How to Stay Safe during a New Jersey Hurricane

Natural disasters strike when they’re ready, not when you are. Storms aren’t concerned with whether you’re safely inside your home or out driving on the road, so it’s up to you to be prepared for all worst-case scenarios. That’s also why it’s so important to know how to stay safe during a hurricane no matter where you are, especially in a coastal state like New Jersey. 

 A New Jersey independent insurance agent can help you find reliable hurricane insurance as well as reliable homeowners insurance to stay fully covered. Long before disaster ever strikes, check out this guide to staying safe during a New Jersey hurricane.

New Jersey Hurricane Statistics

Being on the Atlantic coast, New Jersey’s certainly no stranger to hurricanes. Check out this quick list of hurricane stats for the state to better understand why it’s so important to be prepared for these natural disasters.

• Hurricanes are one of the state’s costliest visitors. Hurricane Sandy alone cost New Jersey more than $1 billion in damage in the year 2012 and caused more than 30 deaths.
• 94,083 single-family homes in New Jersey are at risk of being struck by a category 1 hurricane, as of 2019.
• 279,872 single-family homes in New Jersey are at risk of being struck by a category 2 hurricane, as of 2019.
• 381,551 single-family homes in New Jersey are at risk of being struck by a category 3 hurricane, as of 2019.
• 471,143 single-family homes in New Jersey are at risk of being struck by a category 4 hurricane, as of 2019.
• Hurricanes and New Jersey go way back. One of the worst hurricanes on record for the state was the Snow Hurricane of 1804, which carried wind gusts of 110 MPH and above.
• The Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 has been nicknamed “the worst hurricane ever to hit New Jersey in the 20^th century” by a state climatologist. Piers in Atlantic City were torn to shreds by the storm, and hundreds of homes on Long Beach Island were washed out to sea.
• In 2011, Hurricane Irene left New Jersey with nine fatalities. Fallen trees and flash flooding claimed most of the victims.

Hurricanes are no joke, and New Jersey’s seen its fair share of tragic destruction and deaths at Mother Nature’s hand. Though natural disasters are largely unavoidable, following these safety tips to prepare for the storm and remain safe during and after can seriously up your chances of coming out on the other side unscathed.

Prepare an Emergency Kit before the New Jersey Hurricane Strikes

One of the most commonly recommended safety tips by experts like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Red Cross is to prepare an emergency kit to have on hand during the storm well in advance. While these kits should include basic essentials that are likely no-brainers for many folks, experts also recommend a few items that may be less obvious. Regardless, the stress of an impending disaster could cause anyone to forget basic necessities.

Grab the following supplies to assemble your emergency kit before the hurricane hits:

• Non-perishable food (at least a three-day supply)
• Bottled water (one gallon per person per day)
• Cellphones and chargers
• Radio
• Battery-powered TV
• Prescription medications and/or inhalers
• Multi-purpose tool
• Flashlight
• Whistle
• Hygiene and sanitation items
• Protective clothing (e.g., gloves, boots, hats, and jackets)
• Pet food and supplies
• Games for children
• Blankets
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Important documents in a waterproof container
• Cash
• Local maps (in case of evacuation)

Obviously, not all of these items will apply to everyone, but you should be able to pick and choose what’s necessary for the safety of your family and yourself.

Prepare Your Home and Car before the New Jersey Hurricane Strikes

You’ve prepped your emergency kit, but there’s still more work to be done before the storm hits. You may not be able to plan exactly where you’ll be upon impact, so it’s a good idea to prepare both your home and your car. Following these pro tips in advance can help you stay safe during the hurricane.

• Prepare your house: Bring outdoor furniture and other loose objects inside, secure windows, shutters, and doors, and set your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings. Protect your roof by clearing drains and gutters to keep water moving to prevent leaks and collapses, and replace any loose/missing shingles. Trim potentially hazardous tree/shrub branches to help protect your home from further unnecessary damage. Finally, bring your emergency supply kit into your designated safe room.
• Prepare your apartment: Bring any outdoor furniture or other belongings such as planters inside. Install shutters or panels on any sliding glass doors or windows, but note that renters may need to check in with their landlord before making these modifications. Have your emergency kit waiting in your safe room or ready to take with you to a safer location on another level. You may want to make arrangements to stay with another tenant in advance.
• Prepare your car: Fill your gas tank in advance in case of emergency evacuation and bring the car into a garage or carport if possible. Double-check all headlights and taillights to make sure they’re working properly. Make sure your wiper blades are functional as well. Put local maps and planned emergency evacuation routes inside the glove box, ready to grab. Keep your GPS up to date.

