Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 through November 30, and if you own a pool anywhere across East Pasco, Hillsborough, Polk, or Manatee County, your pool is one of the most vulnerable parts of your property when a storm hits. Flooding, flying debris, power loss, and chemical contamination can turn a well-maintained pool into a costly repair within hours. The good news: most storm damage is preventable with the right preparation.
This guide walks residential and commercial pool owners across the Tampa Bay area through exactly what to do before, during, and after a hurricane to protect your investment and recover safely.
Why Pool Preparation Matters Before a Storm
Taking the proper precautions before, during, and after a storm minimizes damage to your pool, equipment, and surrounding property. A few hours of preparation can save thousands in equipment replacement and structural repairs. It also protects your family and neighbors from the safety hazards a damaged pool creates, from electrical faults to contaminated standing water.
Before the Storm: 6 Essential Steps
1. Balance Your Water Chemistry
Properly balanced water resists contamination and algae growth during the days a storm may leave you without power. Shock your pool approximately 24 hours before the storm arrives.
Need help getting your chemistry dialed in before a storm? Our water chemistry management and maintenance service covers exactly this.
2. Do Not Drain Your Pool
This is the single most common and most damaging mistake. Do not drain your pool. An empty or partially drained pool can float, crack, and cause structural damage from rising groundwater, a real risk across low-lying areas of Pasco and Hillsborough. Only lower the water a few inches below the skimmer opening, and only if a pool professional advises it for your specific situation.
3. Secure Outdoor Furniture and Loose Items
Flying debris causes more pool damage than wind alone. Remove or secure patio furniture, umbrellas, pool toys and floats, trash cans, planters, and grills and decorations. Anything that can become airborne can crack tile, tear liners, or damage equipment.
4. Remove and Store Loose Equipment
Store these indoors before the storm: robotic cleaners, automatic vacuums, pool poles and brushes, leaf nets and test kits, and floats and toys.
5. Turn Off the Pool Heater
Turn off power to gas heaters, heat pumps, and electric heaters, and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific unit. If your heater takes storm damage, our team handles pool heater installation and repair.
6. Clean the Pool
The cleaner your pool starts, the easier the cleanup will be. Before the storm: vacuum debris, empty skimmer baskets, empty the pump basket, and backwash or clean the filter if needed.
What About the Pump?
Keep it running, if it’s safe. If conditions remain safe and power is reliable, running the pump before the storm helps distribute chemicals throughout the water.
When winds become dangerous, turn everything off. Shut down the pool pump, booster pumps, pool heater, water features, and automation. Never operate electrical equipment if flooding is occurring.
Do Not Cover the Pool
It feels protective, but covering the pool before a hurricane usually causes more harm than good:
- Covers often become damaged.
- Anchors can fail.
- Debris collects and can tear the cover.
- Large amounts of standing water can collapse safety covers.
In most cases, leave the pool uncovered.
Chemical Storage Safety
Always secure your chemicals and keep incompatible chemicals separate. Chlorine and acid must never be allowed to mix, especially if flooding occurs. Store containers sealed, elevated, and in a location that won’t flood.
For Commercial Pool Operators, Property Managers & HOAs
If you manage a commercial property, apartment complex, or HOA pool anywhere from Tampa to Lakeland, add these steps before the storm:
- Verify emergency shutoff procedures.
- Secure chemical storage.
- Ensure chlorine and acid tanks are protected.
- Secure feeder lids and shut off automatic feeders.
- Remove deck furniture.
- Secure safety equipment.
- Notify staff of emergency procedures.
Commercial pools must meet all Florida DOH standards before reopening. Our CPO-certified technicians handle commercial and residential pool maintenance year-round.
After the Storm: Safe Recovery
1. Safety First
Before entering the equipment area, check for standing water, downed power lines, and electrical damage. If in doubt, call a professional. Do not restart submerged equipment until it has been inspected.
2. Inspect Equipment
Look for broken plumbing, flooded motors, damaged automation, cracked filters, broken valves, leaks, and electrical damage.
3. Remove Debris
Use a leaf rake and skimmer net. Avoid allowing branches, mulch, roofing materials, or construction debris to reach the pump.
4. Restore Water Chemistry
Test and balance free chlorine, combined chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, cyanuric acid, and calcium hardness. Shock the pool if necessary. If your pool has turned green, our green-to-clean acid wash and drain service can bring it back fast.
5. Clean the Filter
Storms often overload filters. Clean or backwash cartridge, DE, and sand filters as needed.
6. Commercial Pools
Before reopening: verify circulation, verify turnover rate, confirm sanitizer levels, ensure safety equipment, inspect fencing and gates, verify drain covers, and meet all DOH requirements.
When to Call Cooper Pools
Call us immediately if you notice any of the following after a storm:
- Equipment will not start
- Flooded equipment pad
- Broken plumbing
- Green or cloudy water
- Heavy debris
- Low circulation
- Leaks (we offer professional leak detection)
- Electrical concerns
- Damaged filters
- Broken automation systems
Protecting Tampa Bay Pools Before, During, and After Every Storm
Cooper Pools Inc. is a licensed and insured commercial and residential pool service company based in Zephyrhills, Florida, serving East Pasco, Hillsborough, Polk, and Manatee Counties since 2009. Our CPO-certified technicians provide emergency storm cleanup, equipment repair, leak detection, chemical rebalancing, and full pool recovery.
Florida Contractors License CPC1459240 | Fully Insured
Call 844-766-5256 or request a free service quote.
