Severe thunderstorms can hit Gainesville from spring through fall, and the remnants of Gulf hurricanes pass through some years. On July 24, 2026, close to seven inches of rain fell across Hall County in one storm. When Hurricane Helene came through in September 2024, about 8,700 Hall County customers lost power. A few hours of work before storm season can keep water out of the house.
Gutters and downspouts
Red clay soaks up water slowly. When gutters overflow, the water lands next to the foundation and stays there.
- Clean gutters in late spring and again after the leaves drop. Pine needles and oak leaves clog them fast.
- Make sure every downspout empties at least four to six feet from the house. Add extensions or splash blocks where they do not.
- Watch the gutters in a heavy rain. Water pouring over the edge in one spot usually means a clog or a sag.
Grading around the house
Walk the outside of the house after a big rain. The ground should slope away from the foundation. Low spots that hold water next to the walls are where crawl space and basement water usually starts. Filling them in with soil that slopes away is often the cheapest fix.
Trees
Big oaks and pines are a large part of why Gainesville neighborhoods look the way they do, and they are also what brings roofs down in a storm.
- Look for dead limbs hanging over the roof, trees leaning toward the house, and cracks or rot at the base of the trunk.
- Have an arborist look at large trees close to the house.
- Keep branches trimmed back from the roof and gutters.
Roof and openings
- Replace missing or curled shingles and check the flashing around chimneys, vents and skylights.
- Check caulk and seals around windows and doors, especially on the side that faces the storms.
- If you have an attic water heater or air handler, make sure the drain pan and its line are clear.
Sump pumps and power
If your basement or crawl space has a sump pump, test it before storm season by pouring a bucket of water into the pit. A pump does nothing during an outage without backup power. A battery backup or water-powered backup pump, or a generator that can run it, is worth looking at if you have had water before.
Crawl space
Check the vapor barrier for tears and gaps, make sure vents and access doors close, and look for standing water after a heavy rain. Water that sits under the house for days raises humidity and can start mold on the joists.
Paperwork
- Take photos or video of each room and your belongings now. It makes a claim much easier later.
- Read your homeowners policy for water backup coverage and flood exclusions. Our Georgia insurance guide explains the common gaps.
- Save your insurer's claim number and this phone number in your phone.
After the storm
- Stay away from downed lines and sagging ceilings.
- Walk the house and the crawl space or basement with a flashlight and look for water.
- Photograph damage before you clean anything.
- Tarp roof openings only if it is safe to do so.
- Call us to get a local water damage crew on the way.
Related services in Gainesville, GA
- Emergency water removal: Pumps and extractors for standing water, then fans and dehumidifiers to dry what is left.
- Crawl space water and mold: Water pumped out from under the house, wet insulation pulled, and the space dried before mold spreads.
- Storm and roof leak damage: Rain through roofs, windows and doors, fallen trees, and flooded lower levels after a storm.