Before hurricane season in New Jersey, you should build a go-kit with 3 days of food and water (1 gallon per person per day), plus a radio, flashlight, batteries, and first aid, and stage a 2‑week supply and medications. Harden your home with rated shutters or plywood, clear gutters, secure shingles, and trim limbs. Look up your evacuation zone and routes, confirm shelters, review wind vs. flood coverage, and back up documents. Next, tighten each step.
Build a NJ Hurricane Kit (Go-Kit + 2-Week Supply)
Two kits cover most NJ hurricane scenarios: a portable go-kit you can grab in minutes and a 2‑week home supply in case roads close and services stay down. Build both from a hurricane preparedness checklist and store them where you can access them without power.
For your go-kit, pack 3 days of non-perishable food and water (1 gallon per person per day), a battery or hand-crank radio, flashlight, extra batteries, and a first aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, tweezers, and scissors. Additionally, ensure you understand home systems to effectively manage emergencies and maintenance needs. For the 2‑week supply, stock canned and dried food, water (same rate for 14 days), and 2 weeks of prescription meds. Add a manual can opener, utensils, and extra batteries for every device. Support food safety with coolers and basic cooking gear (pots, grill or camp stove, fuel, lighter). Include hygiene essentials, bleach, trash bags, and a lidded bucket. Add cash, chargers, and waterproofed documents.
Review and update your insurance coverage before hurricane season so you’re not scrambling after the storm.
Hurricane-Proof Your NJ Home (Windows, Roof, Utilities)
Before the first tropical system tracks up the Jersey Shore, harden your home’s weak points—windows, the roof system, and critical utilities—so wind, flying debris, and extended outages don’t turn into preventable damage. Start with window protection: install rated metal or polycarbonate shutters, or board up with exterior-grade plywood cut to fit snugly over each frame and fastened into framing, not trim. Consider impact-resistant glass or laminated film, and trim branches that could strike openings.
Next, prioritize roof maintenance. Clear gutters and roof drains, replace loose or missing shingles, and seal around vents, chimneys, and edges. Have a qualified contractor verify roof-to-wall connections; straps/clips and reinforced decking improve uplift resistance and support code-compliant storm preparedness.
For utility safety, test your generator, store fuel properly, and use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords without backfeeding. Set fridge/freezer colder, check sump pumps, and replace smoke/CO detector batteries. Don’t forget to stock an emergency car kit and basic supplies in case you need to evacuate or travel after the storm.
Know NJ Evacuation Zones, Routes, and Shelters
Find your zone now using protect.genasys.com: enter your address, zoom to the green-outlined zone, and read the pop-up for zone ID and status; use the legend to interpret status colors. Check the left panel for helpful resources from public safety officials and alert sign-up links. Cross-check surge exposure with NJFloodMapper and National Storm Surge Risk Maps (v4). Download county PDFs from NJOEM or local route maps (e.g., Ocean City, Ocean County Sheriff) so you’ve got offline access. It’s important to equip yourself with emergency supply kits tailored for survival during severe weather events. Follow local evacuation procedures and confirm shelter locations through your municipal emergency management—some public shelters activate only after a declared evacuation.
Check NJ Hurricane Insurance and Protect Documents
Because storm claims often come down to fine print and proof, you should review your homeowners declarations page now for terms like “Hurricane Deductible,” “Named Storm Deductible,” and “Windstorm Deductible,” confirm what triggers each (for example, a National Hurricane Center–declared hurricane with sustained winds), and verify you’re not assuming flood coverage that your standard policy typically excludes. In NJ coastal counties (Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May, and parts of Middlesex, Bergen, Hudson), hurricane deductibles can apply to wind damage; named storm deductibles may apply even below hurricane strength, while windstorm deductibles often cover nor’easters. These deductibles are often a percentage of your home’s insured value, typically 1% to 5%.
Additionally, familiarize yourself with emergency preparedness resources that can help you navigate storm challenges effectively. Confirm limits for the dwelling, other structures, and personal property, and ask your agent about deductible options and costs. Then build a home inventory: photos/video, serial numbers, dates, and values. For document storage, keep policies, claim instructions, and agent contacts in a waterproof container plus encrypted digital backups; add NJDOBI’s help line (609-292-7272).
Get NJ Hurricane Alerts and Track the Forecast
Once you’ve confirmed your coverage and backed up your claim paperwork, set up multiple, reliable channels for storm warnings so you don’t miss watches, evacuation orders, or road-closure notices. Start with statewide alert registration: enroll in NJ Alert for confidential email/text updates, and use NIXLE (text your ZIP to 888777 or register at nixle.com) for neighborhood-level messages. Keep Wireless Emergency Alerts enabled on your phone; WEA delivers NWS hurricane alerts automatically through IPAWS to threatened cell towers. Being aware of emergency contacts can further enhance your preparedness.
Add county and municipal systems for address-targeted instructions. Atlantic County uses Everbridge (save 609-345-6700 and text 58339; app network “atlanticcounty”). Burlington County offers CivicReady, and many towns use Swift911 or Rave (Millburn’s link is twp.millburn.nj.us/MillburnAlert). For tracking resources, program NOAA Weather Radio, monitor EAS on radio/TV, and follow ready.nj.gov, NHC forecasts, and @NJOEM2010. A hurricane watch is typically issued about 48 hours before conditions are possible, so treat it as your cue to double-check supplies and communication plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Safely Run a Generator Without Risking Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Run your generator only outdoors: follow generator placement rules by setting it at least 20 feet from your home, doors, windows, and vents, and aim exhaust away from occupied areas. Don’t run it in garages, basements, sheds, or any partially enclosed space, even with openings. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level and outside bedrooms, test them, and replace batteries. If symptoms hit, get outside and call 911.
What Should I Do if My Basement Floods During a Hurricane?
See water creeping up your basement steps? First, don’t enter until you shut off basement breakers; wear rubber gloves and rubber-soled shoes, and call an electrician if you’re unsure. Photograph damage for insurance, then move valuables upstairs and elevate remaining items. Pump out water slowly with a sump pump and battery backup, then start flood cleanup and dry thoroughly. Afterward, seal cracks, add backflow valves, and plan basement waterproofing.
How Do I Prepare My Pool to Prevent Storm Damage and Contamination?
Keep your pool full to resist groundwater lift, and set a siphon hose for controlled overflow. Retract an automatic pool cover; remove loose furniture and toys, and trim nearby branches. Balance water first: drop pH to 7.2, then shock with chlorine to protect chemical balance. Shut off power at the breaker and close heater gas. Afterward, clear debris before running the pump, then test, filter, and sanitize.
Should I Shut off Natural Gas, Electricity, or Water Before Evacuating?
Yes—you should manage utilities before you evacuate. For gas safety, you don’t shut off natural gas unless officials instruct you or you smell a rotten-egg odor; if needed, close the meter valve with a wrench. For utility management, turn off the main electrical breaker and unplug appliances to reduce flood/fire and surge risk. Shut off the main water valve to limit backflow. Don’t relight pilots—call a pro.
How Can I Prevent Food Spoilage During Extended Power Outages?
Prevent spoilage by prepping cold storage and limiting warm-up time. Freeze water bottles and perishables, group items in a full freezer, and stage coolers and ice packs—key food preservation tips. Keep fridge/freezer doors shut; move food to a cooler with ice after 4 hours. Use appliance thermometers (fridge <40°F, freezer <0°F). Discard meat, dairy, eggs above 40°F for 4+ hours. Build emergency meal planning.
