Checklist: How to Prepare for a Hurricane in New Jersey

While the famous Jersey Shore draws tons of visitors to the state annually, it’s also rather inviting to hurricanes. Hurricanes have cost New Jersey billions of dollars in damage over the years as well as many tragic deaths. Though there’s no way to ever be fully prepared for these stressful natural disasters, having a checklist of action steps to take on hand before, during, and after the storm can greatly increase your chances of keeping yourself and your family safe.

New Jersey homeowners insurance can protect one of your largest assets. The amount of liability and damage that can come from hurricane loss can be expensive. To ensure you're properly protected, consider reviewing your policies with a licensed New Jersey Insurance Agent.

Action Steps to Stay Safe before the New Jersey Hurricane Hits

If you’ve got the luxury of an advanced storm warning or even the knowledge of an impending hurricane season, take advantage of that precious time by doing your best to prepare for impact. Many components factor into surviving hurricanes, including good insurance coverage, a well-prepared home and vehicle, and other safety measures to ready yourself and your family.

Take the following action steps to prepare for a New Jersey hurricane before it hits:

• Make sure you have enough insurance: While your homeowners insurance policy will protect you against damage caused by high winds, you’ll also want to get a flood insurance policy to reimburse you for any water damage caused by flooding. New Jersey is also one of many states that requires a windstorm policy to further protect homeowners from damage caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, and cyclones. Windstorm policies provide protection beyond a regular homeowners policy’s coverage limit.
• Prepare your home: 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 against further unnecessary damage.
• 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. Double-check that your GPS is up-to-date.
• Build an emergency kit: Assemble an emergency kit to keep in your safe room and/or car for when the storm hits. Include the following: non-perishable food, bottled water, cellphones and chargers, radio, battery-powered TV, prescription medications and/or inhalers, multi-purpose tool, flashlight, pet food/supplies, protective gear, blankets, extra batteries, cash, first aid kit, and important documents inside a waterproof case.
• Install/update weather apps: Download and update weather and local emergency news apps on your phone, or otherwise sign up to receive local alerts. Have TVs and/or radios already tuned into the proper local news and weather stations.
• Prepare for evacuation: Check your state’s Department of Transportation or Office of Emergency Management website to find local evacuation routes. Memorize these routes before the storm hits in case you need to evacuate, and have a backup route in mind too. Pack an easy-to-grab suitcase or duffel bag full of supplies for a few days.
• Make arrangements to stay elsewhere: You might want to contact friends or family who you can stay with in case of mandatory evacuation. If you live in an apartment, you may want to make arrangements to stay with a tenant on a lower level in case of heavy winds, and a tenant on a higher level in case of extreme flooding. You can also look up New Jersey’s local storm shelters and become familiar with their locations.
• Prepare others for safety: Any family members who live with you, including pets, should be prepared for the disaster before it strikes. Rehearse emergency drills with your family beforehand, grab any supplies necessary to keep pets and children safe, and have everyone’s medications or other required personal items ready to grab quickly.

While it’s a lot of work, unfortunately preparing for the storm is only part of the battle. Next up, you’ve still got to survive the storm itself.

Action Steps to Stay Safe During the New Jersey Hurricane

Once the storm arrives, it’s really time to switch into action mode to protect yourself and your family. Study up on these action steps in advance to be prepared when the hurricane rolls into town.

Take the following action steps to stay safe during the New Jersey hurricane:

• Take shelter in a secure location: When the storm hits, take shelter in an interior room in your home away from all external doors and windows. Bring your emergency supply kit and phone/radio/TV with you to stay updated. In the event of flooding, take shelter on the highest level of the house (but don’t go into the attic) or apartment complex. If you’re driving when the area begins flooding, drive to higher ground or to one of New Jersey’s storm shelters.
• Stay connected: Keep live weather apps on your phone updated and tune in to your local station to stay informed. Following live updates is crucial in order to follow evacuation instructions if and when they are give as well as other emergency instructions dictated by your county.
• Evacuate if instructed, otherwise stay put: If evacuation is issued, don’t wait — go immediately. Be sure to grab the bag you packed on the way out the door. However, if you’re trapped by unsafe conditions, remain in the safest interior room. Don’t attempt to swim or drive through floodwaters. If you’re on the road, don’t try to drive through puddles — turn around. Also be sure to avoid bridges.
• Call 911 if in extreme danger: If you’re in a life-threatening situation, don’t hesitate to contact local emergency authorities. If possible, make sure doors are unlocked to allow rescue teams to enter easily.

During the storm, try to remain as calm as humanly possible and switch on local weather stations as soon as you get to your secure location. Remind yourself and your family of all the hard prep work you completed before the storm, and that you have a much greater chance of staying safe because of it.

Action Steps to Stay Safe after the New Jersey Hurricane Passes

After the storm passes, first breathe a sigh of relief, then roll up your sleeves and prepare for one last power round of action. Even though the storm clouds have disappeared, there’s still plenty of work to be done within and around the home before life finally returns to normal.

Take the following action steps to stay safe after the New Jersey hurricane:

• Check in with emergency contacts: Reach out to family, friends, or other emergency contacts following the hurricane to update them on your status and assure them you’re safe. If your home has become unlivable because of the storm, you may also want to make temporary lodging arrangements with them.
• 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.
• Take inventory of any damage: Take note of any damaged/destroyed personal property as well as any damage/destruction to your home and detached structures like sheds, garages, and pools. List any and all damage, no matter how minor or severe. Your insurance company might require you to get a professional assessment of the damage before making repairs. You may also want to get a professional inspection of your plumbing and electrical systems, which your policy will likely reimburse you for.
• File insurance claims: Many policies require you to file a claim within one year of a hurricane. But depending on your specific insurance company, the requirements and process for filing claims may differ slightly. You may also need to file auto insurance claims if your vehicle gets damaged by the storm.

Hurricanes can be extremely hectic and stressful disasters, but following this checklist of action steps during every phase of the storm could greatly improve your chances of staying protected. If you have any questions in regards to your insurance or how to file a claim, your New Jersey independent insurance agent can help you out.

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.