Life Kit Episode Summary: "Protect Your Home This Hurricane Season"

Released on June 12, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of NPR's Life Kit, host Marielle Segarra delves into the pressing issue of hurricane preparedness, focusing specifically on safeguarding homes against the increasing threats of hurricanes and flooding. As climate change intensifies these natural disasters, understanding how to protect one's property and belongings becomes crucial. Marielle speaks with Jessica Mazaros, a climate and environment reporter at WUSF, who shares both her professional insights and personal experiences with hurricanes.

Personal Experiences with Hurricanes

Jessica Mazaros offers a firsthand account of dealing with Hurricane Milton last year. She recounts the exhausting experience of preparing her home for the storm:

"My fiancé and I are spending, you know, two nights in a row staying up till 1:00 am boarding up the house and then the floodwaters came in anyways from underneath the house. So needless to say, it was a really exhausting time."
— Jessica Mazaros [01:16]

Despite having only a few inches of rainwater—a relatively minor impact compared to others—Jessica's experience underscores the relentless effort required to brace for hurricanes. She emphasizes that while her situation was manageable, others faced much more devastating consequences, especially those dealing with saltwater intrusion, which can severely corrode structures and belongings.

Changes in Hurricane Patterns

The episode explores how hurricane seasons have evolved over the years, largely due to climate change. Jessica highlights the scientific perspective:

"We've had record warm waters recently. And warming waters, especially in the Gulf, are fueling these storms. Not only making them stronger, more powerful, but it's making them wetter. More precipitation."
— Jessica Mazaros [05:48]

She references a 2021 NASA study indicating a significant rise in the number of people living in flood-prone areas—an increase of 20 to 24% since 2000, which is ten times higher than previous models predicted. This surge is directly linked to extreme rainfall, rising sea levels, and more intense hurricanes, making flooding an increasingly common threat.

Assessing Your Home's Flood Risk

Understanding whether your home is at risk of flooding is the first step in hurricane preparedness. Jessica advises homeowners to utilize available resources:

"The first thing is you can always check FEMA's flood zones. There's maps, you know, at FloodSmart.gov. Once you type in your zip code, it'll tell you about the lower, moderate, or high flood risk coastal flooding, the riverine flooding, and the hurricane flooding risk."
— Jessica Mazaros [06:59]

Beyond online tools, she recommends engaging with neighbors to gain insights into the local flooding history:

"I think it just takes like asking certain questions when you have an inspector come and look at your house or just kind of eyeing it and saying, okay, like how does the lawn grade? What does this road look like? And asking people, like, what is the history here?"
— Jessica Mazaros [07:24]

This community-based approach provides a more nuanced understanding of one's specific risk factors, which may not always be apparent through digital maps alone.

Home Modification Tips for Flood Prevention

For homeowners looking to bolster their defenses against flooding, Jessica offers practical advice on modifying their homes:

1. Material Choices: Replace susceptible materials with more resilient alternatives.

   "Instead of drywall, using durock instead of carpet or wood floors, opt for the tile."
   — Jessica Mazaros [09:06]

2. Electrical Safety: Elevate electrical outlets to prevent short circuits caused by floodwaters.

   "Some people are raising their electrical outlets so the floodwaters don't short circuit the power lines."
   — Jessica Mazaros [09:06]

3. Baseboards and Windows: Use PVC baseboards that resist rot and install storm-proof windows to minimize water intrusion.

