Hurricane preparation
Fill and inspect your backup supply before tropical weather arrives, not after stores empty and travel becomes difficult.
A homeowner resource
Florida & Surrounding States Hurricane and Tropical Storm Preparation Guide
How to prepare your home for hurricanes, power outages, boil-water alerts, well-pump failures, saltwater intrusion, and unexpected water shutoffs.
Why a water backup plan matters
Florida storms can interrupt water even when your home is still standing.
Electric well pumps stop when power is unavailable. Public-water customers can experience main breaks, pressure loss, shutoffs, or boil-water notices. Hurricanes and flooding can also affect wells, cisterns, and local freshwater supplies. A dedicated household water reserve gives your family another option while conditions recover.
Power-outage readiness
A solar-charged battery and on-demand pump can provide water pressure without depending on the electrical grid.
Water-quality disruptions
A separate reserve can be valuable during boil-water alerts, saltwater intrusion, or suspected contamination.
Hurricane & tropical storm checklist
Prepare early. Stay safe. Recover carefully.
Use this simple checklist when a tropical storm or hurricane may affect your area. Always follow evacuation orders and instructions from local emergency officials.
Check storms near youView current conditions, radar, alerts, and upcoming weather for your location.
View local storms on Weather.com
Water & food
- Fill and test your backup-water system early.
- Store drinking water and shelf-stable food.
- Keep a manual can opener and pet supplies ready.
- Freeze containers of water to help keep food cold.
Power & communication
- Charge phones, battery banks, and system batteries.
- Test flashlights, radios, solar panels, and pumps.
- Write down emergency contacts and evacuation routes.
- Never operate a generator inside or near openings.
Home & property
- Bring in outdoor furniture and loose objects.
- Clear gutters and nearby storm drains when safe.
- Protect windows and photograph your property.
- Know how to shut off your water and electricity.
Documents & medicine
- Refill prescriptions before conditions worsen.
- Seal IDs, insurance papers, and records in waterproof bags.
- Keep cash and a first-aid kit available.
- Pack a go-bag for each household member.
During the storm
- Stay indoors and away from windows.
- Do not use tap water during an unsafe-water notice.
- Conserve backup water and battery capacity.
- Do not walk or drive through floodwater.
After the storm
- Wait for official clearance before traveling.
- Avoid downed power lines and standing water.
- Inspect wells, tanks, hoses, and fittings before use.
- Follow local boil-water and cleanup instructions.
Important: A water backup system supports preparedness, but it does not replace evacuation orders, emergency services, or official public-health guidance.
Private wells
When power stops, the well pump usually stops.
A charged backup-water system can supply the home independently while the well and grid are unavailable.
City water
Public systems can still be interrupted.
Main breaks, low pressure, maintenance, contamination concerns, and boil-water alerts can affect otherwise dependable service.
One practical backup option
What a McDowell Energy home water backup system provides
Choose our 275-gallon system for a larger reserve or our more portable 55-gallon system for a smaller option. All of our water tanks are BPA-free. The pump activates when water is used, helping conserve stored battery energy. Depending on household size and conservation, a 275-gallon reserve can support drinking, cooking, dishes, laundry, and other household needs for days or potentially weeks.
Safe water storage
Clean water requires a clean system.
Use water intended for the planned purpose, keep the tank closed, and follow the treatment product’s label and local public-health directions. Never assume that visibly clear water is safe to drink after contamination or flooding.
The CDC advises storing safe water in clean, sanitized, tightly covered containers, protecting it from recontamination, heat, sunlight, fuels, and toxic chemicals.
Read CDC safe-storage guidance- CleanSchedule regular tank cleaning.
- InspectCheck fittings, valves, hoses, batteries, and solar output.
- TreatUse approved water-treatment tablets exactly as directed.
- RefillReplace or refill stored water with clean, safe water when required.
Common questions
Florida and surrounding states water-backup FAQs
Can a water backup system work during a nighttime outage?
Yes. The lithium battery stores solar energy so the 55 PSI on-demand pump can operate after sunset, subject to battery charge and system condition.
Can stored water be used during a boil-water alert?
A properly stored separate supply may be useful, but follow local health-department instructions. If water may be unsafe, the CDC recommends bottled, boiled, or appropriately treated water for drinking, cooking, dishes, and personal hygiene.
How long can my water reserve last?
That depends on tank capacity, household size, and usage. Conservation makes a major difference. Drinking and cooking require much less water than laundry, bathing, or other whole-home uses.
What maintenance does a backup-water system need?
Service can include tank cleaning, fitting and hose inspection, valve checks, battery testing, solar-panel testing, and treatment supplies. Customers should keep their systems filled with clean, safe water; McDowell Energy tank-filling service is coming soon but is not currently available.
Can McDowell Energy fill the tank before or during a storm?
Not currently. Home tank-filling service is coming soon. Until it launches, customers should make arrangements to fill and prepare their systems well before severe weather arrives.
Prepare before the next alert
Build a backup-water plan for your home.
McDowell Energy helps homeowners throughout Florida and surrounding states prepare with solar-powered water backup systems, maintenance, and treatment supplies. Tank-filling service is coming soon but is not currently available.
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