How to Storm-Proof Your Home This Tornado Season

Springtime in Missouri can be beautiful, but if you’ve lived here long enough, you know you need to storm-proof your home before tornado season begins. It also brings a season of tornadoes, hail, flash floods, and strong winds. The suddenness and severity of these storms can cause widespread damage in minutes. For homeowners in areas like St. Louis, Jefferson County, and beyond, being unprepared can mean thousands in property loss or worse.

If you’re a first-time homeowner, welcome to a new level of responsibility and peace of mind when you do it right. You’ve likely spent time choosing paint colors and furniture, but how to storm-proof your house? It’s one of the most critical things you can do to protect the place you call home. This guide will break everything down in plain, clear steps so you’re never caught off guard.

Whether you’re new to homeownership or someone who’s weathered more than a few tornado warnings, this guide offers practical, actionable advice to storm-proof your home before disaster strikes.

Why Storm-Proofing Matters in Missouri

Missouri experiences an average of 45+ tornadoes per year, with April through June being peak months. According to NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Missouri recorded an average of 46 tornadoes annually between 1991 and 2020. Add in high winds, saturated soil, and relentless downpours, and you have the recipe for basement floods, roof failures, shattered windows, and costly structural repairs.

But here’s the good news: Most storm-related damage is preventable with some foresight and smart preparation—even if you’ve never owned a home before. These emergency preparedness tips and tornado-specific strategies will give you peace of mind.

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Your roof is your home’s first line of defense during a storm. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the first places to fail when winds exceed 75 mph or hail pelts down like golf balls.

Missouri-Specific Tips for Roof Preparation:

🔷 Check for Loose or Missing Shingles: Even a small breach can let in water and lead to mold, rot, or attic leaks.

🔷 Upgrade to Impact-Resistant Shingles: If you’re in an area like Festus or Arnold frequently hit by hailstorms, this is a must.

🔷 Use Roofing Cement to Reinforce Vulnerable Areas: Pay extra attention to valleys and flashing.

🔷 Get a Pre-Season Roof Inspection: A professional can catch issues you may miss and it’s usually much cheaper than post-storm repairs.

Don’t feel overwhelmed if you’ve never hired a roofer before, ask neighbors or local Facebook groups for referrals. Or contact trusted local restoration experts for a pre-season assessment.

Tornado-force winds can turn your windows into entry points for rain, debris, and flying objects.

What You Can Do:

🔷 Install Storm Shutters or Plywood Panels: Ideal for homes in open areas or near fields (common in rural Missouri).

🔷 Upgrade to Impact-Resistant Glass: They don’t shatter like traditional windows.

🔷 Reinforce Garage Doors: These often collapse under high pressure. Use a garage door brace or retrofit kit.

🔷 Check Weather Stripping: Prevent moisture and wind from sneaking in during heavy storms.

If this is your first home, you don’t have to replace everything at on. Start with key entry points and make upgrades seasonally.

Many Missouri homes especially older ones experience flooding due to poor water drainage. If your gutters aren’t up to the task, spring rain can pool near your foundation or pour through your soffits.

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Key Tips:

🔷 Clean Your Gutters Twice a Season: Especially after big wind events.

🔷 Extend Downspouts: Direct water at least 6 feet away from your foundation.

🔷 Use Splash Blocks and French Drains: These are great for homes on uneven terrain (like in Hillsboro or Imperial).

🔷 Install Gutter Guards: Keep leaves, acorns, and birds out so rain can flow freely.

New homeowners: ask your inspector or handyman to walk you through the layout of your water drainage system. Understanding where water flows around your home is critical.

Loose branches and flying debris are among the most common causes of property damage during storms.

Steps to Take:

🔷 Trim Dead or Overhanging Branches: Especially those within 15 feet of your home or roof.

🔷 Stake or Remove Young Trees: Their shallow roots can’t handle soggy soil and strong wind.

