Before a Hurricane: Getting the House's Water Ready

When the forecast cone settles over Seminole County, the plumbing jobs worth doing are short and mostly about knowing where things are. The National Hurricane Center counts an average Atlantic season (1991–2020) as 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.

How much water should you store before a hurricane?

Set aside at least one gallon per person per day. Ready.gov says to store that much "for several days," for both drinking and sanitation, and notes that needs can double in very hot weather, which is most of storm season here. FEMA's booklet Food and Water in an Emergency goes further and suggests a two-week supply if you can manage it. For a household of four, two weeks at a gallon a day comes to 56 gallons.

Water you bottle yourself should be swapped out every six months, per both Ready.gov and FEMA. Store-bought bottled water is the exception.

NOAA National Hurricane Center climatology, 1991–2020 averages

Named storms14 storms

Hurricanes7 storms

Major hurricanes3 storms

Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center

Where is your main water shutoff, and does everyone know?

Find it now, while the weather is calm. FEMA's advice is simple: locate the main valve, turn it to the closed position, and make sure everyone in the family knows how to do it ahead of time. If a line breaks while you're sheltering elsewhere, a closed valve keeps the damage small.

On a city or county system, the meter usually sits in a box in the grass near the street or sidewalk, as Seminole County's leak page describes it. Your shutoff is the valve on the house side of that meter. The meter itself belongs to the utility, so leave it alone. Try your valve once early in the season. If it's stiff or won't close fully, have a licensed plumber look at it; our notes on hiring a plumber show how to check a license.

Can the water heater tank be used as emergency water?

Yes. FEMA lists the water in "your hot-water tank, pipes, and ice cubes" as safe to use. FEMA's steps for getting it out start with turning off the heater's power or gas, then closing the intake valve, opening the drain at the bottom and opening a hot-water faucet.

On an electric heater, the power step means switching off its breaker and nothing more; then let the water cool before you drain any, because a fresh tank can scald. Gas heaters are different: FEMA warns that once the gas is turned off, a professional will be needed to turn it back on, and the gas control is pro work on this site. If you have a gas heater, don't plan to drain it yourself; ask a licensed plumber before the season how they would handle it, and lean on stored jugs instead. Whatever type you have, never block the temperature and pressure relief valve or its discharge pipe. Our water heater notes cover the tank in more detail.

What about strapping the water heater?

You may see strapping on storm checklists. The only federal mention we found is on Ready.gov's earthquakes page, which says to secure heavy items such as water heaters. FEMA's food-and-water booklet doesn't mention it for hurricanes. If you want the tank anchored, follow your heater maker's instructions and ask the county building department what local code expects.

Which water in the house is safe, and which isn't?

FEMA draws a clear line between water you can use and water you shouldn't drink.

Should you turn off the gas meter before a storm?

No, according to Peoples Gas. Its storm safety page asks customers to leave the natural gas meter on, which helps keep pressure in the lines and can stop floodwater from getting in.

The exception is any time you smell gas. Peoples Gas says to leave immediately and not to try to find or stop the leak. Don't flip switches, use a phone or open the garage door inside. Get everyone out, call 911 from outside, then call the gas company, and wait for its all-clear before going back in.

What else belongs on a plumbing storm checklist?

A few items that are easy to forget:

• Septic owners: EPA says the only way to prevent a sewage backup when the water table is high is to use the system less. More in flooded wells and septic.
• Well owners: no power means no pump, so store enough water for the whole outage. Hooking a generator to the house wiring is a job for a licensed electrician. See private wells for testing after the storm.
• Generators: read generators and carbon monoxide before the storm, not after.

What should you check first once the storm passes?

Your nose and your meter. If you smell gas anywhere, leave and call from outside. Then look for any notice from your water utility and follow our boil-water notice steps if one is in effect.

To spot a broken line, turn off every tap and appliance and watch the meter's flow indicator. If it moves with everything off, Seminole County's leak page says you have a leak; close your house shutoff, and if the indicator still moves, the leak is outdoors between the meter and the valve. Our high water bill page explains the meter test step by step.

Readers often ask

Should I close the main water valve if we evacuate?

FEMA presents closing the main valve as the way to protect your home's water if lines break. Closing it before you leave means a broken pipe can't keep running while nobody is home. Make sure you know how to reopen it when you get back.

Can we drink pool water if we run out?

No. FEMA lists pools and spas, along with toilet tanks, radiators and waterbeds, as water not to drink. Plan your stored supply so it doesn't come to that.

How often should I replace water I bottled myself?

Every six months, according to Ready.gov and FEMA. Commercially bottled water doesn't fall under that rule.

Will I need someone to relight my gas water heater after draining it?

FEMA says that if the gas is turned off, a professional will be needed to turn it back on. That is why this page suggests leaving a gas heater's controls alone and relying on stored water jugs instead.

Where this came from

1. NOAA National Hurricane Center — Tropical Cyclone Climatology — average season counts
2. Ready.gov — Water — one gallon per person per day, six-month replacement
3. FEMA and American Red Cross — Food and Water in an Emergency (PDF) — two-week supply, main valve, water heater tank, water not to drink
4. Ready.gov — Earthquakes — securing water heaters (earthquake advice)
5. Peoples Gas — Storm Safety — leave the gas meter on
6. Peoples Gas — If You Smell Gas — leave first, no sparks, call 911
7. Peoples Gas — Counties and Communities Served (PDF) — local service areas
8. Seminole County Water Conservation — Leaks (archived) — meter box and leak test
9. EPA — Septic Systems: What to Do after the Flood — using the system less when the water table is high