To prepare your pool for a hurricane: do NOT drain it, shock the water to about 10 ppm, shut everything off at the breaker, move furniture indoors (never into the pool), and leave the pool uncovered. Afterward: inspect the equipment before restoring power, remove debris by hand, drain excess rain to mid-skimmer, run the filter 24 hours, and rebalance the chemistry before anyone swims. Every step explained below.
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and in Broward County that means every pool owner needs a storm plan. The good news: preparing your pool takes under an hour, and most storm damage we see comes from well-intentioned mistakes — not the storm itself. Here is exactly what to do before, during, and after a storm.
How do you prepare a pool before a hurricane?
1. Do NOT drain your pool
This is the single most expensive mistake a Florida pool owner can make. When the ground becomes saturated with storm rain, hydrostatic pressure builds under the shell — an empty or partially drained pool can literally lift out of the ground ("popping"), destroying plumbing and decking. A full pool is a heavy, stable pool. Leave the water in.
2. Shock the water and run the pump
Superchlorinate to roughly 10 ppm and run the pump several hours before the storm arrives. The extra sanitizer gives the water a fighting chance against the flood of organic debris, dirt, and rainwater that's coming.
3. Shut off power at the breaker
Turn off all pool equipment — pump, heater, lights, chlorinator — at the circuit breaker, not just the timer. If your equipment pad sits in a flood-prone spot, wrapping the pump motor in a waterproof cover (or removing it) can save you a full motor replacement.
4. Clear the deck — but never into the pool
Patio furniture, umbrellas, toys, and planters become projectiles in hurricane winds. Store them indoors or in the garage. Do not throw furniture into the pool "to protect it": metal parts stain and gouge the finish, and the chemicals damage the furniture. It also makes post-storm cleanup far harder.
5. Leave the pool uncovered
A pool cover will not survive hurricane winds and flying debris — you'll lose the cover and possibly damage the anchors. It's much easier to clean debris out of the water than to replace a shredded cover. Water doesn't get hurt by wind.
What should you do during the storm?
Nothing. Everything is off, secured, and stable — stay inside and away from the pool area. Never attempt to adjust equipment or water levels during the storm.
How do you recover a pool after a hurricane?
1. Safety check before power
Before restoring breakers, confirm the equipment pad is dry and undamaged. If the pump motor was submerged or you see any damaged wiring, leave the power off and have it professionally inspected — a flooded motor that "still runs" often fails weeks later.
2. Remove debris by hand and net
Use a leaf net and your hands for branches and large debris. Don't send storm debris through your pool vacuum or skimmer lines — palm fronds and twigs clog plumbing.
3. Drain excess rainwater to mid-skimmer
Use the filter's waste setting or a submersible pump to bring the water back down to the midpoint of the skimmer opening — never lower.
4. Clean, restart, and run 24 hours
Empty pump and skimmer baskets, clean or backwash the filter, restore power, and run the pump continuously for 24 hours to turn the water over.
5. Test, rebalance, and shock again
Storm rain and debris wreck water chemistry. Test everything, rebalance pH and alkalinity, shock the pool, and brush all surfaces. Keep everyone out of the water until chlorine and pH are back in normal range and the water is clear — our complete Florida pool maintenance guide covers the target numbers for every parameter.
What should you do before hurricane season even starts?
The best storm prep happens before the first advisory: trim palms and overhanging branches near the pool, confirm your deck drains are clear, and make sure equipment bolts and enclosure panels are secure. If a storm dumps debris faster than you can manage — or your pool turns green despite your best efforts — our weekly maintenance team handles storm recovery across Weston, Davie, Pembroke Pines, and all of Broward County.
Suspect the storm caused a leak — water level dropping faster than evaporation explains? Get a professional leak detection visit before small damage becomes structural. And for anything else, contact Blue Clair Pool — we've been through these seasons with our clients for years.
