What To Do Before, During, and After a Hurricane: A Complete Guide for New York and Long Island Residents

When the winds finally die down and the power flickers back on, thousands of New York and Long Island homeowners find themselves facing the same questions: What now? If your home just endured a hurricane nor’easter, or major storm, you’re not alone. We’re right here with you. With 20+ years of experience in waterproofing, flood mitigation, flood clean up, and mold removal, Zavza Seal offers free storm damage assessments to Long Island residents from Manhattan to Orient, and out to Montauk. 

If your home or business is anywhere in Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, or The Bronx, and you think you might have taken on damage from a recent severe weather event, give us a call and let’s meet up and check it out together. Our advice is always free. 

If you’re here for the guide on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane, you couldn’t be in better hands. We love blogging and we know that makes it our responsibility to get you the right information. So, that said, this guide walks you through what to do before, during, and after a hurricane, whether you’re planning ahead, hunkering down, or cleaning up. Each stage includes local insights, professional advice, and actionable steps that help protect your home, your family, and your financial future.

Stay Informed, Stay Protected! Learn Exactly What To Do Before, During, and After a Hurricane in New York.

What To Do Before, During, and After a Hurricane: We Put the Information Below In Sections for Each Timeframe to Make it Easier for You

No two storms are the same, but every hurricane follows a pattern: preparation, survival, and recovery. In this section, we’ll break down what to do before, during, and after the storm, plus give you resources for New York for all three timeframes. 

Step-by-step, so you’re never caught unprepared again, here’s what to do before, during, and after a hurricane:

What To Do Before a Hurricane

Hurricane preparedness starts long before the first storm warning. For New York and Long Island homeowners, early preparation can make the difference between minor repairs and devastating loss. Begin at least 48–72 hours before expected landfall, as recommended by FEMA, to secure your home and protect your family.

What to Do Before a Hurricane:

• Make an Emergency Plan: Identify evacuation routes, plan where you’ll go if roads close, and ensure every family member knows how to communicate during power outages. Don’t forget pets. Have carriers, leashes, and supplies ready.
• Stock Essential Supplies: Keep at least three days of food and one gallon of water per person per day. Add first aid kits, flashlights, batteries, power banks, and critical medications. Expect power outages and long supply lines during recovery.
• Protect Your Property: Check sump pumps, test generators, and clear gutters and drains. Elevate or waterproof basement utilities, and anchor outdoor furniture or loose debris that can become airborne. Inspect your roof and foundation for vulnerabilities, now is the time to act, not after.
• Invest in Prevention Solutions: Reduce future storm damage by waterproofing your foundation, sealing crawl spaces, and installing proper drainage or sump systems. Consider flood barriers and backup pumps to control moisture during power loss. Preventive work now can save tens of thousands in post-storm repairs.
• Document Everything: Take pre-storm photos and videos of your home, vehicles, and valuables. Keep insurance documents, IDs, and emergency contacts in a waterproof container or digital backup.
• Stay Informed: Sign up for New York State emergency alerts, follow NOAA and FEMA updates, and monitor local news for evacuation orders or flood warnings.

Before hurricane season intensifies, take small actions that prevent big losses, and if you’d like professional help preparing, get a free Hurricane Readiness Inspection and protect your home before the next storm hits New York.

Resources:

• FEMA Hurricane Safety Resources
• New York State Hurricane Safety & Preparedness
• National Weather Service NYC Office
• Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) Outage Map
• Ready.gov’s Preparedness Materials

How We Can Help Long Island Properties Avoid Flood Damage Before a Hurricane

When hurricanes threaten Long Island, proactive protection is critical. We offer tailored flood prevention systems that defend your foundation, your structure, and your peace of mind.

• Flood Barrier Walls: Flood barrier walls help protect entry points and basements from storm surge, redirecting water away from structures and reducing the risk of interior flooding.
• Waterproofing Services: Basement, crawl space, and foundation waterproofing seals walls and floors to prevent water intrusion, mold growth, and structural deterioration during heavy rainfall and storm conditions.
• Yard Drainage Systems: Yard drainage systems move surface water away from your home or building, reducing standing water, soil erosion, and flood risk during and after storms.
• Commercial Perimeter Drainage: Perimeter drainage for commercial sites protects slab foundations, parking lots, and entryways from pooling water and long-term flood-related damage.
• Crawl Space Encapsulation: Crawl space encapsulation defends one of the most flood-prone areas of a home by sealing floors and walls with a moisture-proof barrier system.
• Equipment Anchoring and Elevation: Elevating equipment with helical piers lifts critical HVAC and electrical systems above FEMA-recommended flood levels to prevent storm-related damage and service loss.

