How to Move During Rainy Weather: 10 Essential Tips

Moving during a rainy time of year can be challenging, but with proper planning, you can keep your belongings and your moving process on track. Whether you’re facing a last-minute rainstorm or preparing for a soggy season, follow these tips to make your rainy-day move as smooth and safe as possible.

1. Gather Essential Rain Gear

When rain is in the forecast, make sure you have:

Raincoats to keep yourself dry.
Non-slip rain boots to provide traction on slick surfaces.
Umbrellas for quick coverage.
Keep plenty of towels on hand to dry off wet boxes, furniture, and floors. A little preparation goes a long way in preventing accidents and messes.

2. Wrap Belongings in Waterproof Covers

Protect your items from rain by:

Using plastic bags or totes for small items.
Wrapping larger items like furniture in stretch wrap or waterproof covers.
Avoid relying solely on moving blankets—they’re not waterproof, so pair them with a plastic layer for added protection.

3. Recruit Extra Help

Rain makes moving trickier, so enlist friends, family, or professional movers to speed up the process.

Friends and Family: More hands mean shorter time spent in the rain.
Professional Movers: Book short distance movers or long distance movers ahead and confirm their availability during bad weather.

4. Verify Insurance Coverage

Accidents are more likely in wet conditions, so check these insurance options:

Homeowners or Renters Insurance: Ensure it covers injuries on your property.
Moving Insurance: Protect your items from damage due to rain.
If hiring movers, confirm they have liability coverage for workers handling your move. Learn more about a moving certificate of insurance.

5. Minimize Loading and Unloading Distances

Reduce the time spent carrying items in the rain by:

Moving boxes and furniture to your garage or entryway before loading the truck.
Parking the moving truck as close to your home as possible.
This strategy helps keep items dry and reduces slipping hazards on rain-slicked surfaces.

6. Divide Your Crew: Inside vs. Outside

If you have enough helpers, assign roles:

Outside Crew: Handles items in the rain and passes them into the truck or house.
Inside Crew: Stays dry indoors, organizes belongings, and dries off wet items.
This setup minimizes wet footprints and the risk of injury indoors.

7. Set Up an Assembly Line

A human assembly line is an efficient and safe way to move items:

Position people from the truck to the house entrance.
Pass items along the line instead of carrying them individually.
This approach avoids slips and speeds up the unloading process.

8. Create Safe Pathways

Keep floors and walkways dry to prevent injuries:

Lay down cardboard, towels, or non-slip mats in high-traffic areas.
Protect wood floors with towels and clean up spills immediately.
Use a non-slip tarp for carpeted floors to avoid tracking in mud and water.
Don’t forget to keep the moving truck floor dry as well!

9. Take Your Time

While you may be tempted to rush, moving carefully is key to avoiding accidents:

Slow down when carrying heavy or delicate items like TVs or artwork.
Wait for rain to lighten up if possible, or take frequent breaks to assess conditions.
Proper wrapping of fragile items means you won’t have to rush to keep them dry.

10. Dry and Unpack Wet Items Immediately

Even with precautions, some items may get wet. Address this promptly by:

Drying wooden and fabric furniture to prevent warping or mold.
Unpacking and drying electronics, artwork, and other sensitive items right away.
Tossing wet clothes into the dryer or hanging them to air dry.

Should You Reschedule A Move If It Is Raining?

In most cases, moving in the rain should not be a huge concern. If you have hired a professional moving company or full service movers – they will be prepared for a move in the rain. However, if you are moving your items into storage for more than a month, the worst thing for your household goods is to get them wet before they sit in a storage facility for an extended amount of time. Your items can form white spots and mold on all surfaces if placed in an enclosed environment while damp. Even a climate controlled storage facility may not be able to stop the issues that arise from wet furniture sitting too long. If you are attempting a DIY move in the rain and have flexibility, it is a good idea to reschedule.