PROTECT YOUR 

PROPERTY FROM 

STORM SURGE 
Owning a house is one of the most important investments most people make. Rent 

is a large expense for many households. We work hard to provide a home and a 

future for ourselves and our loved ones. If you live near the coast, where storm 

surge is possible, take the time to protect yourself, your family and your belongings.

Storm surge is the most dangerous and destructive part of coastal flooding. 

It can turn a peaceful waterfront into a rushing wall of water that floods homes, 

erodes beaches and damages roadways.

While you can’t prevent a storm surge, you can minimize damage to keep your home 

and those who live there safe. 

First, determine the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for your home. The BFE is how 

high floodwater is likely to rise during a 1%-annual-chance event. BFEs are used 

to manage floodplains in your community. The regulations about BFEs could affect 

your home. To find your BFE, you can look up your address on the National Flood 

Hazard Layer. If you need help accessing or understanding your BFE, contact FEMA’s 

Flood Mapping and Insurance eXchange. You can send an email to FEMA-FMIX@

fema.dhs.gov or call 877 FEMA MAP (877-336-2627). Your local floodplain manager 

can help you find this information.

Here’s how you can help protect your home from a storm surge.
OUTSIDE YOUR HOME

ELEVATE 

YOUR HOME

While it is an investment, elevating your 

home is one of the most effective ways 

to mitigate storm surge effects. Elevation 

may also lower your flood insurance 

premium. When a home is properly 

elevated, the lowest floor should be 

above the BFE. Areas below the BFE can 

be used for parking, storage, or access 

to the house. Work with your local 

officials and licensed professionals 

on the right design options. 

Elevating your home 

may reduce your flood 

insurance premium.

REINFORCE 

YOUR GARAGE 

DOOR

Conventional garage doors are not 

meant to withstand the force of water 

or high winds from hurricanes and 

strong storms. Purchase a reinforced 

garage door or install bracing kits to 

help keep water out of your home.

PROTECT 

WINDOWS AND 

DOORS

Doors and windows are common 

points of failure during a storm. When 

they break open, wind, water, and 

debris can seriously damage your 

house and belongings. Storm shutters 

and high-impact glass can prevent 

glass from breaking.

Check with state and 

local building codes 

before implementing any 

mitigation. Many coastal 

areas vulnerable to 

storm surge have strict 

requirements for what is 

allowed below the BFE. 

These restrictions will 

impact which mitigation 

options are possible. For 

example, garages may 

not be allowed in the 

highest-risk areas.

SECURE 

MANUFACTURED 

HOMES

Do you have a manufactured home and want flood insurance 

from the National Flood Insurance Program? If so, your home 

must be affixed to a permanent foundation, so that the 

wheels and axles do not support its weight. This will help 

the home resist flotation, collapse, or side-to-side movement. 

Your local floodplain manager can explain the requirements. 

A professional engineer or architect can make sure the 

anchoring system is designed and installed correctly.

SECURE OBJECTS 

OUTSIDE THE 

HOME

Lawn furniture, potted plants, and even children’s toys can 

pose risks when carried off by storm surges and wind. 

Secure outdoor objects or bring them inside, to keep them 

from causing damage.

TRIM OR REMOVE 

DEAD, DAMAGED, 

OR ROTTING TREES 

AND LIMBS

The high winds that often come with a storm surge can cause 

trees and branches to fall. Make sure to trim or remove any 

damaged trees regularly. Ideally, your home should be at least 

a full-grown tree’s height away from the base of any tree.

SEAL CRACKS 

AND GAPS

Prevent wind or water from coming in your home. Make sure 

the caulking around windows and doors is complete and in 

good shape. Use a waterproof sealant to fill any holes or gaps 

around pipes or wires that enter your building.

ANCHOR ANY FUEL 

TANKS AND EXTERNAL 

UTILITY LINKS

Do you have an exterior fuel tank, or are any of your utilities 

outside? Anchor or tie them down according to the ground anchor 

instructions. This will reduce their risk of overturning and sliding.
INSIDE YOUR HOME

HAVE A 

PLAN

Create an emergency plan for your family and practice it regularly. 

When a storm is approaching, evacuate and move your car to higher 

ground. According to the National Weather Service, just two feet 

of water can move a vehicle. Visit Ready.gov/plan to learn more.

GET FLOOD 

INSURANCE

Most homeowners insurance 

policies don’t cover flood 

damage. Protect your investment 

by purchasing flood insurance 

for your home and its contents. 

Do so even if you do not live in 

a high-risk flood zone.

For more information on purchasing 

flood insurance through the 

National Flood Insurance Program, 

visit FloodSmart.gov or contact 

your agent to 

get coverage.

PREPARE OR 

UPDATE A LIST OF

 YOUR HOME’S 

CONTENTS

Document your belongings. This will give you peace of mind 

and help with the insurance process if you need to file a claim. 

Consider documenting your home’s contents visually. You can 

either take photos of high-value items or walk through your home 

and videotape each room’s belongings.

STORE 

VALUABLES

Store valuables and important documents above the BFE 

(preferably on an upper floor). Place them in waterproof or 

water-resistant containers. Also, make copies and store them 

online or offsite.

ELEVATE 

APPLIANCES AND 

UTILITIES ABOVE 

THE BFE

Keep appliances and utilities 

such as water heaters, 

washers, dryers, and 

electric panels on higher 

floors. It can prevent them 

from getting damaged or 

ruined by flood water.

Talk to your floodplain 

manager about how high 

to elevate your utilities. Many coastal 

communities have codes that require 

utilities to be elevated 12 inches or 

more above the BFE, called freeboard. 

USE FLOODRESISTANT 

MATERIALS

KNOW YOUR 

PROPERTY AND 

NEIGHBORHOOD

Flood-resistant insulation, drywall, and floor coverings like tile 

will help minimize damage and are easier to clean and sanitize.

If you are moving near a large lake or the ocean, talk with 

neighbors. Find out about any issues they’ve had, or any 

mitigation measures they have taken. Take the time to look 

up flood information. You can find flood maps for coastal areas 

on the National Flood Hazard Layer.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

FEMA, Homebuilder’s Guide to Coastal Construction

FEMA, Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting

FEMA, Recommended Residential Construction for Coastal Areas

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, Storm Surge Overview

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER, Storm Surge Inundation Map

REMEMBER: 

Some of these tips may work better than others. Tailor 

any mitigation measures to meet your property’s needs.

Always consult professionals, such as your insurance agent, architects, 

engineers, contractors, or other experts in design and construction, 

before making changes to your home. Your local planning and zoning 

office or building department is a good place to start for advice.