What To Do During a Hurricane

When the storm finally hits, your focus must shift from preparation to personal safety and calm decision-making. For Long Island homeowners, hurricane conditions can change in minutes. With winds, storm surge, and power loss striking all at once. Stay inside, stay informed, and remember: nearly 60% of hurricane-related injuries occur during or immediately after the storm.

What to Do During a Hurricane:

• Shelter in Place: Move to an interior room on the lowest level above flood zones, ideally without windows or skylights. Keep emergency supplies nearby, including flashlights, batteries, and water. Stay away from exterior walls, and don’t attempt to go outside until officials confirm it’s safe.
• Avoid Floodwaters: Floodwater is rarely clean. It may contain raw sewage, chemicals, or live power lines. Even six inches of moving water can knock an adult off balance. Never drive or walk through it. Electrocution and contamination are real, immediate risks.
• Track the Storm: Use a NOAA weather radio, smartphone, or battery-powered device to monitor updates from the National Hurricane Center and New York State Emergency Services. Keep your phone on low-power mode and conserve battery for essential communication only.

Stay Safe! If Flooding Begins, Move to Higher Ground and Call Local Emergency Services.

• Stay Off the Roads: Do not attempt to drive during the storm. Roads may be flooded, blocked by debris, or structurally weakened. Emergency responders are often limited during peak winds and rainfall. It’s safer to remain sheltered until the all-clear is given.
• Maintain Communication: Keep your phone charged, text instead of calling when possible, and inform family or neighbors of your status if conditions worsen. A calm, coordinated response saves lives when chaos strikes.

Understanding what to do during a hurricane is about patience and awareness. The goal is simple: stay alive, stay sheltered, and wait until professionals declare it safe to move.

Resources:

• National Hurricane Center Live Updates
• New York City Emergency Management
• American Red Cross Disaster Services
• 211 Long Island Emergency Assistance

What To Do After a Hurricane

Once the storm has passed, recovery begins, but rushing back too soon can be dangerous. Long Island homeowners should proceed with extreme caution. Avoid flooded streets and damaged buildings until authorities confirm the area is safe. Most post-storm injuries happen during cleanup, not the hurricane itself.

What to Do After a Hurricane:

• Check for Hazards: Before entering your property, look for downed power lines, gas leaks, or structural instability. Never step into standing water or use wet electrical outlets, electrocution and contamination risks remain high even after the skies clear.
• Inspect and Document Damage: Take photos and videos of every affected area, from the foundation to the roof. Do not discard damaged materials until your insurance adjuster has inspected them. Proper documentation is critical for accurate claim approval and reimbursement.
• Contact Insurance Providers: File your claim as quickly as possible. Provide photos, repair estimates, and receipts for temporary living or mitigation expenses. Expect delays during widespread disasters, but persistence and proof will speed up your process.
• Prevent Secondary Damage: Begin drying out waterlogged areas within 24–48 hours to prevent mold growth. Schedule a professional inspection to assess foundation shifts, basement seepage, and hidden moisture behind walls. Untreated damage now can become a far more expensive structural problem later.
• Be Wary of Scams: Unfortunately, post-hurricane contractor scams rise sharply. Only hire licensed, insured professionals, verify credentials, and avoid paying large deposits upfront. Reliable contractors will provide written estimates and proof of insurance.
• Seek Financial Aid: If your losses exceed insurance coverage, apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance or local county recovery programs. Many New York homeowners qualify for temporary housing and emergency repair grants.
• Call on Us: If your Long Island home has sustained damage, call Zavza Seal at (631) 980-1800 for a fast, professional damage assessment. Our certified experts can inspect, document, and restore your property safely.

Recovering from a hurricane takes time, but the right first steps can protect your investment and your health. 

