This year’s storms were another reminder of how quickly severe weather can disrupt our neighborhoods and put our homes at risk. Heavy rain can lead to water in basements, overwhelmed drainage systems and expensive repairs, making now a good time for homeowners to look at what they can do before the next storm arrives.
Flooding is one of the most widespread weather risks homeowners face. Hippo Insurance’s 2026 Housepower Report found that 14% of U.S. homeowners reported seeing an increase in flood risk during the past year. But many homeowners may not realize that their standard homeowners insurance policy does not include flood coverage.
Courtney Klosterman, home insights expert at Hippo Insurance, says preparation starts with understanding both your home and your insurance coverage.
Here are five things homeowners can consider now.
1. Find out what your homeowners insurance actually covers
Many of us pay our homeowners insurance premiums every year without spending much time looking at the details of the policy.
But flooding is one area where that can become costly.
“People often don’t realize that homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover earthquakes or floods,” Klosterman wrote in information provided to Chicago Southsider. “They may not even be aware that their home is at risk of weather damage at all.”
That means homeowners shouldn’t assume they are protected simply because they have homeowners insurance.
Klosterman recommends reviewing your coverage and determining whether separate flood insurance may make sense for your property. She also recommends checking FEMA flood maps periodically because a property’s flood risk can change over time.
Hippo’s 2026 Housepower Report found that only 19% of homeowners surveyed had purchased flood insurance riders or add-on policies.
It may also be worth asking your insurance provider specifically about water backup or sump pump overflow coverage since those protections may not automatically be included in a base policy.
2. Check your sump pump before you need it
For homeowners with basements, the sump pump can become one of the most important pieces of equipment in the house during periods of heavy rain.
“A sump pump helps remove excess water from basements and crawl spaces during heavy rainfall or flooding,” Klosterman says.
But there is another issue homeowners should think about: What happens if the electricity goes out?
Storms and power outages can happen at the same time.
That is why Klosterman recommends considering a sump pump with a battery backup.
“Choosing a model with a battery backup helps ensure it continues working even if the power goes out, which is common during storms,” she says.
Before the next major rainfall, homeowners may want to make sure their sump pump is working properly and determine whether they have a backup system in place.
3. Think about what could come back up through your drains
Rainwater coming into the house isn’t the only concern during a major storm.
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding can also create sewer backup problems.
Klosterman points to sewer backflow preventers as another protective measure homeowners can explore.
“A sewer backflow preventer helps stop sewage from flowing back into your home through toilets and drains during a flood,” she says.
According to Klosterman, a backflow preventer can be particularly useful for homes in areas prone to flash flooding or heavy rainstorms.
If you aren’t sure whether your home has one, this may be something to discuss with a licensed plumbing professional.
4. Look around your basement and foundation for places water can enter
Sometimes the first sign of a problem isn’t several inches of standing water.
It might be moisture along a basement wall, water near a window or seepage around the foundation.
Klosterman recommends homeowners consider water-resistant barriers and sealants as another line of defense.
“Applying waterproof sealants to basement walls and foundations can help prevent water seepage,” she says.
Flood barriers or sandbags may also help protect vulnerable doors, windows and other entry points when rising water is expected.
After a heavy storm, walk around the inside and outside of your home and look for signs of water intrusion. A small problem may be easier — and less expensive — to address before the next storm.
5. Pay attention to where water goes around your property
What happens outside your house matters, too.
Traditional concrete and asphalt surfaces can contribute to runoff and water pooling around a property. Klosterman recommends considering landscaping and drainage solutions that allow more water to absorb into the ground or move away from the home.
Options can include permeable pavers, gravel, rain gardens, French drains and bioswales.
Homeowners don’t necessarily have to tackle every project at once.
The bigger goal is to understand how water moves around your property. After a storm, take note of where you see pooling, standing water or areas where water collects close to the foundation.
That information can help you decide what needs attention first.
Prepare before the next storm
Extreme weather can come with a financial cost long after the rain stops.
Klosterman emphasize that homeowners can take proactive steps to reduce the risk of property damage, including routine maintenance, home upgrades and reviewing insurance coverage.
For South Side homeowners, the days immediately following a storm can be a good time to take inventory.
Check the basement. Test the sump pump. Look around the foundation. Review your insurance policy. And pay attention to where water collects around your property.
You may not be able to control the next storm, but you can be better prepared for what comes with it.
