Hurricane Pool Prep and Post-Storm Cleanup
Do not drain the pool before a hurricane: the weight of the water helps hold it in the ground. Shock it, turn the power off at the breaker, and keep it full. After the storm, test the water, clear debris, and treat any pool that took in floodwater as contaminated.
On this page (9 sections)
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30 (National Hurricane Center). This guide follows Florida pool and university sources and the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA). Local evacuation orders and your pool builder's advice come first.
The water-level myth: do not drain
Some people lower the water so rain cannot overflow it. The sources we read say the opposite. The Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) says the weight of the water keeps the pool from being lifted off its foundation and "popping" out of the ground because of high groundwater. A partly drained pool can be pushed up when the soil around it is saturated. The University of Florida's Extension service (UF/IFAS) adds that partial draining risks cracking the pool, burning out pump motors, and a big water bill if the storm misses you.
If rain overfills the pool, FSPA says to drain only down to the normal level. After the storm, UF/IFAS says to wait until the surrounding ground dries, then lower the water to mid-tile or halfway up the skimmer. The normal range is on the pool water level page. PHTA says that if you are uncertain about the ground water level in your area, you should not drain the pool.
Before the storm
| Step | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Keep the pool full | Do not drain or partially drain it | FSPA, UF/IFAS |
| Shock the pool | Shock to protect water quality in case of a power outage. The dose comes from the product label | FSPA, UF/IFAS |
| Power | Turn off the breakers for pool equipment and cover exposed electrical equipment | FSPA |
| Pump during the storm | UF/IFAS says to keep the pump running while power lasts. FSPA says to turn the breakers off before the storm. See the note below | UF/IFAS, FSPA |
| Furniture | Do not put patio furniture or accessories in the pool: it causes corrosion and permanent stains | UF/IFAS |
| Chemicals | Store pool chemicals dry, sealed, and apart from each other, off the floor if flooding is possible | Our suggestion. PHTA warns that flooded chemicals are a hazard |
| Baskets and filter | Empty the skimmer and pump baskets and clean the filter | Our suggestion |
Pump on or off? The two sources differ. UF/IFAS suggests running the pump while power is on to keep water moving through the filter. FSPA says to turn the breakers off and cover electrical equipment before the storm. A practical way to reconcile them is to run the pump until shortly before the storm arrives, then switch the breakers off. That is our reading, not a rule from either source. Follow local officials' instructions.
Pre-loading chlorine
FSPA and UF/IFAS both say to shock before the storm. Neither gives a target in ppm. We could not find a published number, so we do not give one. Use the shock dose on your product's label for your pool size, and see how to shock a pool. Rain and debris use up chlorine in the days after a storm. Keep FC above the minimum for your stabilizer level on the pool chlorine levels page.
Safety. Never mix chlorine and acid. Add chemicals to the water, never water to chemicals. Wear gloves and eye protection, and keep chemicals stored apart and sealed. Always follow the product label. It is a violation of federal law to use a pesticide product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222.
Right after the storm: safety first
- Look for hazards. UF/IFAS lists downed power lines, snakes, and alligators. PHTA says to check the pool for wildlife once floodwaters recede, and to call animal control if it is dangerous.
- Treat all electrical equipment as unsafe. Before cleanup, make sure power to pool equipment, heaters, lights, and outlets is off at the main breaker. Do not touch a breaker with wet hands or while standing in water. FSPA says motors exposed to water should be checked by a professional. PHTA says repairing flooded electrical parts is not a do-it-yourself job.
- Do not swim. PHTA says not to use a pool that may have taken in floodwater.
- Check chemical storage. PHTA says chemicals that were wet or mixed during the storm can react violently. Do not touch damaged containers without gloves and goggles, and call the fire department or CHEMTREC if you are unsure.
Two kinds of storm pools
What you do next depends on what got into the pool. PHTA's flooded-pool bulletin is clear that homeowners must assume floodwater is contaminated with chemicals, fertilizers, oils, gasoline, sewage, bacteria, silt, and debris.
| What happened | What to do |
|---|---|
| Rain and wind, debris, but no floodwater or storm surge reached the pool | Clear debris, check equipment, test, adjust chemistry, shock, filter. See the next section |
| Floodwater, storm surge, or sewage reached the pool | Follow the PHTA flooded-pool bulletin: no swimming, and drain only if groundwater allows. See the section after next |
If you are not sure, treat it as flooded. We could not find a published rule for how high floodwater must be to count, so a nearby overflowing creek or a yard under water is enough reason to use the flood path.
Rain-and-wind cleanup, step by step
- Clear large debris by hand or with a net, before it breaks down and stains the finish. UF/IFAS says to remove debris early, because decomposing leaves can leave stains.
- Do not pressure-wash toward the pool. UF/IFAS says overspray brings fertilizers, pesticides, paint chips, roofing material, and algae into the water.
- Empty the skimmer and pump baskets, then run the pump. Check the filter pressure and clean or backwash as your manual says.
