Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, with the worst stretch falling between mid-August and mid-October. If you own a home in Volusia or Flagler County, your plumbing system needs specific attention before, during, and after a storm. A burst pipe or flooded water heater can turn a stressful situation into an expensive one. This checklist covers what to do at each stage so you are not scrambling when a storm hits.
What Should You Do Before Hurricane Season Starts?
The best time to prepare your plumbing for a hurricane is before one shows up on the forecast. A spring or early summer walkthrough catches problems while you still have time (and a plumber who is not booked solid).
Locate and Test Your Main Water Shutoff
Every homeowner in Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, and the surrounding area should know where the main water shutoff valve is. Most homes have one near the water meter at the street and another where the main line enters the house. Turn each one fully off and back on to make sure it actually works. Gate valves that have not been touched in years can seize up or fail to close completely. If yours is stuck or leaking, get it replaced now, not during a storm watch.
Test Individual Fixture Shutoffs
Check the shutoff valves under every sink, behind every toilet, and at the washing machine. These are your first line of defense if a single fixture develops a problem. Turn each one off, confirm the water stops, and turn it back on. Replace any valve that drips or will not close.
Inspect Your Water Heater
Check the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve by lifting the lever briefly. Water should flow through the discharge pipe and stop when you release it. If it drips continuously or does not flow at all, the valve needs replacement. Also look for corrosion on fittings, water pooling around the base, or unusual noises. Addressing a failing water heater before hurricane season is far better than dealing with it during one.
Clear Exterior Drains and Cleanouts
Walk around your property and find every exterior drain, cleanout cap, and downspout connection. Remove leaves, mulch, and debris. Make sure the cleanout caps are snug and in good condition. Clogged exterior drains during a heavy rain event can force water back into your home or cause sewer backup through floor drains. If a drain backed up during last year’s rainy season, consider having it camera-inspected before the next storm.
What Should You Do 72 Hours Before a Storm?
Once a storm enters the forecast cone for Volusia or Flagler County, move from planning mode to action mode.
Secure Outdoor Plumbing
Disconnect garden hoses from all outdoor hose bibs and store them inside. Flying hoses can damage siding, windows, and the spigots themselves. If your hose bibs have individual shutoff valves inside the house, close them. This is especially important for older homes in Ormond Beach neighborhoods like Tomoka Oaks or along the Halifax River, where wind exposure is higher near the water.
Shut off your irrigation system at the controller and at the backflow preventer if you have one. Irrigation lines are shallow and vulnerable to debris impact and flooding.
Store Water Before You Lose It
Fill bathtubs, large containers, and clean trash cans with water before the storm arrives. Municipal water pressure can drop or disappear if a main breaks or a pump station loses power. This stored water covers flushing toilets (pour a bucket into the bowl), cleaning, and basic hygiene if service is interrupted. For drinking water, use sealed containers or commercially bottled water.
Document Everything for Insurance
Take photos and video of your water heater, all visible plumbing, and any fixtures of value. Capture model numbers, serial numbers, and the general condition. If storm damage occurs, this documentation speeds up insurance claims significantly. Store copies on your phone and in the cloud where they will not be lost with the house.
How Do You Protect Your Plumbing During the Storm?
If You Are Evacuating
Before you leave, shut off the main water supply at the street-side valve. This prevents a broken pipe from flooding your home while you are away. Turn off the water heater at the breaker (electric) or turn the gas valve to “pilot” or “off” (gas). An electric water heater that loses water from a broken supply line and then gets power restored will burn out its heating elements, a condition called dry firing.
If You Are Riding It Out
Avoid using toilets, sinks, or showers during the peak of the storm if possible. Municipal sewer systems can become overwhelmed by floodwater, and flushing during a surge event can cause sewage to back up through floor drains or low-lying fixtures. Keep drains covered and watch for any foul smell, which could mean sewer pressure is building in your lines.
Well Water and Septic Homes
If your home runs on a private well (common in unincorporated areas of Deltona, Pierson, Oak Hill, and parts of Palm Coast), turn off the well pump breaker during the storm. Flooding can contaminate the well head or damage the pump. After the storm, the well will need to be tested and potentially shock-chlorinated before you drink from it again. Septic systems that flood may take days to return to normal. Minimize water use until the drain field dries out.
What Should You Check After the Storm?
