When preparing the patio and pool area of a property for an approaching hurricane, people used to believe that they should drain the water from their swimming pool. Why was that?
If it was it to prevent the water from overflowing, then besides being a futile effort, it could have caused more harm than good. If a pool is drained more than a few feet, the shell of the pool (concrete or otherwise) could literally pop out of the heavy, water-saturated ground. The pool actually needs the weight of the water in it to hold it in place.
So what should you do to prepare your swimming pool for a hurricane? Before the storm, add extra chlorine or whatever chemicals you normally use to keep your pool clean, and keep extra chlorine and chemicals on hand for after the storm.
Remove automatic pool cleaners, vacuums and accessories and store inside. Turn off the power to the pool pump at the breaker and if possible, have your gas company disconnect gas to the pool heater (if you have one). Tie a waterproof cover over your pool pump motor, and if it is in an area that is known to flood, you may want to remove it and store it inside.
Another “no-no” - never put your patio furniture into the pool to keep it from blowing away! First, it could scratch the surface of your pool, and second, all those extra chemicals you put in the water may ruin the furniture.
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