You can take steps to protect your property and increase your odds of avoiding damage should a storm land on your doorstep. They include: Get hurricane clips. These are steel connectors that you attach to your roof and make it harder for a hurricane to rip the roof off of your home. You probably should get a professional to do this unless you really feel confident in your DIY skills. Trim your trees. It'll look nice, but it'll also make them more resistant to wind. “Keeping yards free of debris, such as branches, and trimming trees that overhang the home are a good start,” Hixson says. Reinforce the garage door. A garage door professional can reinforce the door so it’s less likely you'll have flooding in your garage and less likely that the wind will rip off the garage door. Clean out your gutters. Clogged rain gutters and downspouts can lead to severe leaking and water damage on your roof and basement. Make sure your sump pump is in working order. If you have any doubts -- maybe it's had a few problems in recent years, or it's old -- hire a plumber and buy a new one. A faulty sump pump can lead to a flooded basement. Keep your roof in good shape. The roof of a home is vulnerable to damage in a storm, so regular upkeep and monitoring is important, Hixson says. “Most companies will not insure a home with a roof that is more than 20 years old,” she says. “So, if you start seeing lifting or separating shingles or granular loss, it’s time for a new roof.” You also might want to stock up on canned goods, bottled water and other similar items that can help you ride out an extended period without power.