Living in Florida comes with a lot of perks — sunshine, warm weather, and the ability to swim nearly year-round. However, it also means dealing with hurricane season, which runs from June through November. If you’re a pool owner in Tampa Bay, it’s important to know how to prepare your pool for a hurricane.
The good news is that pools are actually more resilient than most people think when it comes to hurricanes. That said, there are still important steps you should take to minimize damage, protect your equipment, and get your pool back up and running quickly after the storm passes. Here’s everything you need to know.
Do NOT Drain Your Pool Before a Hurricane
This is the most common mistake pool owners make, and it’s worth addressing right away. Many people assume that draining their pool before a storm will prevent it from overflowing or causing damage. In reality, draining your pool before a hurricane can cause far more harm than good.
Here’s why: your pool shell is designed to hold water. Without that weight, the hydrostatic pressure from saturated soil during heavy rainfall can literally pop the pool shell out of the ground — a phenomenon called “pool float” or “pool pop.” This type of structural damage is extremely expensive to repair and is entirely avoidable.
Instead of draining your pool, keep it full. The water weight is what keeps the pool anchored in the ground during and after heavy rain. If your pool does overflow during the storm, that’s a much easier problem to deal with than a popped shell.
Lower the Water Level Slightly
While you should never fully drain your pool, it is a good idea to lower the water level by about 2 to 3 inches before a major storm. This creates a little extra capacity to absorb the heavy rainfall that typically accompanies a hurricane without causing the pool to overflow onto your deck, into your home’s foundation, or into your neighbors’ yards.
You can lower the water level using your pump’s waste setting or by using a submersible pump to remove a small amount of water. This simple step takes only a few minutes and can save a lot of cleanup headaches after the storm.
Shock Your Pool Before the Storm
Before a hurricane hits, it’s a smart idea to shock your pool with a higher-than-normal dose of chlorine or pool shock. Heavy rainfall dilutes your pool’s chemical balance significantly, and floodwater, debris, and runoff can introduce bacteria and algae that throw your water chemistry way off.
By super-chlorinating the water before the storm, you give your pool a head start on fighting off contaminants. Additionally, this pre-storm treatment means you’ll need fewer chemicals afterward to restore the water to a safe, swimmable state. It’s a small investment in time and money that pays off quickly once you’re cleaning up post-storm.
Turn Off and Protect Your Pool Equipment
Your pool’s mechanical equipment — the pump, filter, heater, automation system, and lighting — is one of the most valuable and vulnerable parts of your pool setup. Taking a few steps to protect this equipment before the storm can save you thousands of dollars in repairs or replacements.
- Turn off the power at the circuit breaker: Don’t just turn off the pump at the control panel — shut off the breaker entirely. This protects your equipment from power surges and lightning strikes, which are common during Florida thunderstorms and hurricanes.
- Do not cover the equipment with tarps: It may seem counterintuitive, but covering your pool equipment with plastic tarps can trap moisture and actually cause more damage. Pool equipment is designed to withstand rain exposure. What it can’t handle is being submerged or holding trapped condensation for days.
- Leave the filter running until the storm is imminent: Keep your pump and filter running as long as it’s safe to do so. Circulating water helps distribute the pre-storm shock chemicals and keeps your water balanced for as long as possible before you shut the system down.
Remove or Secure All Pool Accessories
High winds are one of the most destructive forces in a hurricane, and unsecured pool accessories become dangerous projectiles in strong gusts. Before the storm arrives, walk around your pool area and remove or secure everything that could become a wind hazard.
Items to bring inside or store securely:
- Pool floats, toys, and inflatables
- Lounge chairs, patio furniture, and umbrellas
- Pool cleaning equipment like skimmer nets, brushes, and poles
- Potted plants, decorations, and any loose landscaping elements
- Pool covers, solar blankets, and cover reels
One important note: do not put your pool cover on during a hurricane. Most standard pool covers are not designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and can actually trap debris, create dangerous suction, or be torn apart and become a hazard. The exception would be a properly installed, hurricane-rated safety cover — but even then, check the manufacturer’s recommendations first.
What Florida’s Hurricane Preparedness Guidelines Say
Florida takes hurricane preparedness seriously, and the state provides resources to help homeowners plan ahead. The Florida Division of Emergency Management offers comprehensive guidance on preparing your home and property before a storm — including advice on outdoor structures, equipment, and utilities. We recommend bookmarking their site and signing up for local alerts well before hurricane season begins.
Furthermore, homeowners with pool automation systems should make sure their system is set to “service mode” or fully powered off before the storm. Many smart pool systems can be managed remotely through an app, which is helpful if you’re evacuating and need to shut things down from a distance. For more information on how pool automation can make your life easier — including during storm season — check out our post on whether a pool automation system is worth it.
After the Storm: Getting Your Pool Back to Normal
Once the storm has passed and it’s safe to be outside, you’ll want to get your pool back to a clean, swimmable state as quickly as possible. Here’s the process to follow:
- Step 1 — Remove debris carefully: Use a skimmer net to remove leaves, branches, and any debris from the pool surface and bottom before running your pump. Running the pump with large debris in the water can clog or damage your filter.
- Step 2 — Restore power gradually: Before turning the power back on at the breaker, visually inspect all equipment for signs of flooding, damage, or debris intrusion. If anything looks compromised, call a pool professional before restoring power.
- Step 3 — Test and rebalance the water: After a hurricane, your pool water chemistry will almost certainly be off. Test the water and adjust pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and chlorine levels before anyone swims. It may take a full day or two of circulation and chemical treatment to fully restore balance.
- Step 4 — Run the pump continuously: After the storm, run your pump 24 hours a day until the water clears. Continuous circulation helps filter out fine particles and distributes chemicals evenly throughout the pool.
- Step 5 — Watch for algae: Warm temperatures, diluted chemicals, and organic debris create ideal conditions for algae growth. If you notice your water turning green or cloudy in the days after the storm, treat it aggressively with algaecide and shock before it gets worse.
Inspect for Structural Damage
After the water clears, carefully inspect your pool for any structural damage. Most pools survive hurricanes without significant structural issues, but it’s worth checking for:
- Cracks in the pool shell, tile, or coping
- Damage to the pool deck, especially settling or cracking near the pool edge
- Signs of equipment damage — unusual noises, leaks, or failure to prime
- Damage to pool lighting, water features, or automation components
If you notice anything that looks concerning, don’t hesitate to call a professional pool contractor for an assessment. Catching and addressing minor issues early — before they become major problems — is always the right move.
Gulfstream Pools & Spas Is Here When You Need Us
Hurricane season is a reality of life in Tampa Bay, but it doesn’t have to be a source of stress for pool owners. By following these steps, you can protect your pool investment, minimize post-storm cleanup, and get back to enjoying your backyard as quickly as possible.
At Gulfstream Pools & Spas, we’ve built pools throughout the Tampa Bay area and we understand what it takes to design a pool that holds up through Florida’s toughest weather. Whether you need post-storm repairs, a pool inspection, or you’re considering building a new pool that’s designed to weather the elements, our team is ready to help.
Give us a call at (813) 925-0909 or visit GulfstreamPools.com to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation. We’re proud to serve homeowners across Tampa Bay — and we’re here for you before, during, and after storm season.