🔷 Secure or Store Lawn Furniture: That fire pit or trampoline might look nice but it can become a missile during a storm.

Tip for new homeowners: Don’t be afraid to call in a tree service for a first-time consult. You’ll learn a ton about the trees on your lot and what could become a hazard.

In tornado-prone areas of Missouri, like De Soto or Bonne Terre, having a shelter is critical. Even a well-built home can be compromised under EF2-EF3 tornado conditions.

Safe room installation tips via FEMA

Ideal Shelter Locations:

🔷 Basement or Storm Cellar: Best if below ground and free of windows.

🔷 Interior Bathroom or Closet: Pick a space on the lowest floor, ideally surrounded by walls on all sides.

🔷 Underground Garage Corners: These can double as makeshift shelters if reinforced.

This is where a storm shelter installation or safe room installation can literally save lives.

Make sure it’s stocked with:

    • Flashlights & batteries
    • Weather radio (NOAA approved)
    • Water and snacks
    • Emergency first aid kit
    • Extra shoes, medications, and a phone charger

First-timer tip: Print a supply checklist and start gathering items slowly. Your emergency kit doesn’t need to be built in a day.

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Storms often bring down power lines, leaving families in the dark for hours or days.

Backup Essentials:

✚ Surge Protectors: Prevent fried appliances.

✚ Battery Packs or Generators: A portable generator can power a fridge and phone charger.

✚ LED Lanterns: Safer and longer-lasting than candles.

Local Tip: Many residents in rural Jefferson County experience extended outages having a generator is a lifesaver.

Every spring, our restoration team hears, “I thought I was covered.” Sadly, many policies exclude storm surge, basement flooding, or wind-driven rain.

What You Should Check:

✔ Do you have flood insurance? It’s not part of standard homeowner coverage.

✔ Are wind and hail damage explicitly included?

✔ How much is your deductible for storm-related claims?

✔ Have you documented your home’s current condition with photos or videos?

Keep copies of important paperwork in your emergency kit and upload them to cloud storage just in case.

When the tornado sirens go off, it’s not the time to wonder where your kids are. A written family plan ensures everyone knows what to do and where to go.

Elements to Include:

✚ Emergency contacts

✚ Out-of-state backup contact

✚ Local shelters or safe spots

✚ Pet evacuation plan

✚ Who grabs what (documents, medications, go-bags)

These emergency safety tips will ensure your family stays coordinated under pressure.

Call our restoration experts if your home is hit

After the wind dies down and the rain stops, take these steps:

Post-Storm Checklist:

✔ Check for safety: Avoid downed lines, smell for gas, listen for leaks.

✔ Document all damage: Take wide and close-up photos before moving or cleaning anything.

✔ Call your insurance: Start the claims process fast. It’s first come, first served.

✔ Get help from professionals: Reputable restoration contractors can tarp, board up, and assess the damage within hours.

Summary: Top 10 Ways to Storm-Proof Your Missouri Home

Task Why It Matters
Roof Inspection Prevents leaks and water infiltration
Window and door reinforcement Stops wind pressure changes and debris
Gutter and drainage check Protects your foundation from costly water damage
Yard cleanup Minizes flying hazards during strong winds
Safe room setup Protects your family during extreme conditions
Emergency kit creation Keeps you safe, fed, and informed
Power backup plan Helps you survive outages with comfort
Insurance review Ensures you’re not stuck with surprise costs
Family communication plan Keeps everyone safe and coordinated
Post-storm response checklist Ensures quicker recovery and insurance support

Final Thoughts: The Time to Prepare Is Now

Tornadoes and spring storms are unpredictable but your response doesn’t have to be. As a restoration expert serving Missouri families, I’ve seen how just a few simple steps can turn devastation into relief. Protecting your home means protecting your family, your memories, and your peace of mind.

Don’t wait until the storm hits. Prepare today and if the worst happens, know that First Responders Restoration will be here to help you recover swiftly, professionally, and with heart.