NJ Storm Prep Checklist
8-item pre-storm checklist + post-storm response plan for NJ homeowners. What to inspect, clear, secure, and document before a nor'easter, hurricane, or major thunderstorm — and what to do in the first hour after.
New Jersey averages 4–7 named nor'easters per year, plus the remnants of 1–3 tropical systems and dozens of severe thunderstorm events. Most roof damage is preventable or significantly reducible with 60–90 minutes of pre-storm prep. This guide tells you exactly what to do — and what NOT to do — before, during, and after.
We respond 24/7 to storm damage across Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, Union, Middlesex, and Morris counties (and statewide for major events). If a storm causes damage, call us at (201) 275-9185 — we'll have a tarp crew dispatched within 60–90 minutes during business hours, 2–4 hours overnight.
8-item pre-storm checklist
Allow 60–90 minutes total. Do the items in order — they're sequenced from most impactful to least.
- 1
Inspect from the ground with binoculars (don't climb)
Walk the perimeter and look for: loose or missing shingles, lifted ridge cap, displaced flashing, exposed nail heads, vegetation touching the roof surface. 80% of pre-storm issues are visible from the ground if you know what to look for. Don't climb the roof — wet or windy conditions make this dangerous and rarely changes the diagnosis.
- 2
Clear gutters and downspouts
A blocked gutter system backs water up under shingles during heavy rain. Run a hose down each downspout to confirm flow; if water backs up at the outlet, clear the downspout first. Clean gutters of leaves, twigs, and roofing debris. Gutter cleaning is the single highest-ROI 30-minute pre-storm task.
- 3
Secure or move loose outdoor items
Trash cans, patio furniture, planters, grills, decorative items. Anything that can become a projectile in 50+ mph wind needs to be inside or secured. Even small items hitting a window or a roof at speed cause significant damage. Don't forget the loose hose, sprinkler, garden tools.
- 4
Trim branches that overhang the roof
If you have time before the storm, trim branches that overhang the roof or touch siding. Branch-strike damage during nor'easters is one of our top three emergency-call categories. If trim work isn't possible before the storm, at least identify which trees pose risk so you know where to expect damage.
- 5
Photograph everything
Walk around the property and take 30–50 photos: every roof slope, every elevation of the house, gutters, chimney, skylights, siding, fence, mature trees. Save them with date metadata. If post-storm damage triggers an insurance claim, you'll need before-photos to prove what was new damage vs. pre-existing condition. 10 minutes of photography now saves hours of claim-process headache later.
- 6
Locate and review your homeowners policy
Know your deductible (especially if you have a separate wind/hail deductible — many NJ coastal policies do). Know your carrier's claim phone number and online portal. Know what's covered (sudden storm damage = covered; gradual deterioration = not covered). If you have any uncertainty, call your agent BEFORE the storm — they'll have more time to explain.
- 7
Plan for power loss
Charge phones and backup batteries. Fill a water container. Locate flashlights. If you have a sump pump, confirm it's working and consider a battery backup (basement flooding from a failed sump during a storm is a separate insurance category). Know how to manually open your garage door if you have an electric opener.
- 8
Save our emergency number
(201) 275-9185 — save it in your phone before the storm. Our 24/7 emergency tarp response runs through every named storm event. Same-day response in Bergen/Passaic/Essex/Hudson during business hours; 2–4 hour overnight response. Saving the number now means you're not Googling for roofers at 11pm with water dripping into your living room.
What to do
- Stay inside and away from windows
- Listen for unusual sounds (banging, scraping = something is moving on or above the house)
- If you see water inside, place buckets but do not climb to investigate — wait for the storm to pass
- If a tree falls on the roof, evacuate to a lower floor or basement until the storm passes
- Document any leaks with photos AS THEY HAPPEN (carrier wants timestamped evidence)
Don't climb to investigate during the storm
Most storm-related injuries happen when homeowners climb to check the roof while wind is still gusting or shingles are wet. Wait for the storm to pass entirely. If water is entering the house, place buckets to contain it and call our 24/7 emergency line — we'll have a tarp crew dispatched as soon as conditions allow safe work.
