Natural Disasters

Rising Above in Coastal Flood Zones

To survive the next big storm, more and more houses will need a lift. It's a smart move seen around the country—and in the Spring 2013 season of This Old House.

How to Build a Fireproof Home Using ICF Blocks

Insulated concrete forms—combined with flame-resistant roofing and siding—make for one safe house.

How to Escape a Fire

Keep your family safe with these safety tips for escaping a fire.

14 Supplies to Help You Prepare for a Blizzard

What you need to prepare for a snowstorm so you have the essentials before, during, and after an emergency strikes.

When choosing a restoration company to preserve and protect your home after a crisis, it’s important to do your homework. In this ServiceMaster Restore review, we examine the company’s services, availability, and reputation to help you determine if it’s right for your restoration needs.

SERVPRO Restoration Review (2022)

With thousands of locations across the country, SERVPRO offers professional cleaning and restoration services for homes and businesses that require mold removal or have been damaged by flooding, fires, or other disasters. Learn about the benefits and the drawbacks of the company in this SERVPRO restoration review.

Understanding the Dangers of Home Fires

Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor visits Underwriters Laboratories outside of Chicago to see first hand how dangerous fires can be.

How to Prepare for a Flood

No homeowner wants to deal with the destruction that a flood can bring, but the fact is that these natural disasters are a frequent occurrence in certain areas of the country and a possibility just about everywhere else. It’s best to always be prepared for the worst.

How to Safeguard Your House from Wildfires

Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor learns about ways to make a home more resistant to wildfires.

How to Stop Your Basement From Flooding

Afraid of water in the basement? Avoid a flooding disaster with damage-prevention specialist Michael Milligan.

Disaster Supply Kit: How to Prepare for Severe Weather

This Old House host Kevin O'Connor and Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel discuss how to prepare for the next big storm and list out what severe weather supplies you’ll need.

View of palm trees blowing in the wind outside the window.

How to Choose Hurricane Window Covers

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows a homeowner several ways to protect windows during a storm.

Whole-House Battery Backup

Their numbers are still small, but home battery backup systems may be the wave of the future.

Hurricane Proof House: What You Need to Protect

Easy, affordable things you can do to protect your home and property from storm damage.

How to Retrofit a Home for an Earthquake

Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor travels to Portland, Oregon to learn how to protect homes from earthquakes.

How to Prepare for Storms and Natural Disasters

Be prepared to protect your family and your home when disaster strikes.

How to Wire a Portable Generator

Ask This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman explains a few different methods for hooking up a portable generator to a house.

Meteorologist Jim Cantore on Lightning

Meteorologist Jim Cantore discusses his biggest weather fear, lightning, and he shares tips with Kevin and Roger on staying safe during a lightning storm

How to Install Whole House Lightning Protection

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook travels to central Florida to install a lightning protection system

3 Things to Do Before a Storm

Do these simple tasks before severe weather hits to help minimize or even prevent costly damage to your home

Coming Home After Hurricane Harvey

Ask This Old House host Kevin O’Connor meets a woman whose home is being rebuilt by Habitat for Humanity and pitches in with the rest of guys.

Free Tools for Hurricane Harvey Relief

Ask This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook helps the Houston Community Tool Bank put together a rental order for Harvey relief.

Cleaning Out Mud and Mold After Hurricane Harvey

Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey partners with SEND Relief to clean out mold-ravaged homes after Hurricane Harvey.

Demolishing a Home Damaged by Hurricane Harvey

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva works with Team Rubicon to tear down a home damaged by Hurricane Harvey

Winter Weather Tips with Meteorologist Jim Cantore

Ask This Old House host Kevin O'Connor speaks with meteorologist Jim Cantore about winter weather and how climate change is affecting it.

Smart, Safe Storm Cleanup Tips

Getting your home back into shape after big weather may require more than a broom and a mop. Here's a collection of our best pro advice for managing the aftermath

How to Prepare Your Home for Emergencies

Be ready when disaster strikes by keeping these items on hand

On Being Scared: Bump in the Night—and the Day

TOH editor Scott Omelianuk talks about the natural disasters that can give an all-grown-up homeowner a case of the shivers

Hurricane Prep: Storm Safety Checklist

Here's what you should do if a storm watch or warning is issued where you live.

Water, Water Everywhere

When the basement floods, here's how to beat back the tide

Dealing with Household Disasters

Floods happen. So do collapsed ceilings, trapped critters, and smoke-belching fireplaces. But with our homeowner survival tips, you'll know just what to do when trouble strikes

This Roof Resists Hurricanes, Collects Water

Bermuda's limestone roofs withstand hurricanes and collect precious rainwater

Natural Disasters

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