Getting your home ready for the rainy and hurricane season in Las Terrenas

When to prepare

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November. Heavy downpours, on the other hand, can happen at other times of the year too. The simplest approach is to go over the house before hurricane season begins, then keep good habits all year round.

During the season, follow the bulletins issued by the Dominican authorities and official weather services, and do what they advise. This guide is about preparing the house; it does not replace their instructions.

Gutters, downpipes and drains

Rainwater needs to drain away quickly, and away from the house.

• Have gutters and downpipes cleaned: leaves, flowers, sand and nests block them fast.
• Check that downpipes discharge well away from the foundations, not towards the house or a neighbour's property.
• Clear channels, grates, terrace floor drains and inspection chambers.
• Note where water pools after a downpour: driveway, slopes, the base of walls. A professional can suggest drainage that suits your plot.

Roof and waterproofing

• Have the roof inspected by a professional: covering, fixings, joints, palm-thatch (cana) roofs, and the waterproofing of terraces and flat roofs.
• Get small leaks fixed before the season starts: heavy rain makes them worse.
• Have the fixings checked on anything mounted up high: aerials, solar panels or water heaters, air-conditioning units.
• Do not climb onto the roof yourself, especially when it is wet.

Trees and garden

• Have dead branches removed, along with any that hang over the roof, pool, cars or cables. Near power lines, this is strictly a job for professionals.
• Coconuts and palm fronds can come down in strong wind: have them removed by someone with the right equipment.
• Take garden waste away rather than leaving it in piles, where it ends up blocking drains.
• A tree that leans, is split or whose roots are lifting the ground should be looked at by a professional.

Cistern and water supply

Many homes rely on an underground cistern (cisterna) or a rooftop tank (tinaco).

• Make sure lids and hatches close properly, so that runoff, debris and insects cannot get in.
• If needed, have a plumber clean the cistern and check the pump.
• Keep a supply of bottled drinking water.
• After flooding, or if the water changes colour or smell, do not drink it until it has been checked.

Power: inverter, batteries and generator

Rain and wind can cause power cuts.

• Have the inverter, batteries and generator checked by an electrician before the season.
• Never run a generator in a closed room, a garage or near doors and windows, because of the risk of carbon monoxide.
• Ask the electrician how to protect your appliances during outages and when the power comes back.
• Keep torches, spare batteries and charged power banks to hand.
• If there is water near the electrical panel or sockets, a burning smell or a cable down on the ground, do not touch anything and move away. If there is immediate danger, call 911.

Outdoor items, doors and windows

In strong wind, anything that is not secured can be blown around and cause damage.

• Plan how you will bring in or tie down garden furniture, umbrellas, cushions, plant pots, bins and pool equipment.
• If the house has hurricane shutters or protective panels, check they are complete and in good condition, and that someone knows how to put them up. To have them made or fitted, use a professional.
• Check the seals and latches on doors and windows.
• Store important papers and electronics up high, in waterproof containers.

If you will be away during the season

• Leave the house in the care of someone you trust or a concierge service, with the keys and access they need.
• Write down a simple plan: who prepares the house when an alert is announced, who checks it after a storm, and how you will be kept informed (for example, photos sent over WhatsApp).
• Leave a list of your usual providers: electrician, plumber, gardener, pool technician.
• Take dated photos of the house before you leave.
• Check with your insurer yourself what your policy covers (water, wind, hurricanes) and whether special conditions apply when the property is unoccupied.

Our guide to longer absences, in the guides section, goes further.

Pre-season checklist

• Gutters, downpipes and drains cleared
• Roof and terraces inspected, small repairs done
• Trees trimmed
• Cistern closed and checked, bottled water stocked
• Inverter, batteries and generator checked by an electrician
• A plan to bring in or secure outdoor items
• Shutters and protective panels checked
• Absence plan and useful contacts shared
• Insurance policy reread

See also our Emergency page for what to do if there is danger.

Good practice

• Ask for a written quote with details before any work starts, and compare several when you can.
• Do not pay the full amount up front: prefer a deposit, then payments tied to progress.
• Check references: previous jobs and past clients you can contact.

Finding a professional

To get your home ready before the season, send a request: only your WhatsApp number is required. Our team will call you back to understand what you need and suggest a professional; your request is only passed on to them with your consent. This form is not an emergency service: if there is immediate danger, call 911.