintenance on trees that are close to homes or power lines can cause issues. Make sure to prune weak and overgrown branches to reduce the risk of breaking during storms. Regular pruning can also improve the tree’s health, making it stronger and more resistant to disease and weather-related stress. Healthier trees are less likely to be uprooted or suffer major damage during storms.

maintain storm drains

If there are storm drains on your property, it’s important to keep them free of debris and monitor for clogs. Storm drains channel rain water away from the home, which means you could end up with flooding if it’s not functioning properly. Inspect the grate regularly and remove leaves, sticks, snow, and ice that have settled on top. If you notice any drainage issues, contact a professional for cleaning.

Make preparedness a priority now so that you can stay calm and minimize the damage when severe storms strike.