Pool Checklist After Heavy Rain and King Tides in Broward and Palm Beach

On Monday, October 26, 2026, the National Weather Service in Miami issued a Coastal Flood Warning for coastal Broward County, coastal Palm Beach County and coastal Miami-Dade County. The bulletin's headline read "COASTAL FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT WEDNESDAY," and one of its listed impacts was "Numerous roads may be closed." CBS Miami reported the same day that a wind advisory called for gusts to 40 mph and that South Florida had a Level 1 risk of excessive heavy rainfall and street flooding.

If your pool took wind, rain, leaves or water from the street, this is what the University of Florida's extension service (UF/IFAS), the Florida Swimming Pool Association, the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and the CDC each say to do. Work down the list and stop at the step that matches what happened to your pool.

Step 1: Look at the yard before you touch the pool

The UF/IFAS Extension article "Pools and Hurricanes" (Indian River County) puts safety first: "Do not begin any pool clean up until you have assessed the area to be safe." Its check is for downed power lines, and for snakes or alligators in the pool. It also tells readers to beware of unexpected wildlife during the cleanup.

The Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) adds an equipment rule in its hurricane guidance. Before you restart anything electrical, "Be sure that everything is dry," and check that the circuit breakers are off before reconnecting equipment. If a pump motor was exposed to water, FSPA says it "should be checked by a professional."

Step 2: Take the debris out by hand

• FSPA says to "Remove debris manually to avoid clogging automatic equipment," and to be careful not to damage the pool walls when you lift out large objects.
• UF/IFAS explains why it matters: remove leaves and other debris "before decomposition of the debris has a chance to cause staining to the pool finish."
• Empty the skimmer and pump baskets. UF/IFAS says that when debris covers the bottom drain or fills the skimmer, empty it quickly.
• UF/IFAS also says to keep pressure-washer spray away from the pool.

Step 3: Check the water level

FSPA says that if rain has overfilled the pool, you can drain it down to its regular level. UF/IFAS gives a target: back down to mid-way up the tile line, or about halfway up the skimmer. Its warning is blunt: "DO NOT turn your back on a draining pool."

Going beyond that is a separate decision. FSPA's cleanup information says "Do NOT drain your pool without understanding the potential issues this can cause," and that if you must drain your pool to clean it, you should seek professional advice first.

Step 4: Test the water, then compare to these numbers

UF/IFAS says to check your chemical levels again and asks whether the pool needs another shock treatment. FSPA says to test and balance the water chemistry and that you may need to shock it. Here are the numbers to compare against, from the CDC's page "Home Pool and Hot Tub Water Treatment and Testing" (dated May 10, 2024):

• pH: the CDC recommends 7.0 to 7.8.
• Free chlorine: at least 1 ppm in a pool. If your pool uses cyanuric acid, the CDC says at least 2 ppm.
• Why pH matters: "As pH goes up, the ability of chlorine to kill germs decreases, especially if pH is >8.0."
• Test kit: the CDC says a DPD test kit gives the most accurate results and that test strips are less accurate.

Compare your readings to those numbers and adjust. These are CDC recommendations for home pools. They are not a substitute for the instructions on your own chemical products.

Step 5: If floodwater got into the pool, treat it differently

Rain falling on a pool is one thing. Water that came over the deck from the street, a canal or the yard is another. The CDC's floodwater safety page (updated August 24, 2026) says: "The best way to protect yourself is to stay out of the water." That page covers floodwater in general and does not mention pools.

For pools, the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) has a technical bulletin, "Flooded Swimming Pools and Spas" (revised September 2017). It says homeowners "must assume that floodwaters are contaminated" and that you should not swim or use the pool or spa. It recommends draining the pool, purging the plumbing lines and replacing the filter media, but only after checking the groundwater. Its warning: "If you are uncertain of the ground water level in your area, do not drain the pool." It also says not to refill with untreated well water, and to keep testing until the readings stay in range. PHTA describes the bulletin as voluntary guidance for trained professionals.

The sources do not fully agree here. FSPA's flyer says "Never Drain Your Pool" in its cleanup tips, and PHTA recommends draining a floodwater-contaminated pool when groundwater allows, so this article does not pick a side. If floodwater reached your pool, call a pool professional before you drain anything, which is also what FSPA advises. UF/IFAS adds a caution about chemical treatment: it says its treatments "should kill most bacteria, algae, and viruses" but "will NEVER remove harmful fertilizers and chemicals from your pool water."

FSPA's 2026 hurricane flyer also says "Flooded systems likely need professional repair," so the pump, motor and electrical equipment should be looked at before they run.

Where a weekly pool service fits

The steps above are mostly homeowner steps, since the first look at the yard after a storm is a safety check. Once the area is safe, routine weekly care covers the parts that repeat. OneBlu's visit checklist includes "Test and balance routine water chemistry," "Empty skimmer and pump baskets," "Check circulation and filter pressure," and a digital service report with a photograph, readings and technician notes. If a visit turns up a damaged pump or a piece of equipment that will not run, Pool Equipment Repair is diagnosed and quoted before any work begins.

Weekly Pool Care starts at $95 a month. Most standard residential pools fall between $95 and $189 per month, your exact price is confirmed before service begins, and routine balancing chemicals are included unless the approved quote says otherwise. See how pricing works or check whether we serve your neighborhood.

Your next step is small: when the yard is safe, pull the debris out of the skimmer and test the water with a DPD kit. If the readings are off, or the pump will not start, write down the numbers before you call anyone.