Clean your gutters. A working gutter system, with properly placed downspouts and drains, will direct water away from your home’s foundation and help prevent damage, erosion, and water buildup. To make sure gutters work properly, you’ll need to clear them of leaves and debris regularly.

Keep your garage door shut. According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), during a storm, closing garage doors, interior doors, and windows, “helps compartmentalize the pressure inside a home into smaller areas, reducing the force on the roof by as much as 30%. That gives the roof a better chance of staying intact.”

Remove items from the yard that can become projectiles. Before a storm hits your area, remember to move cars, lawn furniture, and other outdoor equipment inside to minimize flying debris that can cause damage to your property.