Hurricane season doesn’t end when summer does. The Atlantic season officially runs through November 30, and even though 2026 has been unusually quiet so far, with forecasters pointing to a strengthening El Niño, it only takes one storm to flood a backyard. A slow-moving tropical storm can dump just as much water on your pool as a hurricane, and most storm-related pool problems come from rain, power outages, and debris rather than wind alone.
If you live along the Gulf or Atlantic coast, or even a few hours inland where storm remnants still bring heavy rain, here’s how to get your pool ready, what to do while the storm passes, and how to bring the water back afterward. Check the National Hurricane Center for current forecasts so you know how much lead time you actually have.
The #1 rule: don’t drain your pool
It sounds logical. Lower the water so heavy rain can’t overflow the pool. But for an inground pool, draining is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. Heavy rain saturates the soil, and rising groundwater pushes upward on the pool shell. The weight of the water is what holds the pool in the ground. Without it, an empty inground pool can crack, shift, or even “pop” out of the ground.
Keep the water at its normal level. If you’re seriously worried about overflow, some pros suggest lowering it slightly, but never below the bottom of the skimmer opening. When in doubt, call a local pool professional before you touch the drain valve.
Before the storm: your 8-step checklist
1. Shock the pool and balance the water
Rain dilutes your chlorine and throws off pH and alkalinity, and if the power goes out, your pump won’t be circulating anything. Balance your water and shock the pool before the storm arrives, and run the pump for several hours beforehand so the chemicals distribute. Not sure how much to add? Our Pool Chemical & Chlorine Dosage Calculator will give you exact amounts based on your pool’s size and current readings. If you have a saltwater system, turn the chlorine output up the day before, since you won’t be able to adjust it once the power is off.
2. Turn off the power at the breaker
Shut off the breakers for your pump, lights, heater, chlorinator, and any automation. That protects the equipment from power surges, lightning, and short circuits if water reaches it. If you have a gas heater, close the gas supply valve too.
3. Protect your equipment
Wrap the pump motor, control panels, timers, and light transformers in heavy waterproof plastic and tie it down securely. If flooding is likely in your area, disconnect what you can and store it somewhere dry. Sandbagging around the equipment pad helps if water tends to collect there.
4. Secure or remove everything loose
Chairs, umbrellas, toys, skimmer poles, pool brushes, and robotic cleaners all become projectiles in high wind. Bring them inside, and screw down skimmer lids so they don’t go flying. Tossing patio furniture into the pool is a last resort: if you must, place it in gently (never throw it, and never put glass in the water) and pull it out as soon as possible, because metal items can leave stains and scratch the surface.
5. Don’t cover the pool
A loose cover can turn into a sail, tear, or trap debris and standing rainwater in ways that make cleanup harder. Leave the pool uncovered and let the rain and wind pass through.
6. Trim trees and clear your drainage
Cut back dead limbs that could land on your pool, screen enclosure, or equipment. Clear deck drains and any French drain near the pool so water has somewhere to go instead of sitting against the pool wall.
7. Check your fence and gate
A storm-damaged fence or a gate that no longer latches is a real safety problem once the weather clears, especially with kids or pets around. Make sure everything is secure now, and our guide to pool fence safety requirements covers what your barrier needs to meet afterward.
8. Document everything
Take photos or a quick video of the pool, equipment, fence, and surrounding landscaping before the storm. If you need to file an insurance claim, before-and-after documentation makes it far easier.
During the storm
Stay away from the pool and keep the power off. Don’t try to fix anything mid-storm, and don’t swim, even if the sky looks calm. Lightning and electrical hazards are real, and the eye of a storm is not the all-clear.
After the storm: 6 steps to bring your pool back
1. Assume the water is contaminated
Floodwater, runoff, and debris carry bacteria and chemicals. Stay out of the pool until it’s been cleaned and rebalanced, and keep kids and pets away too.
2. Inspect before you restore power
Don’t turn the breakers back on until you’ve cleared debris and checked for damage. If any of your equipment was submerged or soaked, have a licensed electrician look at it before you power it up. Running a damaged pump or heater can turn a repairable problem into a full replacement.
3. Remove debris by hand
Use a leaf rake or net to pull out branches and large debris. Don’t run large debris through the vacuum lines, since it can clog the plumbing. Then empty the skimmer and pump baskets.
4. Test, shock, and rebalance
Storm water will have thrown your chemistry off. Test the water, shock it, and adjust pH and alkalinity. Run the pump and filter continuously until the water clears, and clean or backwash the filter as it loads up. If the water stays hazy, our guide to fixing a cloudy pool after rain walks through the fix step by step.
5. Look for damage and leaks
Check the shell or liner, tile, coping, lights, and equipment pad for cracks or shifting. Keep an eye on the water level over the next week. A drop beyond normal evaporation could mean the storm caused a leak, and our pool leak repair guide can help you track it down.
6. Only drain if you absolutely have to
If mud, silt, or debris are so bad that draining is unavoidable, remove less than half the water, clean, and refill. A full drain should wait until the ground has dried out and the water table has dropped, ideally with a pool professional’s guidance.
What about insurance and cost?
Standard homeowners policies typically cover wind damage but often exclude flood damage, which usually requires a separate flood policy. Some states also apply a separate hurricane deductible. Read your policy now, before you need it, and keep those pre-storm photos handy. On the maintenance side, expect to spend extra on chemicals and filter cleaning to recover after a big rain event. If you want to see what a normal month costs so you can budget for the extra, try our Swimming Pool Maintenance Cost Calculator.
The bottom line
Preparing your pool for a hurricane comes down to a few simple moves: keep it full, keep the chemistry strong, cut the power, and get everything loose out of the yard. Do that, and cleanup is usually a matter of days instead of a major repair bill. Once storm season winds down and cooler weather settles in, you can move on to our fall pool closing checklist if your pool needs to be winterized.
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