Hurricane Pool Prep: What to Do Before and After the Storm

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How we wrote this: This checklist is based on guidance from the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) and Pentair, linked throughout. Your safety comes first: follow official evacuation orders, and never go out to the pool during a storm.

Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 (FSPA). If you own a pool in Florida, you’ll eventually be watching a cone on the news and wondering what to do about it. The good news is that pool prep is mostly about what not to do. As Pentair puts it, “pool equipment is replaceable,” so never put it ahead of your family’s safety (Pentair).

The one rule: don’t drain your pool

This is the most common and most expensive mistake. FSPA is blunt: “Don’t drain your pool!” The water’s weight is what keeps the shell from being “lifted off its foundation and ‘popping’ out of the ground because of pressure from Florida’s high water table” (FSPA). Pentair agrees: “Pools are designed to be full at all times” (Pentair).

FSPA warns that a pool that pops is a total loss (FSPA).

What about heavy rain overflowing it? FSPA’s advice is to keep the pool full before the storm and, afterward, drain only back down to the normal level (FSPA). Overflow goes into your yard; a popped pool can’t be fixed. If you’re worried about drainage around your deck, ask your pool pro before the season starts.

Before the storm: the checklist

Do this when a storm is a few days out, not when the wind is already up.

1. Trim and tidy

Cut back branches and pick up anything that could end up in the pool (FSPA). Do this early in the season, not on the eve of a storm when every tree service is booked.

2. Shock the pool

Both FSPA and Pentair say to super-chlorinate before the storm. A power outage can keep the pump off for days, and the extra chlorine helps the water hold up against debris (FSPA, Pentair).

Liquid chlorine is the simplest option. Our shock guide has the amounts. Buy it early, because store shelves empty fast once a storm is named. See liquid chlorine

3. Power down

Turn off the breakers for the pump, heater, lights, salt chlorinator, and any other pool equipment (Pentair). Cover the equipment with tarps or plastic and secure it (FSPA). If you expect flooding, Pentair says it “may be better to disconnect and store devices, especially your pool pump, in a safe space” (Pentair). If you’re not comfortable disconnecting a pump yourself, leave that to an electrician or pool pro.

4. Bring in loose items

Furniture, toys, floats, and pool tools all need to come inside, because anything loose can become a projectile (Pentair).

Can you put patio furniture in the pool? FSPA says yes, as long as you “gently place it in the pool.” Avoid scratching the finish, and remember that pool chemicals may damage the furniture (FSPA). Use it as a last resort, and never for anything glass or sharp-edged.

5. Bring in your robot and skimmer

This is our advice, not FSPA’s. Pull your robotic cleaner and any solar skimmer out of the pool and store them inside with the charger. They’re expensive, they’re light enough to blow around, and you’ll want them working for cleanup. Charge them before the storm so they’re ready if the power comes back before your patience does.

6. Leave the cover off

It sounds backwards, but Pentair advises leaving the pool cover off, because flying debris can damage it (Pentair). Screen enclosures are a separate issue. Talk to your enclosure installer about whether to open any panels.

7. Stock up

Have these on hand:

• extra liquid chlorine
• a test kit with fresh reagents
• a deep leaf net, which FSPA specifically recommends for cleanup (FSPA)

See a deep leaf rake

During the storm

Stay inside. FSPA says to “avoid using the pool and stay away from outdoor areas” (FSPA). Nothing about the pool is worth going out for.

After the storm: cleanup in the right order

1. Assess before you touch anything

FSPA suggests asking yourself:

• How hard was the pool hit?
• Do you have power?
• What kind of debris is in it?
• Is the filter equipment intact?
• Can you see the bottom? (FSPA)

If you can’t see the bottom, FSPA recommends hiring a licensed, insured pool company (FSPA). There could be glass, sharp debris, or downed wires.

2. Make the equipment safe before powering up

• Make sure everything is dry before you deal with electrical start-up.
• Confirm the breakers are still off before you reconnect anything.
• Check the wiring, especially ground wires.
• Follow the manufacturer’s restart instructions.
• If motors were exposed to water, have a professional check them (FSPA).

Pentair says the same: if any pool equipment was exposed to water, have a pro inspect it before you power up (Pentair). FSPA adds that flooded filtration equipment “WILL require repair,” and that in Florida, pump repairs must be done by a licensed pool contractor. A “CPO” is a certification, not a license, and you can verify licenses at myfloridalicense.com (FSPA).

Book early. Pentair warns there could be a backlog after a storm (Pentair).

3. Get the big stuff out by hand

Remove branches and large debris by hand or with a deep net, so it doesn’t get sucked into the pump or clog your equipment (FSPA). Be careful not to gouge the walls with large objects.

No power yet? FSPA says to remove large debris right away, then add chemicals to keep things from getting worse. “Without a running pump, this is all you can do at first” (FSPA).

4. Then let the robot handle the fine stuff

Once the big debris is out and you have power, Pentair suggests using your automatic cleaner for the fine debris (Pentair). Don’t send a robot in first. Sticks and palm fronds can jam it. You’ll probably need to empty its basket several times. See our pool robots hub and best cleaners for leaves.

5. Run the filter and clean it often

Run the pump longer than usual until the water clears, and backwash or clean the filter to keep water flowing (Pentair). FSPA notes that it may take several filter cleanings (FSPA).

6. Balance, then shock

Test and balance pH, alkalinity, hardness, and stabilizer first, then add chlorine (Pentair). Storm water and debris use up a lot of chlorine, so expect to shock. If the water turns green, our green pool guide walks you through it.

7. Fix the water level, and reset timers

If rain overfilled the pool, drain it down to its normal level, no further. If you must drain more to clean it, get professional advice first (FSPA). Reset clocks and timers that lost power (FSPA).

Printable hurricane pool checklist

Before: trim trees, shock, turn off breakers, cover or store equipment, bring in furniture and the robot, leave the cover off, don’t drain.

After: assess, dry and inspect before powering up, remove large debris by hand, run the robot, run and clean the filter, balance and shock, lower only to the normal water level.

Our newsletter sends this out at the start of each hurricane season. Get it here

FAQ

Should I drain my pool before a hurricane?

No. The water’s weight keeps the pool from popping out of the ground under Florida’s high water table, which FSPA warns can be a total loss (FSPA).

Should I shock my pool before a hurricane?

Yes. FSPA and Pentair both recommend super-chlorinating in case a power outage keeps the pump off (FSPA, Pentair).

Can I put patio furniture in my pool during a hurricane?

FSPA says you can if it can’t go inside. Place it gently to avoid scratching the finish, and know that the chemicals may damage it (FSPA).

Should I cover my pool for a hurricane?

Pentair says to leave the cover off, because flying debris can damage it (Pentair).

When can I turn my pool pump back on after a storm?

Only once everything is dry, the breakers have been checked, and the wiring has been inspected. If the motor was underwater, have a professional check it first (FSPA).

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Related: Hurricane & Storm Prep hub · How to Shock a Pool · Best Robotic Pool Cleaners for Florida