5-step post-storm response
1. Wait for safe conditions
Don't go outside while wind is still gusting above 30 mph or while lightning is active. The storm passing isn't the same as the storm being safe. NWS All-Clear or a 30-minute lull between bands is the right signal.
2. Photograph everything BEFORE cleanup
Same as pre-storm — walk the perimeter, photograph every elevation and any visible damage. If a tree fell on the house or shingles are scattered in the yard, photograph the scattered debris before you (or anyone) starts cleanup. The position of debris is evidence for the insurance claim.
3. Tarp emergency leaks immediately
If water is entering the house, call us at (201) 275-9185 for emergency tarp service. We carry pre-cut tarps in 8'×12', 12'×16', and 20'×24' on every emergency truck. Same-day response during business hours, 2–4 hour overnight. Cost typically $400–$800 for emergency tarp; most homeowners insurance covers tarp work as mitigation.
4. Don't sign anything from door-knocking contractors
After named storms, out-of-state "storm chasers" door-knock NJ neighborhoods looking for fast contracts. Many disappear after taking deposits. Real local NJ contractors have local addresses, local references, and don't pressure you to sign anything within 24 hours of a storm. Take time to verify.
5. File the claim through your carrier, not a contractor
File the claim yourself or with your insurance agent. Avoid contractors who offer to "file the claim for you" or push assignment-of-benefits (AOB) paperwork — that hands over your rights to negotiate the settlement. We meet adjusters on-site for free, write Xactimate-compatible scopes, and don't take AOB or public-adjuster fees.
NJ storm + roof insurance questions
How much warning do I typically get before a nor'easter or hurricane?
Named storms (hurricanes, tropical storms) typically have 3–7 days of forecast warning. Nor'easters typically have 24–72 hours warning. Severe summer thunderstorms have 1–6 hours warning. Use the longer windows to do the full pre-storm checklist; use the shorter windows for the urgent items (secure outdoor items, charge phones, photograph property).
Should I tarp my own roof if I have damage?
Not if you can avoid it. Roof work in storm conditions or on a wet roof is the #1 cause of homeowner falls from heights. Even after the storm, climbing a damp asphalt roof in shoes you wear daily is unsafe — wet shingles are slick, and shingle granules are loose. Our emergency tarp service runs $400–$800 (most insurance covers it as mitigation) and protects you from the much higher cost of an ER visit. Call us at (201) 275-9185.
What's the difference between wind damage and hail damage for insurance?
Wind damage = visible displacement (missing shingles, lifted ridge cap, blown-off flashing). Documented with photos showing where shingles used to be vs. where they are now. Hail damage = bruising and granule loss with specific impact patterns. Documented with chalk-marked impact circles and granule samples. The two have different inspection methods, different claim documentation, and different repair scopes. We write separate damage reports for each when both are present after a mixed-event storm.
How long after a storm do I have to file a claim?
Most NJ homeowners policies require notification of damage within "a reasonable time" — typically interpreted as within 60–90 days. Some policies have stricter notification windows (30 days). File as soon as you have documented evidence, even if you're not ready to commit to a contractor or scope. Filing late risks the carrier denying the claim on grounds that you can't prove the damage came from the specific storm vs. later weather events.
Will the insurance company replace my whole roof or just patch it?
Depends on damage extent and your policy. Localized damage (one slope, isolated section) typically gets repaired. Significant damage (multiple slopes, structural elements) typically gets full replacement. NJ has a strong "matching" doctrine — if the replacement shingles can't reasonably match the existing roof aesthetic, the carrier may owe full replacement even if technically only one slope is damaged. We document scope to support whatever recovery makes sense for your situation.
What if my roof is older — will insurance still cover storm damage?
Yes, generally — age alone doesn't disqualify a claim if the damage is from a covered event. However: some carriers apply depreciation (Actual Cash Value, or ACV) rather than full Replacement Cost Value (RCV) on older roofs, which reduces the payout. Check your policy for the RCV/ACV provision. If you're not sure, call your agent before you have a claim — it's a much harder conversation after damage has occurred.
Save our number before you need it
24/7 emergency tarp response across NJ. Same-day in Bergen/Passaic/Essex/Hudson; 2–4 hour overnight. Insurance documentation included free.