- Test free chlorine, pH, and alkalinity. See the pool chemistry chart for targets, and pool after rain for what rain does to the numbers.
- Shock again if needed. UF/IFAS says a second shock is likely needed after the storm. Use the label dose. The shock cannot remove fertilizer or other chemicals that washed in, UF/IFAS adds.
- Brush the walls and floor, then run the pump around the clock until the water is clear and FC holds.
- Bring the level back to normal. Wait until the ground has dried first.
Recovery by how long the pump was off
We could not find a published schedule that ties recovery steps to the number of days without a pump. FSPA and UF/IFAS give the steps above, not a timetable. The table below is our way of organizing the same steps by what you see. The groupings are our suggestion.
| Pump off about | Likely state | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| A day or two | Water often still clear; chlorine lower than before | Debris out, test, adjust, shock, run the pump until clear |
| Several days | Cloudy or green tint likely in warm weather; chlorine at or near zero | Treat as a green pool: brush, shock, filter until clear. See green pool and algae types |
| A week or more, or you cannot start repairs | Dark green, stagnant, mosquito risk | Treat the pool as abandoned until repaired: barrier fence, and a larvicide if you cannot sanitize it (PHTA) |
PHTA says untreated, unfiltered pool water can pose health risks from injuries, illness, wildlife, and mosquitos. Block access with a temporary safety fence, since loose or damaged covers can collect water and become a drowning hazard. If you add a larvicide, PHTA says the pool must be completely drained before anyone uses it, so follow the label or hire a licensed pesticide professional.
If floodwater reached the pool
PHTA's bulletin on flooded pools and spas says that after hurricane rain or storm surge it is not practical to find out what is in the water. Its recommendation is to drain the pool, purge the plumbing lines, and replace the filter media. It also warns that high groundwater can make a drained pool pop out of the ground. Make sure a hydrostatic release valve is installed and working, or do not drain. A pool professional can tell you what is safe for your area, and your local water and sewer authority sets rules for where contaminated water can go.
- Turn off power and check for wildlife. Do not touch electrical parts that were underwater.
- Check the main drain covers and look for damage to the shell, bonding wires, and decking. Call a pool professional about any damage.
- Drain, only if it is safe for the groundwater in your area. Brush and rinse the sides as the level drops.
- Remove debris, organic matter, and silt. Clean surfaces with a pool-safe cleaner. PHTA names 10% muriatic acid (1 part acid slowly added to 10 parts water) or liquid bleach. If you do both, acid wash first, rinse thoroughly, and never mix chlorine and acid solutions.
- Purge the lines and replace the filter media. Confirm the pump, heater, and controls work, with a licensed electrician if they were wet.
- Refill with clean water. PHTA says not to use untreated well water after a flood, because it is likely contaminated. Truck in water from a reliable source if you need to.
- Balance and sanitize the water. Use the pool chemical calculator and go slowly with your tests.
For hard surfaces that touched floodwater (deck, coping, ladders, rails), PHTA says to clean with hot water and detergent first, then sanitize with a bleach solution. Its 500 ppm recipe:
| Bleach type | Amount of bleach |
|---|---|
| Low-splash, 3.5% sodium hypochlorite | 1/4 cup |
| Standard, 6.0% sodium hypochlorite | 7 teaspoons |
| Concentrated, 8.25% sodium hypochlorite | 5 teaspoons |
Never mix bleach with ammonia. Make a new solution each day because it weakens over time. Wear rubber boots, chemical-resistant gloves, and safety glasses with side shields, and wash your hands with soap and boiled or disinfected water. Always follow the product label.
FAQ
Should I drain my pool before a hurricane?
No. FSPA and UF/IFAS both say to keep it full. The weight of the water holds the pool in the ground against groundwater pressure, and a partly drained pool can crack or pop out.
Should I shock the pool before a storm?
Yes, both FSPA and UF/IFAS recommend it. Use the label dose for your pool, and plan on a second shock after the storm.
Should I turn the pool pump off during a hurricane?
FSPA says to turn the breakers off and cover electrical equipment before the storm. UF/IFAS says to keep the pump running while power is available. Run it until shortly before the storm, then turn the breakers off, and follow local instructions.
What do I do with my pool after a hurricane?
Check for hazards, keep the power off until it is safe, clear debris, test and shock, and bring the water level back to normal once the ground dries. If floodwater got in, follow the PHTA flooded-pool steps.
Why is my pool green after a storm?
Storms use up chlorine with debris and runoff, and the pump is often off. Algae take off in warm water once chlorine falls. See green pool for the fix.
Sources
- Florida Swimming Pool Association, Hurricane preparedness (do not drain, breakers off, shock): fspa.com
- UF/IFAS Extension, Indian River County, Pools and hurricanes (May 2024): ifas.ufl.edu
- PHTA Technical Bulletin, Flooded swimming pools and spas (revised September 2017): phta.org
- PHTA, Treating flooded pools and spas, Aqua Magazine Tech Notes, August 2019: phta.org
- National Hurricane Center, Climatology (season dates): nhc.noaa.gov