Hurricane Season Pool Prep for New Orleans Homeowners

Written by Big Easy Pool Designs

The Mistake That Costs the Most

Quick Answer: The single most damaging thing a New Orleans area pool owner can do ahead of a hurricane is drain the pool. The instinct is understandable, since you expect rain and want room for it. The physics work against you. In saturated ground, groundwater exerts upward pressure on the underside of the shell, and the water inside the pool is the weight resisting it. Empty the pool right when the ground is at its wettest and you create the conditions for the shell to lift, crack, or shift.

Keep the water in. This is covered in more depth in building a pool on a high water table, and it is the one rule to remember if you remember nothing else.

Before the Storm

Water Level

If heavy rain is forecast, lowering the level modestly is reasonable so the pool does not overflow across the deck and yard. Lower it a limited amount, not to empty, and stop well above the skimmer intakes.

Chemistry

Balance the water and add sanitizer ahead of the storm. Heavy rain dilutes chemistry and washes in organic debris, and a pool that goes into a storm already balanced recovers faster afterward. Details are in pool water chemistry and care in the Louisiana summer.

Furniture and Loose Items

Move everything inside: chairs, tables, umbrellas, toys, cleaning equipment, and anything not bolted down. If there is genuinely nowhere to store them, secure them as best you can.

Do not put furniture in the pool. It is a persistent piece of bad advice. Metal furniture stains the interior finish, sharp edges can damage the surface, items can block circulation, and everything has to be hauled out of the water afterward.

Equipment

Cut power to the pool equipment at the breaker before the storm arrives. If flooding is expected and the equipment can be disconnected and moved to higher ground safely, do that. Where it cannot be moved, wrapping it can help against wind-driven debris, though flooding is the larger risk in much of this metro.

Anything involving electrical work should be handled with the power off, and if you are unsure, leave it and call someone.

Covers

Remove standard covers. In high wind a cover becomes a sail and can be torn away, taking anchors and deck hardware with it. It also traps debris against the surface. Solid safety covers designed to remain in place are a different case, and manufacturer guidance applies.

Trim and Document

Trim overhanging branches ahead of the season rather than in the last 48 hours. Photograph the pool, deck, and equipment beforehand, since dated pre-storm photos make an insurance claim considerably easier.

After the Storm

Safety First

Do not enter the water or approach equipment until you know it is safe. Assume electrical hazards until the power situation is confirmed. Downed lines near a pool area are an emergency, not a cleanup task.

Still Do Not Drain

The ground is at its most saturated in the days after a major rain event, which is exactly when an empty shell is most likely to float. However dirty the water is, it can be cleaned. A lifted shell is a structural repair. If the pool has flooded and you believe it needs emptying, that is a call to a builder, not a project for the weekend.

Cleanup Sequence

1. Remove large debris by hand or net rather than forcing it through the equipment.
2. Check and clear skimmer and pump baskets before restoring power.
3. Inspect equipment for water intrusion and damage before running it.
4. Restore power and circulate once you are confident the system is sound.
5. Test and rebalance the water, expecting it to take several days of work.
6. Shock and run the filter continuously as needed, backwashing or cleaning as it loads up.

Look for Damage

Check the interior finish, tile, coping, and deck for cracking or movement, and check whether the deck has shifted relative to the coping. Look at the barrier too, since fences and gates take wind damage and a gate that no longer self-latches is a safety problem that needs fixing immediately. See pool permits and barrier rules.

If something looks structural, get it assessed rather than guessing. Post-storm is a reasonable moment to consider deferred work, since a remodel or resurface can fold repairs into a single project.

Before the Season Starts

The best storm prep happens in spring: trim trees, confirm you know where the equipment breaker is, check that the barrier hardware works, review insurance coverage with your agent, and photograph everything. Waiting until a named storm is in the Gulf means competing with everyone else for attention and supplies.

If you are planning a new build, storm resilience is worth designing in from the start rather than managing around later. Our custom pool design process accounts for equipment placement, drainage, and barrier hardware, and the same considerations apply to a pool renovation on an older property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I add extra chlorine before a storm?

Raising sanitizer ahead of heavy rain and debris is sensible, since the pool will be diluted and loaded with organics.

What if the pool overflows?

It is usually manageable. Direct the overflow away from the house where you can, and rebalance the water afterward.

Can I swim after a storm?

Not until the water is clear, tested, and properly balanced, and not until you are certain there are no electrical hazards.

Will insurance cover storm damage to my pool?

It depends on your policy and the cause. Ask your agent how your pool and its equipment are covered, ideally before the season.

My pool looks like a swamp. Is it ruined?

Usually not. Green, murky water after a storm is normal and recoverable with filtration and chemistry. It takes time, not replacement.

We Handle Post-Storm Work

If your pool took damage or you are unsure whether something is structural, we will assess it and tell you plainly what needs doing.

Big Easy Pool Designs serves the metro and Northshore, including Slidell, Madisonville, and St. Rose. See all service areas or call (504) 688-4066.