   "Instead of installing the same wooden baseboards that will rot when wet, use PVC baseboards."
   — Jessica Mazaros [09:06]

4. Roof Security: Implement roof clips to ensure the roof remains anchored to the home during high winds.

   "Maybe you get roof clips put on so that basically it clips the roof to the home itself so it won't just fly away."
   — Jessica Mazaros [09:06]

Jessica shares a case study of Steve Papola, whose home suffered four feet of storm surge during Hurricane Helene. The total cost for rebuilding his home amounted to approximately $145,000, covered by flood insurance:

"The water is not a game for the middle class or the lower middle class unless you're going to be able to insure properly and make sure that you have the ability to mitigate whatever type of loss comes with the storms."
— Steve Papola [10:33]

Advice for Renters

Renters are also vulnerable to flood damage, often with limited protective measures. Jessica emphasizes the importance of obtaining flood insurance, as standard renters insurance typically does not cover flood-related losses:

"Definitely, you have to get flood insurance. Regular renters insurance may not cover what you lose."
— Jessica Mazaros [12:24]

She also suggests practical steps for protecting valuable items, such as storing important documents and sentimental items in waterproof containers or relocating them to higher ground when evacuating.

Emotional Impact and Community Response

The ongoing cycle of hurricanes has taken a toll on residents' mental health. Jessica shares the anxiety experienced by individuals like Steve Papola, whose family remains displaced and constantly on edge awaiting the next storm:

"My wife is definitely getting anxiety every day that comes. She watches the weather every day of the week. She's listening to the weatherman intently. She has a lot of anxiety. It's starting to build up again."
— Steve Papola [13:45]

Jessica herself admits to struggling with anxiety due to the continuous rebuilding process:

"I'm feeling super anxious and it's coming out sideways. I think. You know, there's a lot of tension in my house because we still haven't even finished the rebuilding and so many people are in that position to not even feel like your home is safe yet."
— Jessica Mazaros [14:04]

Resources and Support

For those facing financial and emotional challenges due to flooding, Jessica points to several resources:

• FEMA Assistance: Applications for financial aid to help with home modifications and temporary housing are available post-hurricane.
• State Grants: Some states offer additional grants to support homeowners in rebuilding efforts.

Takeaways

Marielle Segarra distills the episode's insights into three key takeaways:

1. Assess Flood Risk:

   • Visit floodsmart.gov to determine your flood risk level.
   • Engage with neighbors and consult home inspectors for a comprehensive risk assessment.

2. Homeowners:

   • Consider modifying your home with flood-resistant materials like PVC baseboards and durock.
   • Install storm-proof windows and secure your roof to prevent damage.

3. Renters:

   • Obtain flood insurance in addition to standard renters insurance.
   • Protect important documents and sentimental items by storing them in waterproof containers or relocating them to higher ground.

Additionally, both homeowners and renters should always heed evacuation orders and ensure the safety of all household members.

Conclusion

Jessica Mazaros and Marielle Segarra highlight the increasing necessity of hurricane preparedness in the face of climate change. By understanding flood risks, making informed modifications, and accessing available resources, individuals can better protect their homes and loved ones. The episode serves as a crucial guide for anyone residing in hurricane-prone areas, emphasizing proactive measures to enhance resilience against natural disasters.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "My fiancé and I are spending, you know, two nights in a row staying up till 1:00am boarding up the house and then the floodwaters came in anyways from underneath the house."
  — Jessica Mazaros [01:16]

• "We've had record warm waters recently. And warming waters, especially in the Gulf, are fueling these storms. Not only making them stronger, more powerful, but it's making them wetter."
  — Jessica Mazaros [05:48]

• "The water is not a game for the middle class or the lower middle class unless you're going to be able to insure properly and make sure that you have the ability to mitigate whatever type of loss comes with the storms."
  — Steve Papola [10:33]

• "I'm feeling super anxious and it's coming out sideways. I think."
  — Jessica Mazaros [14:04]

Production Credits

This episode of Life Kit was produced by Margaret Serino, edited by Sylvie Douglas and Meghan Keane, with visuals edited by Beck Harlan and digital editing by Malika Gharib. Beth Donovan served as the executive producer, supported by production team members Andy Tagle and Claire Marie Schneider. Engineering support was provided by Simon Laszlo Jansen.

For more episodes on hurricane preparedness and other life hacks, visit npr.org/lifekit. Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter at npr.org/lifekitnewsletter and share your feedback or episode ideas by emailing us@lifekitpr.org.