Quick answer: Inspect what you can safely observe before weather becomes hazardous, write down defects and assign the correct person to fix them. This checklist identifies preparation gaps; it does not establish that a building can withstand a particular storm.
Start with the forecast and the property’s responsibilities
Identify the expected hazards: wind, flooding, tornadoes, winter cold or some combination. Check the local warning and evacuation information. A single inspection route cannot substitute for hazard-specific shelter or evacuation instructions.
If you rent or share a building, record the manager’s contact and who is responsible for exterior, drainage and common-area work. NOAA’s hurricane guidance recommends working with the landlord beforehand. Report a defect early enough for qualified work rather than assuming someone else has noticed it.
Inspect from safe, accessible positions
| Area | What to record |
|---|---|
| Outdoor loose items | What needs appropriate secure storage before high winds |
| Doors and windows | Visible damage and whether the intended protection can be used |
| Roof and trees, viewed from the ground | Visible defects requiring professional assessment |
| Accessible drainage areas | Visible blockage or maintenance issue to report |
| Interior routes | Clutter, locked access or assistance needed for shelter and exit |
| Emergency equipment | Location, suitable power source and current function check |
NOAA advises securing loose outdoor items and preparing the home for applicable local wind requirements. Visible condition alone does not prove structural compliance. Use qualified advice for reinforcement, roofing, tree work or electrical installations.
Turn observations into an action record
For each issue, write the location, what you observed, a photo if safely obtainable, the responsible contact and the completion date. Distinguish “reported” from “fixed.” For example, a damaged shutter latch is unresolved until the appropriate repair has been confirmed.
Keep the record simple enough to revisit: item, owner, next action and completion evidence. Photographing a defect is useful documentation, but it does not require climbing onto a roof or entering an unsafe area.
Check the indoor response separately
Walk the path to the chosen refuge and exits under normal conditions. Locate battery lights, radio and essential contacts. Confirm who helps a household member with limited mobility and what changes when the usual helper is absent.
Use the tornado checklist for refuge selection and the thunderstorm checklist for lightning precautions. Review hurricane power loss or winter heat loss when those hazards apply.
Set a firm end to outdoor preparation
Finish maintenance and moving items before conditions become dangerous. Do not handle electrical cords during lightning, work near power lines, climb in high winds or cross floodwater to finish a checklist. If warning instructions require shelter or evacuation, take that action and stop property work.
After conditions improve, use official access and utility guidance before returning to an inspection. Keep the earlier action record so unresolved defects can be addressed without confusing them with new storm damage.