If there’s anything we are used to here in Mississippi, it’s extreme weather. In fact, I heard Mississippi’s newest Miss Mississippi’s Teen Avery McNair explain recently that storms are not only increasing in frequency but also in strength. Avery McNair has focused her community service on weather awareness because her home was hit twice by tornadoes. When it’s not tornado season, it’s hurricane season, and if winter ever actually comes to Mississippi, we sometimes find ourselves blanketed in ice and without power for days (or weeks) at a time. Severe weather is a way of life around here.
While there isn’t much you can do about exactly how, when, or where severe weather hits, there are some things you can do to be sure your home is as prepared as possible.
Scout the Danger Zones
Before you start gathering your tools and getting to work, it’s a good idea to first take a tour of your home so you can work out what might need some attention, whether it be the roofing eaves, siding seams, or foundation cracks. That way, you can focus your efforts on bolstering the areas of your home that are most in need of attention, so that errant leaves or unexpectedly heavy rains can’t harm your house.
Caulk and Seal
Regular caulking and sealing around windows, doors, and utility penetrations is cheap, simple, and oddly satisfying. A quality exterior-grade caulk, squeezed in neat beads around frames, keeps moisture, drafts, and pests out, while reducing energy bills. It’s also something you can do yourself. Just smooth the lines with a gloved finger or caulk tool, then step back and admire your handiwork.
Dress Your Roof for Success
Your roof is the silent hero of household resilience, but it often gets neglected until a leak makes itself known in the dining room. Shingles can curl, granules can wash away, and flashing can warp. To avoid indoor puddles, inspect your roof twice a year, trim overhanging branches, and replace any damaged shingles. If heights or complexity induce vertigo, hire a roofing company such as A&J Professional Services for professional inspection and repair. A solid roof protects every other upgrade you make.
Fortify Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are often the most vulnerable parts of your home. Upgrade to double-pane or low-emission glass for better insulation, even if it means keeping that nineteenth-century window frame for aesthetic points. Weatherstripping is an affordable upgrade that prevents air leaks, while storm doors add an extra barrier against wind and rain. Properly installed, these measures prevent drafts and leaks.
Tame the Interior Climate
July, August, and September are just plain hot here so it’s important to focus on internal comfort. Insulate attics, crawl spaces, and walls to maintain consistent temperatures while minimizing strain on HVAC systems. A programmable thermostat adjusts the temperature when you are away, saving energy without sacrificing comfort. The result is a home that stays snug in winter, cool in summer, and mercifully indifferent to sudden temperature changes.
Landscape Strategically
Don’t overlook landscaping as part of your home’s defenses. Planting water-loving bushes near foundation cracks can absorb excess runoff, while decorative swales redirect surface water away from walls. Use gravel or crushed stone under downspouts to prevent soil erosion, and choose native plants that thrive in local rainfall patterns. Thoughtful landscaping turns yards into a natural buffer zone, keeping hazards at bay.
Attention to these things and small steps to address any problems you find will help you have a home that is well-protected from whatever the weather throws at it!
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
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