Resources:

• FEMA Disaster Assistance Portal
• New York State Division of Financial Services – Insurance Help
• Long Island Contractors Licensing Board
• CDC Mold Cleanup Guidelines

Our Hurricane Cleanup, Water Damage, and Mold Prevention Solutions for After a Hurricane

Once the storm has passed, moisture, mold, and hidden damage can quickly take hold. We offer dependable post-hurricane services to help Long Island recover safely and completely.

• Water Extraction: Water extraction removes standing water from basements, crawl spaces, and interior rooms, preventing further damage and accelerating the dry-out process.
• Water Damage Repair: Water damage repair restores materials compromised by storm flooding, including drywall, insulation, subflooring, and wood framing, to stabilize and preserve property value.
• Dehumidification Services: Dehumidification services use industrial-grade equipment to remove moisture from the air and structure, reducing mold risk and speeding up property recovery.
• Air Purification Services: Air purification services clean indoor air using HEPA filtration and negative air machines, targeting airborne mold spores, bacteria, and post-flood contaminants.
• Mold Testing and Inspection: Mold testing and inspection identifies hidden fungal growth, checks air quality, and guides targeted remediation after water damage or high-humidity events.
• Mold Prevention Services: Mold prevention services include moisture control, antimicrobial treatments, and material sealing to stop mold before it starts in storm-affected areas.

Get a Free Damage Assessment and Storm Recovery Plan! Serving Long Island and All New York Boroughs.

What to Do Before, During, and After a Hurricane: Free Storm Damage Assessments in Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx

No matter where you live, Brooklyn brownstones, Long Island basements, or Queens townhomes, knowing what to do before, during, and after a hurricane and acting quickly make all the difference to protecting your property.  

At Zavza Seal, we’re dedicated to helping homeowners in Long Island protect their homes and families from storm damage and storm surges, water seepage, wet crawl spaces, and dangerous mold. 

Call on us any time you think you may have taken on damage from a severe weather event, or contact us now to find out more about how we can protect you and your family from the next big storm!

Protect Your Home From the Next Storm! Schedule a Free Post-Hurricane Damage Inspection Today.

Frequently Asked Questions About What to Do Before, During, and After a Hurricane:

What Should I Do To Prepare My Home Before A Hurricane Hits
To prepare your home before a hurricane, secure outdoor furniture, clean gutters, install flood barriers, and waterproof your foundation. Stock up on emergency supplies and review evacuation routes. Preparation reduces storm damage and keeps your family safe.

How Do I Protect My Basement From Flooding During A Storm
Protect your basement from flooding by installing a sump pump with backup power, sealing walls and floors, and adding a perimeter drainage system. These methods help redirect stormwater and reduce structural damage.

Should I Stay Or Evacuate During A Hurricane On Long Island
If local officials issue evacuation orders, leave immediately. Coastal and flood-prone areas of Long Island are especially vulnerable to storm surge and power loss. Always follow official guidance for your safety.

What Are The Most Important Items To Have During A Hurricane
The most important hurricane supplies include clean water, food, medications, flashlights, batteries, phone chargers, a weather radio, and important documents. Pack these in a waterproof container before the storm hits.

How Can I Prevent Mold Growth After A Hurricane
Prevent mold growth by drying out flooded areas within 24 to 48 hours. Use dehumidifiers, remove damaged materials, and schedule a mold inspection to identify hidden moisture or spores.

What’s The Best Way To Remove Water From My Home After A Storm
The best way to remove stormwater is to use pumps or wet vacuums, ventilate affected areas, and hire a professional for complete water extraction and dehumidification services.

Do I Need A Professional Mold Inspection After A Hurricane
Yes, a professional mold inspection is recommended after hurricane flooding. It can detect hidden moisture, airborne spores, and contamination behind walls or under flooring.

Can Flood Barriers Really Stop Hurricane Water
Yes, flood barriers can prevent water from entering homes and crawl spaces during a hurricane. Installed properly, they’re effective at blocking storm surge and rainfall runoff.

Who Do I Call To Inspect Hurricane Damage To My Foundation Or Crawl Space
Call Zavza Seal for a free hurricane damage inspection. We serve all of Long Island and assess foundations, crawl spaces, and moisture levels after storms.

What Should I Avoid Doing After A Hurricane
After a hurricane, avoid turning on wet electrical systems, entering flooded rooms, or delaying repairs. Fast action prevents mold growth and structural damage.