Once conditions are safe and you can return home or step outside, do not rush to turn everything back on. A careful, step-by-step restart protects your plumbing and your health.
Restore Water Slowly
- Open the main shutoff valve slowly (not all at once).
- Open a hot water faucet and let it run until the water flows steadily with no air sputtering. This confirms the water heater tank is full.
- Only after water runs clear and steady should you restore power to the electric water heater or relight a gas unit. Energizing a dry tank burns out the heating elements.
- Flush each faucet in the house for three to five minutes before using the water for cooking or drinking.
Check Your Meter for Hidden Leaks
Once the water is back on and all faucets are closed, go to your water meter and watch the dial. If it is spinning with nothing running in the house, you have a leak somewhere between the meter and the house or inside the walls. Mark the reading, wait 30 minutes without using any water, and check again. Even a small change means a leak that needs professional attention.
Follow Boil-Water Notices Exactly
After hurricanes or major storms, the City of Ormond Beach, City of Daytona Beach, or Volusia County may issue boil-water notices if the water system lost pressure, sustained damage, or detected possible contamination. These notices mean you should boil tap water at a rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or making ice. Do not lift the notice on your own. Wait for the official all-clear from your water utility.
When Should You Call a Licensed Plumber After a Hurricane?
Some post-storm plumbing problems are obvious. Others show up days or weeks later. Call a licensed plumber if you notice any of the following:
- Sewer smell inside the house. Damaged vent pipes or broken drain traps can let sewer gas into your living space. This is a health hazard and needs immediate attention.
- Water heater that was submerged in floodwater. A water heater exposed to flood water generally needs full replacement. Floodwater contaminates the tank interior, and electrical or gas components may be compromised.
- Unexplained high water bill. A slab leak or underground pipe break caused by pressure transients during the storm may not show obvious signs above ground. A sudden jump in your water bill in the weeks after a hurricane is a red flag.
- Discolored or foul-smelling water that does not clear. If flushing the lines for several minutes does not resolve brown, rusty, or odorous water, the issue may be in your home’s supply lines rather than the municipal system.
- Gas smell near the water heater or gas appliances. If you smell rotten eggs near your gas water heater, stove, or dryer, leave the house immediately, do not flip any switches, and call your gas company and a licensed plumber.
- Persistent dripping or wet spots on walls and ceilings. Storm winds can shift roof flashing and wall penetrations where plumbing vents exit, causing water intrusion that mimics or compounds plumbing leaks.
Keep This Checklist Handy
Living on the Florida coast means hurricanes are part of the deal. Your plumbing does not have to be a casualty every time a storm rolls through. A few hours of preparation and a calm, methodical restart afterward can save you thousands in water damage and emergency repairs.
AMN Plumbing serves all of Volusia County and Flagler County, including Daytona Beach, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, Deltona, DeLand, and 14 other communities across both counties. If a storm has damaged your plumbing or you want a pre-season inspection, call us at (386) 852-2526 or send us a message. We are a family-owned, licensed plumbing company (CFC1431949) that has been serving this community since 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I turn off my water heater before a hurricane?
Yes. If you are evacuating, turn off the breaker for an electric water heater or set a gas unit to “pilot” or “off.” If the water supply breaks while you are away and the tank drains, restoring power to an empty electric tank will burn out the heating elements. Once you return and restore water, let a hot faucet run until steady flow confirms the tank is full before turning the power back on.
Can I flush my toilet during a hurricane?
You can, but avoid it during the worst of the storm. Municipal sewer systems can become overwhelmed by floodwater, and flushing during a surge can cause sewage to back up through floor drains. If water pressure drops or goes out entirely, you can manually flush by pouring a bucket of stored water directly into the bowl.
How do I know if my plumbing was damaged by a storm?
After the storm, turn the water back on slowly and check your meter with all fixtures off. If the meter dial is moving, you have a leak. Other signs include sewer smell inside the house, discolored water that does not clear after flushing, wet spots on walls or ceilings, and unexplained spikes in your water bill in the weeks after the storm.
Is my well water safe to drink after a hurricane?
Not automatically. Floodwater can contaminate a well head, and storm surges or heavy rains can introduce bacteria into the groundwater. After a hurricane, have your well water tested before drinking it. If contamination is found, the well will need to be shock-chlorinated and retested. Use bottled water until you receive a clean test result.