You may want to prepare a second emergency kit to keep in your car, so you’re not scrambling to find the first one if you’re ordered to evacuate immediately.

Stay Safe during the New Jersey Hurricane, No Matter Where You Are

Once the storm hits, wherever you are, it’s time to breathe deeply and take shelter as best you can. Staying safe means different things depending on your location though. Take these tips to heart for remaining safe during a hurricane, whether you’re at home or not, or even on the road.

• Stay safe in your home: Find an interior room in your house or apartment away from external doors and windows to protect yourself from high winds. When possible, stay on the lowest level. But in the event of extreme flooding, take shelter on the highest level without entering the attic. Keep your phone/radio/TV on and stay connected to live updates on the storm’s location as well as orders from your local government so you’ll know ASAP if you’re ordered to evacuate.
• Stay safe inside another building: If you’re at work or in any other building when the hurricane hits, follow the same action plan you would if you were home. Take shelter in an interior room, and move to the highest floor in the event of flooding. Break out the cellphone, radio, laptop or TV to stay connected to live storm updates and local instructions.
• Stay safe inside your car: If you have a passenger or are able to pull over, connect to your state’s Department of Transportation or Office of Emergency Management website to find local evacuation routes. Don’t attempt to drive through floodwaters. Remember, “Turn around, don’t drown.” Do your best to avoid bridges. If your area is flooding, drive to higher ground. Be aware that stop lights may have lost power, so check your surroundings twice before driving through intersections. You can also locate New Jersey emergency shelters in your area through FEMA’s mobile app. Be sure to stop when you need a rest.

Regardless of where you are, your best chance at remaining safe during a hurricane, aside from keeping your emergency kit close, is to stay connected to local, live updates. If you’re ordered to evacuate, don’t hesitate to get moving.

Stay Safe after the New Jersey Hurricane Passes

After the storm passes, hazardous conditions may still be present. If you’ve evacuated, stay put until otherwise instructed by local officials. Otherwise, follow these action steps to keep safe once the hurricane has left the area:

• Avoid floodwaters: Never attempt to drive, walk, or swim through floodwaters. There may be debris, chemicals, power lines, or even animals in the water.
• Avoid entering other buildings: Try not to head to another location until it’s been inspected. Electrical systems, gas lines, septic and plumbing systems may have been damaged during the hurricane, and can present dangerous conditions.  
• Put on safety gear: Suit up in your rubber boots and gloves, safety glasses, and masks if your current location was hit hard by the hurricane. Storms can stir up potentially dangerous airborne debris like mold and dust. You may also have snakes or other pests in your home to watch out for.
• Don’t turn on electronics: If there’s been flooding in your area, carefully inspect all electronic devices for moisture before powering them on.
• Air out your home: Open doors and windows to allow fresh air to circulate through the home and also allow any standing water to move out.
• Toss any contaminated food: Food that may have perished due to power outages or has otherwise been compromised by floodwaters or heavy rainfall should be tossed. Also be sure to wait until the “OK” is given from local officials before using tap water, though you may choose to boil or otherwise purify it for use in the meantime.
• Perform a deep clean: All surfaces that got wet from the hurricane should be cleaned and disinfected ASAP.

Finally, you may wish to connect with any friends, family, or other emergency contacts outside of your area to update them on your status after the hurricane has passed. If your home has become unlivable, you might want to make temporary lodging arrangements with your emergency contacts as well.

Why Work with a New Jersey Independent Insurance Agent?

In order to get the protection you need and deserve, you’ll want to work with a trusted expert. And who could be better for the job than a local agent who shares your area code? Independent insurance agents act as your own personal insurance shoppers, offering you tons more options than one-policy companies. With just one call, they’ll hook you up with multiple quotes.

New Jersey independent insurance agents are armed with knowledge on what coverage is needed in your area, and they’ll get you set up with just enough of it — not too little, not too much. They’ll handle all the heavy lifting so you can rest assured you’ll be set up with the right coverage at the right price.

They’re not just there at the beginning either. If disaster strikes, your New Jersey agent will be there to help walk you through the claims process and make sure you’re getting the benefits you're entitled to. Now that’s thinking ahead.