As spring storm season approaches, homeowners across the United States are being urged to prepare now to reduce avoidable and costly damage from severe storms. Thunderstorms are more than just heavy rain — in 2025, they were the second-costliest insured disaster in the U.S., surpassed only by the Los Angeles wildfires, according to Munich Re. With more homes and people concentrated in high-risk areas, severe thunderstorms are affecting more households each year and driving rising losses.

The good news is that you can take steps now to prevent avoidable loss by strengthening your home's defenses against storms that can include torrential rain, hail, high winds, even tornadoes. To help homeowners address vulnerabilities in their homes, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers the following science-backed actions you can take before spring thunderstorm season to better protect homes and reduce potential risks.

Start with Your Roof, the First Line of Defense

Your home's first line of defense during severe weather is the roof, and its age matters. Even winds around 60 miles per hour can severely damage an older roof. Missing shingles, gaps between roof deck panels, and aging materials can leave homes vulnerable to both wind and water intrusion.

When it is time for replacement, upgrading to a FORTIFIED Roof™ provides additional protection by sealing the roof deck, using a stronger nailing pattern, and locking down the roof edges to help keep the roof in place and water out. That added protection has proven effective in real storms. A peer-reviewed study following Hurricane Sally found that FORTIFIED homes performed better than traditionally built homes, with fewer and less severe insurance claims.

IBHS research shows that when a roof cover fails, it can lead to serious leaks that allow large amounts of rainwater to get inside a home. For every inch of rain, the equivalent of nine bathtubs of water can enter a home through gaps in the roof deck.

To reduce this risk, IBHS recommends sealing the roof deck during re-roofing or new construction. Sealing the roof deck means applying a specialized, waterproof tape over the seams between the wood roof deck panels before new roofing materials are installed.

Those panels naturally expand and contract with temperature and moisture changes, which can create small gaps. During a storm, wind-driven rain can be forced through those gaps if the roof covering is damaged. By sealing the seams, the tape helps block water from entering the home — reducing water intrusion by up to 95%.

Because this upgrade is done when the roof covering is already being replaced, re-roofing is one of the most effective opportunities homeowners have to significantly improve their home's protection against storm damage.

Don't Overlook the Garage Door

When preparing your home for a storm, your garage door may not be on your radar. However, as the largest opening in most homes, it can be a major vulnerability in high-wind events.

When a weak garage door fails, strong winds can rush inside, rapidly increasing pressure on walls and the roof — much like over-inflating a balloon — causing structural damage to both the garage and the rest of the home.

To reduce this risk, homeowners should check whether their garage door is wind-rated, which means it has been tested to withstand the force and pressure of high wind speeds. Homeowners can look for a label inside the garage door indicating it meets local wind load requirements. If no label is present or information is missing, upgrade to a wind-rated door to significantly improve your home's resilience.

Small Steps That Make a Big Difference

Some of the most effective actions to strengthen your home against thunderstorms are simple, inexpensive, and easy to complete before storm season begins. Routine maintenance and seasonal preparation can significantly reduce the risk of damage.

IBHS recommends homeowners:

• Clear debris from gutters, downspouts, and drains to allow water to flow away from the home
• Trim trees away from the roof and windows
• Seal exterior gaps and cracks to block wind-driven rain
• Cover outdoor HVAC units to protect them from hail
• Organize garage space so vehicles can be parked inside, and large items can be stored quickly when storms approach

Individually, these actions reduce the risk of damage. Together, they help create a strong home better able to withstand severe weather.

Prepare Before the Thunder Rolls In

Waiting until storms are in the forecast is often too late. By taking action now, homeowners can reduce repair costs, limit disruption, and protect their property before the next thunderstorm strikes.

To learn more, visit IBHS.org, where homeowners can access Thunderstorm Ready resources, including easy-to-follow downloadable checklists, designed to strengthen homes against severe weather.