Storm Season Water Damage Prep Checklist for Weehawken, NJ

By the Weehawken Water Damage Pros team · Published 2026

Why prepare ahead

Storms rarely give much warning. Heavy rain, wind and surge can overwhelm drains and roofs quickly. Most of the steps that protect a building are simple, cost little and are far easier to do on a dry day than in the middle of a storm.

Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012 both brought storm surge flooding to parts of Hudson County, including Jersey City. Those storms remain reminders that preparation matters for buildings across the area.

Outside the building

Grading matters too. The soil next to your foundation should slope away from the building. If water pools there after rain, ask a landscaper or contractor about fixing it.

Inside the building

1. Know your shutoffs

   Find the main water valve and the electrical panel, and make sure everyone in the household knows where they are.

2. Test the sump pump

   If you have one, pour water into the pit to see that it starts. Check the discharge line and consider a battery backup.

3. Move valuables up

   Store important papers, electronics and keepsakes on shelves or higher floors.

4. Raise appliances if you can

   Items on the floor of a basement can be put on blocks or pallets.

5. Photograph your property

   Take photos of each room for your insurance records.

6. Review your insurance

   Read your policy and ask about flood and sewer backup coverage.

Flood risk and the FEMA map

Check the FEMA flood map for your address to see whether it sits in a mapped flood zone. Flood insurance is a separate product from standard homeowners coverage, and policies often have a waiting period before they begin, so do not wait for a forecast.

For rules that affect your building, ask the Weehawken building department. See flood damage restoration and basement water damage cleanup for what recovery involves.

If water gets in

Stay out of standing water if there is any chance it touches outlets, appliances or the panel. Shut off power to affected areas only if you can do so safely. Photograph the damage, then call the line. We start with extraction and then move to drying.

After a storm, do not run a vacuum on wet carpet, and do not use a gas generator indoors. Stay clear of downed lines. Our storm water damage cleanup page describes the steps we take after a storm.

Make a household plan

Write down phone numbers, the location of shutoffs and your insurance claim number. Keep a charged phone, flashlight and a copy of key documents in a dry bag. If you live in a multi-unit building, ask management about their storm plan.

Garages, lower levels and elevators

In many multi-unit buildings, the lowest levels hold garages, storage and mechanical rooms. Ask building management how those spaces are protected, who responds to water and where tenants should move vehicles. Elevators in flooded shafts need inspection before use.

If you keep items in a storage cage, lift boxes off the floor and avoid storing papers or electronics at ground level. Use plastic bins with lids rather than cardboard.

After the storm

Walk the building when it is safe, looking for new stains, damp carpet and pooled water. Photograph anything you find before moving it. Report problems to building management quickly so a riser or roof leak can be addressed.

Keep receipts for emergency purchases such as tarps, fans and lodging. They may be useful in an insurance claim.

Supplies worth keeping on hand

A small kit saves time during a storm. Include a flashlight, spare batteries, heavy duty trash bags, rubber gloves, plastic sheeting, duct tape, a wet dry vacuum and a few old towels. Keep them together in a dry place that is not in the basement.

Store a printed copy of your insurance policy, your agent's phone number and the line for our crew. Power and internet can fail, and a paper list works when a phone battery runs low.

Practice the plan once

Walk through your plan with everyone in the household. Show them the main shutoff, the panel, the flashlight and the folder with documents. Decide who calls whom and where to meet if you must leave. A short rehearsal reveals gaps, such as a shutoff that is blocked by boxes.

Update the plan each year. Phone numbers change, insurance renews and buildings get renovated. A plan that is current is much more useful than one that is thorough but out of date.

If the forecast is serious, move cars from low garages, charge your devices and check on neighbors who may need help. Community habits matter in a storm, since a quick favor from someone next door can save a basement. Keep the line for our crew saved in your phone before you need it. If you can, add a short note on the list for each family member so tasks are clear.

After the storm passes, give yourself time to look rather than rush. A calm walk through the building with a phone camera often reveals damp carpet, stained ceilings or pooled water that is easy to miss in the first hour. Note what you find and call early, since quick drying keeps repairs smaller.