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us Home & property emergencies storm water coming in window • water leaking around window • rain coming in through window frame • window leaking in heavy rain • water coming in around door • rain coming under door • door threshold leaking • wind driven rain leak • sudden indoor water ingress • emergency window leak • emergency door leak • flooding through window • water pooling by window • water near outlets • keep water out during storm • temporary leak stop inside • soak-through around frames • storm damage first steps

What to do if…
water is coming in around a window or door during a storm

Short answer

Keep water away from electricity first, then contain the leak from the inside (buckets/towels/plastic) and move essentials and electronics to higher, drier places. Avoid outside “quick fixes” while the storm is active.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t touch outlets, power strips, cords, or electrical panels if you’re standing on a wet floor or water is reaching them.
  • Don’t try to turn power on or off while you’re standing in water.
  • Don’t go outside to seal the window/door during high winds, lightning, or poor visibility.
  • Don’t use space heaters, hairdryers, or corded fans near wet flooring to “dry it faster.”
  • Don’t run extension cords across wet areas.
  • Don’t drive or walk through floodwater to fetch supplies (if flooding is part of the storm).

What to do now

  1. Move people and pets away from the leaking area. Close interior doors to slow the spread of water into other rooms.
  2. Make electricity safer immediately.
    • If water is approaching outlets, power strips, appliances, or your breaker panel area, turn off power at the main breaker only if you can reach it safely and the floor/panel area is dry.
    • If the panel area is wet, you smell hot insulation, hear buzzing, or see sparking: don’t touch it. Keep everyone away and contact your power company/electrician.
    • Do not re-energize circuits/outlets that may have gotten wet until they’ve been checked.
  3. Contain the water from the inside (fast, low-risk actions).
    • Put a bucket/bowl under any drip or stream.
    • Use towels to create a barrier and to “channel” water into the bucket.
    • Tape a plastic sheet or trash bag over the inside edges of the window/door frame as a temporary splash guard, directing flow downward into a container.
  4. Move what gets dangerous or ruined first.
    • Unplug and relocate electronics and anything plugged in near the leak (laptops, chargers, power strips).
    • Move important documents, medications, and keys to a higher shelf or upstairs.
  5. Limit water soaking into walls and floors.
    • Lift curtains/blinds away from wet sills.
    • If water is running along baseboards, press a towel into the corner and keep swapping/wringing to slow the spread.
  6. Treat storm/flood water as “not clean” if it’s coming from outside or the ground.
    • Keep kids/pets away from puddles, avoid splashes to eyes/mouth, and wash hands after handling wet items.
  7. Know when to call for help.
    • If there’s immediate, life-threatening danger (sparking/arcing you can’t avoid, rapidly rising water, collapse risk), call 911.
    • If the meter/service panel area got wet or there are downed lines nearby, keep well away and contact your power company. If officials tell you to evacuate, do so.

What can wait

  • You do not need to figure out the exact cause (failed seal, wind-driven rain, gutters/roof) while the storm is still happening.
  • You do not need to start major cleanup or tear-out right now.
  • You do not need to make insurance decisions tonight—focus on safety, containment, and quick documentation (photos) when safe.

Important reassurance

A sudden leak during a storm can feel overwhelming, but the first priority is simple: keep electricity and water separated, then slow and collect the water. Those steps meaningfully reduce the chance of injury and major damage.

Scope note

These are first steps for the storm window. After conditions improve, you may need professional inspection/repairs, and you should treat any circuits/outlets that got wet as unsafe until checked.

Important note

This is general information, not professional advice. If floodwater may be contaminated or water contacted electrical systems, gas/propane equipment, or structural elements, get appropriate professional help before restoring power or making repairs.

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