Expert guidance for protecting homes and businesses ahead of spring thunderstorms

Spring's warmer temperatures and blooming flowers can be accompanied by powerful convective storms — including thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail and lightning — that may inflict costly damage. In 2024, insured losses from severe convective storms reached $54 billion, marking the second-highest total ever recorded in the U.S.

"Early spring is an ideal time to get your home or business ready for severe weather," said Rachael Gauthier, a meteorologist at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). "It allows time to complete projects around your property and review emergency plans before peak storm season begins."

IBHS offers free Thunderstorm Ready guides for homes and businesses, providing actionable steps to help protect properties against severe weather. This research-based, easy-to-follow guidance can reduce storm-related damage.

Start with the roof

Your roof is the first line of defense to protect your home against severe weather. The most widely used roof cover on U.S. homes, asphalt shingles, can dislodge in winds as low as 60 mph as they age. Once the roof cover is lost, rain can pour into a house through the gaps in the wood roof decking. In fact, for every inch of rain that falls on an exposed roof deck, the equivalent of nine bathtubs of water can get inside, causing significant interior damage. IBHS research shows that sealing roof deck seams can reduce water intrusion by up to 90%. If your roof is aging or it has been a while since its last inspection, now is the perfect time to have it checked to ensure it is in optimal condition, and make repairs or replace if needed, ahead of storm season.

Focus on vulnerable areas, looking for signs of aging or damage, including:

• Shingles: curled, cracked, buckling or missing shingles.
• Vents: loose seals.
• Skylights: leaking, loose or wavy flashing, cracks and/or damage to the window around the skylights.
• Chimneys: leaking around the flashing and/or missing mortar.
• Roof valleys/seams: leaking from roof valleys or seams that are under roof cover material.

To learn more about common roof covers, check out IBHS's Roofing Roadmaps and Roof 101.

FORTIFIED: Going beyond code

Drawing on decades of IBHS research, FORTIFIED is a voluntary, beyond-code construction and re-roofing method that strengthens buildings against severe weather, including powerful thunderstorms. In addition to a sealed roof deck requirement, the standard includes a provision for added protection for homes against hail. When it comes time to re-roof, consider upgrading to a FORTIFIED Roof to prevent avoidable damage and financial loss caused by severe storms.

Check your garage door's wind rating

Make sure you have a wind-rated garage door.

"Many homeowners tend to overlook the garage door, yet it is typically the largest opening to a home, making it one of the most vulnerable areas," said Gauthier. "When strong winds blow that door in and enter a garage, they can forcefully push up on the roof and out onto walls, causing a cascade of damage. A wind-rated garage door has been tested to show it can withstand winds that may be experienced in your area."

If you don't have a wind-rated garage door, or aren't sure if it is wind-rated, replacing it should be prioritized. A strong roof and a wind-rated garage door are the two most significant ways to strengthen a home against severe weather.

Take small proactive steps

The good news is that by taking affordable, preventive steps to ready your property before spring storms hit, you can help prevent costly damage later — making these actions well worth the effort.

• Check and clear gutters and downspouts: Inspect and clear your home's gutters and downspouts to ensure they're in good condition, fixed securely and free of debris to allow proper water drainage from your roof.
• Trim trees: Remove branches that hang over roofs or near windows to prevent damage during high winds. Hiring a professional arborist is recommended to ensure this job is done correctly and safely.
• Seal gaps and cracks: Prevent wind and water intrusion into your home by sealing openings on the exterior.
• Protect HVAC units: Install protective screens to shield your outdoor HVAC systems from costly hail damage.
• Secure loose objects: Ensure anything that could be picked up by high winds, like patio furniture, grills or toys, is stored securely.

Discover more useful information and resources to protect your home or business during severe weather by visiting Thunderstorm Ready – Home and Thunderstorm Ready – Business.