Preparing Your Pool for a Hurricane

Preparing Your Pool for a Hurricane
Preparing for the 2021 Florida Hurricane Season during the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 23, 2021
Preparing Your Pool for a Hurricane
Tropical Depressions and Tropical Storm Damage During Hurricane Season in Orlando
August 2, 2021
Show all
Preparing Your Pool for a Hurricane

Preparing Your Pool for a HurricaneBecause we enjoy warm weather throughout the year, Florida residents can enjoy their pools during most months. While the pools require ongoing maintenance and come with specific responsibilities to ensure safety, the hours of enjoyment they provide generally outweigh the disadvantages.

However, when hurricanes and other tropical storms are headed toward Florida, property owners with pools face additional challenges. In addition to having to prepare their homes for the storm, they also have to prepare and protect their pools.

At Malik Law, we have seen the destruction a hurricane can cause. We have also seen how frequently insurance companies deny claims for damage to a pool following a hurricane. If your pool or other property has been damaged as a result of a Florida hurricane, the experienced hurricane claims attorneys at Malik Law can help ensure that your claim is handled properly and that you are compensated fairly for the damage to your property.
 

The Florida Hurricane Season

Hurricanes are one of nature’s most powerful storms, often producing strong winds, storm surge flooding, and heavy rainfall, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. To be classified as a hurricane, a storm must have sustained winds of 74 mph or greater. A major hurricane has winds of at least 111 mph and can reach speeds of over 180 mph.

The Atlantic hurricane season has an average of 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. Over the last decade, however, the Atlantic hurricane season has produced an above-average number of storms as well as more powerful storms. Florida homeowners need to prepare their homes and their pools, as well as their loved ones, for the very real possibility that they will be in the path of a destructive hurricane at some point during the season.
 

What Can I Do to Prepare My Pool for a Hurricane?

If you are one of the millions of Floridians who has invested in a pool to enjoy at home, that investment was likely a major one. Not only is your pool a significant financial investment, it is likely also a source of countless hours of family fun. To protect your pool during a hurricane, consider taking the following steps:

  • De-clutter your pool area. Your pool area is probably full of pool-related items, such as furniture, pool toys, flotation devices, and pool cleaning equipment. All those items can become dangerous projectiles during a hurricane. When there is a hurricane threat, anything that is not permanently secured should be removed from the pool area and stored indoors.
  • Trim nearby trees and bushes. This applies to your entire yard, as dead limbs or branches may snap during a hurricane and cause damage. When those limbs or branches are near your pool, they can tear through your pool enclosure and end up in the pool.
  • Remove covers. If your pool has a cover or solar blanket you may be tempted to leave it on to prevent debris from ending up in your pool; however, you should remove the cover/blanket instead to prevent it from blowing away and causing unnecessary damage.
  • Remove temporary fencing. Most pools in Florida have temporary safety fencing around them. That fencing can come loose and become a serious airborne threat. If you do remove safety fencing, however, do not forget to keep your children/pets away from the pool until it is replaced.
  • Shut off the power. You probably have electrical equipment near your pool that helps keep the pool operating and clean. If there is any risk that the equipment might become submerged, shut down the power at the breaker and cover the equipment with a waterproof cover.
  • Shut off the gas. If your pool is heated using gas, turn off the gas supply at the valve to prevent the risk of a gas leak or explosion.
  • Lower the water level. A hurricane can produce an unusually large amount of rainfall that can collect in your pool. In anticipation of that additional water, you may wish to lower the water level in your pool to prevent flooding. Do not completely drain your pool, however, as that can create a different set of risks and problems.
  • Be aware of your pool water’s chemical makeup. A hurricane can result in debris entering your pool’s water supply that can contaminate your pool water and result in algae growth. Treat the pool before turning off the electrical supply and check the chemical makeup of the water after the hurricane passes when you can do so safely.

 

Get Help from Experienced Miami Hurricane Damage Attorneys

If your pool or other property is damaged during a hurricane or other storm, you will need to file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company. If you have trouble filing a hurricane damage claim or your insurance company is not handling your claim satisfactorily, the Orlando hurricane damage insurance claim attorneys at Malik Law P.A. can help.

Malik Law is one of Florida’s leading insurance claim law firms, and our attorneys are committed to helping you navigate the insurance claim process to ensure that your claim is paid promptly and that you are compensated fairly for your losses. Call us at 407-537-0226 or submit our online form today. One of our experienced Miami hurricane damage attorneys will explain your rights to you and discuss your legal options at no cost.

Imran Malik
Imran Malik
Imran Malik, rated AV® Preeminent, by Martindale-Hubbell, is the founding member of Malik Law P.A. An AV® Rating signifies that a lawyer has reached the heights of professional excellence. He has practiced law for a number of years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity by fellow attorneys in his area of practice. Martindale-Hubbell is the oldest and most trusted lawyer information service in America.