How to Protect Your Outdoor Security Cameras During Stormy Weather, According to Experts

Crime doesn’t stop just because there’s a storm. Whether you live in an area prone to hurricanes, tornadoes, snowstorms, high winds, or average thunderstorms, it’s important to protect your security equipment from weather-related damage. If your cameras are fried by lightning, ripped down from strong winds, or destroyed by water damage, you will have all kinds of problems, like the inability to view video footage clearly, receiving false alarms, or even losing all surveillance capabilities. 

This threat will only continue to grow as rising temperatures trigger extreme weather events such as large storms that are likely to become more frequent and intense in the coming years, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The 2024 hurricane season, for example, is expected to be more active than usual. Experts at Colorado State University predict 23 named storms, with 12 becoming hurricanes. We’ve already seen evidence of this: Tropical Storm Alberto dropped nearly a foot of rain in Texas and New Mexico, causing flash flood emergencies, and Hurricane Beryl became the earliest category-5 storm on record in the Atlantic basin, causing catastrophic damage. 

Storm-proofing outdoor security cameras will save you money on repairs if the camera breaks, and help keep you and your home safe from intruders. Consider taking the following precautions to keep your security cameras intact and functioning properly. 

Only purchase highly rated security cameras.

When shopping for the best outdoor security cameras, pay attention to ratings. Surveillance cameras are rated based on an international standard called ingress protection (IP), which uses two numbers to designate the camera’s ability to withstand harsh conditions such as melting snow from a roof, blowing dust in a windy area, and water. The first number in an IP rating refers to dust resistance (0 to 6) and the second number indicates water resistance and moisture protection (0 to 9). 

“It’s important to invest in an outdoor camera that can withstand even the harshest of environmental conditions,” says Brent Hild, director of product management at security company SimpliSafe in Boston, Massachusetts. “When shopping for cameras, look for one that has a strong IP rating (IP65 or higher),” says Hild. Also, make sure that the information on the packaging states that the camera is waterproof—not just weatherproof. 

If you choose a security camera with a dome cover, make sure it is IK10 rated in addition to the IP65 rating. In essence, the IK rating demonstrates the level of protection the camera housing can provide against impact.

Strategically secure and position cameras to withstand harsh weather conditions.

Wind and heavy precipitation can tear cameras down. To best protect your outdoor cameras from extreme weather, pay attention to placement, says Hild. “I recommend installing your outdoor camera under some sort of covering—whether that’s a front porch, awning, or eave—to shield it against heavy rain, hail, or wind.” He also warns against mounting cameras under a gutter where water overflow could disrupt the camera’s visibility or near a large tree where the camera could be prone to falling debris. Additionally, avoid placing cameras at the highest structure on the property or attached to a metal pole where they could more easily get struck by lightning. 

How you position the cameras can also make a difference. Tilt them slightly downward to prevent water from settling on the lens and blurring security footage.

Add protective housing to shield the camera.

Though some cameras come with built-in housing to protect them from the elements, others might not. “Consider investing in additional protective housing for your cameras,” suggests Jeff Ketelaars, a seasoned security expert who co-founded Security Guards Only. “These can provide an extra layer of defense against flying debris and intense wind,” he says. You can purchase special housing, have one custom-made by a contractor, or build it yourself. A glass-fronted bird box or acrylic dome are suitable solutions.

Look for special features depending on where you live.

Depending on your local climate, you also might choose security cameras with certain characteristics. Cameras that have built-in heaters are beneficial for those living in cold climates. They can help prevent frost from building up on the camera lens or freezing temperatures from damaging important sensors, parts, and electronics. On the other hand, fans can help reduce damage in hot, sunny, and humid locations. Heat bulbs can also be beneficial by keeping cameras dry following precipitation.

Safeguard cables and wires from the elements.

Security camera wires can take a beating during a storm when they are exposed to rain, snow, wind, hail, and debris. The simplest way to protect your cameras is to use a junction box to hide cables and connectors, says Tomasz Borys, senior vice president of marketing and sales at camera security company Deep Sentinel in Pleasanton, California. “These boxes not only shield the wires from the elements but also help maintain a tidy appearance,” says Borys.

If you decide against using junction boxes or conduits, then it’s crucial to seal entry points for the cables into a home or other structure, explains Borys. “Failing to do so may allow moisture to travel along the cable and seep into the electrical connections, resulting in costly repairs and possible system failure,” he says.

It is also recommended to use grounding to protect the cameras from a lightning strike. To do so, connect the camera’s mounting bracket to a grounding rod or run a grounding wire from the camera to a grounding point. Other tips include avoiding running camera wires over long distances, isolating the power supply, and using fiber optic cables.