Grey Shark Pool Services
Oak Island pool with storm clouds approaching over the coastal treeline

Storm & Hurricane Prep

What to do before, during, and after a major storm to protect your pool, your equipment, and your family. Steps from CPO-certified professionals on Oak Island.

personBy Rob Breault, CPO & CPIupdateLast updated: February 2026

The short version: Do not drain your pool. Do not cover it. Turn off all equipment at the breaker, secure loose items, and shock the water before the storm arrives. After the storm, inspect equipment for damage before restoring power, then clean and rebalance.

What Should I Do Before a Hurricane?

Preparation is the most important phase. According to FEMA storm preparedness guidelines and the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), everything you do before the storm determines how quickly your pool recovers afterward.

1
Secure loose items. Store patio furniture, pool toys, floats, skimmer lids, and anything that could become airborne. Flying debris is the primary cause of storm damage to pools and pool enclosures.
2
Trim overhanging branches. Cut back any limbs that could fall into the pool during high winds. This reduces post-storm debris and prevents structural damage to the pool deck or coping.
3
Shock the water. Add a double dose of chlorine (liquid sodium hypochlorite preferred) to raise free chlorine to 10 ppm or higher. Storm runoff, rain, and debris will consume chlorine rapidly. Starting high gives you a buffer.
4
Turn off all equipment. Shut off power at the main breaker for your pool equipment, including the pump, heater, salt system, and automation. Turn off gas lines to heaters. This prevents electrical surges and equipment damage during the storm.
5
Remove the pool cover. Contrary to instinct, you should remove safety covers and solar covers. High winds can catch covers like a sail, damaging the cover, its anchors, and the pool deck.

Do NOT Drain Your Pool

An empty or partially drained pool can physically lift out of the ground when the surrounding soil becomes saturated with rainwater. This is called hydrostatic uplift and it can cause catastrophic structural damage. Keep the water level at its normal operating height or slightly above the bottom of the skimmer.

What Should I Do During the Storm?

Stay Inside. Stay Safe.

Do not attempt to remove water or debris from the pool during the storm. Do not go near the pool area. Lightning, flying debris, and rising water make the pool deck one of the most dangerous places on your property during a hurricane or tropical storm. Follow local emergency guidelines and protect your family first. The pool can wait.

How Do I Clean Up My Pool After a Hurricane?

Once conditions are safe and you can inspect your property, work through these steps in order. Do not rush to turn equipment back on.

1
Inspect for structural damage. Check the pool shell for lifting, cracking, bubbling, or shifting. If you see any signs of structural compromise, stop immediately and contact your pool builder or Grey Shark Pool Services.
2
Check electrical equipment. Before restoring power, inspect your pump, heater, salt cell, and automation panel for water intrusion, debris, or visible damage. If any equipment shows signs of flooding, do not energize it. Call a qualified technician.
3
Drain excess water. If the pool has overfilled from rainfall, use the waste/drain setting on your multiport valve or a submersible pump to lower the water to normal operating level.
4
Remove debris. Start with large items by hand: branches, leaves, furniture. Clean the skimmer and pump baskets. Vacuum remaining sand and fine debris to waste so it does not clog your filter.
5
Restart equipment. Once inspected and cleared, restore power at the breaker. Run the pump and verify normal operation. Listen for unusual sounds. Check for leaks at unions and fittings.
6
Test and rebalance water. Storm runoff introduces contaminants, dilutes sanitizer, and shifts pH and alkalinity. Shock the pool immediately, then have the water professionally tested. A full panel (FC, TC, pH, TA, CH, CYA, phosphates, TDS) is recommended after any major weather event.
7
Inspect gas heaters separately. If your gas heater sustained any water intrusion or physical damage, do not attempt to fire it. Have a certified gas technician inspect it before use.

Coastal Considerations for Oak Island

Oak Island and the Brunswick County coast face unique storm risks that inland pools do not. Storm surge, saltwater intrusion, and wind-driven sand can create recovery challenges beyond typical rainfall and debris.

If saltwater from storm surge enters your pool, it will shift your TDS and chloride levels significantly. Salt-chlorine generators may show false readings until the water is properly diluted and rebalanced. Sand accumulation on the pool bottom should be vacuumed to waste rather than through the filter media, as fine coastal sand can damage filter internals.

For rental properties, we recommend a post-storm inspection before any guest arrival. Storm damage is not always visible from the deck. Cracked plumbing, compromised seals, and electrical issues may only surface when the system is under load. We perform full post-storm assessments and can have your pool guest-ready within 24 to 48 hours of conditions clearing.

When Should I Call a Professional After a Storm?

Some post-storm conditions require professional assessment. Contact your pool service company immediately if you encounter any of the following:

  • The pool shell has lifted, cracked, or shifted position
  • Equipment shows signs of water intrusion or electrical damage
  • The gas heater was submerged or physically damaged
  • Water remains green or cloudy after 48 hours of treatment
  • You detect any gas smell near the equipment pad
  • Underground plumbing appears to have lost pressure or is leaking

Related Guides

Understanding Chlorine

Chlorine types and when to use each one

pH Balance

Why pH shifts after storms and how to correct it

Total Alkalinity

The pH buffer that rainwater dilutes first

Need Post-Storm Pool Service?

Our CPO-certified technicians handle post-storm assessments, debris removal, equipment inspections, and full water rebalancing. We can have your pool back in service within 24 to 48 hours.

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