How Hurricanes and Floods Affect Home Air Quality: Tips for Protection

Learn how hurricanes and floods impact home air quality and discover tips to protect yourself from harmful air pollutants and allergens.

Beyond the visible destruction, hurricanes and flooding — like other types of natural disasters — can significantly impact your home’s indoor air quality. While it’s sometimes easier to assess the property damage caused by strong winds and high waters, it’s seemingly — and mistakenly — less urgent to address indoor air quality issues. The truth is, hurricanes and the flooding that follows can do more than cause structural damage. They can also bring harmful air pollutants and allergens into your home.

During hurricanes, heavy rainfall and storm surges can bring in various contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, mold spores and chemicals from damaged buildings. If you used an air quality test kit, you’d find these pollutants can linger even after the floodwaters have receded. It’s important to understand the risk to indoor air quality during this type of natural disaster and take preventive steps before, during and after a hurricane.

Harmful effects of high winds and standing water on air quality

Along with their threat to property and physical safety, hurricanes and flooding can usher in a host of harmful contaminants. Strong winds from hurricanes can force outdoor air pollutants like dust, pollen and debris into your home through small cracks, windows and doors. They can also stir up mold spores, bacteria and other contaminants already present indoors.

Floodwaters often contain toxic substances, including oil, garbage, chemicals and more — no matter if it originated as rainwater or another clean source. Once the storm has passed, the standing water becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and mold that can become airborne. High humidity is also an exacerbating factor that can amplify airborne contaminants.

Ways to minimize contaminants in your home

There are many tasks you can do before, during, and after a hurricane to help minimize contaminants.

Before a hurricane

• Seal windows, doors and vents: Prevent outdoor air pollutants from entering your home.
• Replace HVAC Filters: Use high-efficiency options like Filtrete™ Air Filters with MPR 1900 or MPR 2500 (MPR stands for microparticle performance rating).
• Invest in a dehumidifier: Manage post-storm moisture.

During a hurricane

• Turn off HVAC system: Avoid spreading waterborne contaminants through ducts.
• Use backup generators safely: Place them outside to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

After a hurricane

• Remove standing water: Dry out affected areas immediately.
• Use dehumidifiers: Control moisture levels.
• Invest in air purifiers: Capture airborne particles like dust, mold spores and allergens.
• Ventilate your home: If outdoor air quality allows, open windows to reduce air stagnation. Check the EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI) or use the Filtrete™ Smart App for updates.

For a more comprehensive list of precautions you can take to prepare your home for a hurricane, click here.

Post-hurricane air quality precautions

Once the immediate danger of a hurricane has passed, it’s still essential to take precautions to continue to protect your home air quality.
 

• Use high-efficiency air filters: Continue using filters like Filtrete MPR 1900 or 2500 to trap fine particles and mold spores.
• Wet-cleaning methods: Use mops to reduce dust in the air.
• Schedule professional HVAC cleaning: Ensure duct systems are free of contaminants.
• Wear protective equipment: Use disposable respirators and gloves during renovations.
• Seal off work areas: Use plastic sheeting to contain particles.
• Ensure proper air ventilation: Use fans or keep windows open to flush out fumes and dust.

To read more about the dos and don’ts of what to do during hurricane cleanup, click here.

Be prepared to protect your home air quality

Protecting your home’s air quality is a vital part of storm preparedness and recovery. It might be easy to overlook indoor air quality when hurricanes and flooding pose a more immediate risk to your health and safety, but it is important nonetheless to add these steps to your storm preparation. Read more about the ways you can prepare and protect yourself for hurricanes and floods.