Don’t Let the Next Nor’easter Catch You Off Guard: Essential Storm Preparedness for Queens County Property Owners

Living in Queens County means facing the reality of severe weather events, particularly the powerful nor’easters that regularly impact the East Coast. These storms along the East Coast of North America are most frequent and most violent between September and April, making year-round preparedness essential for protecting your property and family.

Understanding the Nor’easter Threat in Queens County

Nor’easters nearly always bring precipitation in the form of heavy rain or snow, as well as winds of gale force, rough seas, and, occasionally, coastal flooding to affected regions. The heavily populated region between Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Boston, the “I-95 Corridor,” is especially impacted by Nor’easters. Queens County sits directly in this high-impact zone, making residents particularly vulnerable to these destructive storms.

Threats from nor’easters and coastal storms include storm surge, high winds, heavy snow, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, rip currents, and beach erosion. Nor’easters can often last several days, affecting multiple tide cycles. This extended duration means property damage can compound over time, making proper preparation and quick response crucial.

Pre-Storm Property Protection Strategies

Protecting your Queens County property begins long before storm warnings are issued. Inspect your roof for existing leaks. Check the flashing around breaks in the roofing like vent pipes, skylights, and where the roofing system is adjacent to walls and chimneys. Check also for missing shingles. Even minor roof issues can become major problems during severe weather.

Before a storm hits, inspect, or have professionals inspect, trees on your property. Consider removing or pruning trees with forked, dead or diseased trunks, branches with dead tips, disease or rot, mounds or divots near roots, and other signs of decay. Dead or weakened trees pose significant risks to your home during high winds.

Additional protective measures include installing storm windows and replacing old garage doors with new ones built to withstand wind pressure and other impact. Weak garage doors can break down and allow wind and rain to ravage your home. Move valuable objects to upper floors. Basements are particularly vulnerable to flooding.

Emergency Preparedness Essentials

When a nor’easter approaches, having an emergency plan is vital. Take steps to prepare, such as having three days of food, water and other provisions in a disaster supplies kit. If you are not in an area prone to flooding and plan on riding out the storm at home, gather adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and are unable to leave. Prepare for power outages by charging cell phones and electronics and setting your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings.

Consider using the DFS Home Inventory Checklist to create a list of your personal property. Maintain off-premises copies of invoices and receipts to establish an accurate value of items. In the event that any of your belongings are damaged or lost due to weather, you need to be able to prove that you owned them, and also that they were in good condition at the time of loss.

During the Storm: Safety First

When severe weather strikes, prioritize safety above all else. Avoid driving or going outdoors during a storm. Flooding and damaging winds can make traveling dangerous. “Turn Around, Don’t Drown!” Don’t drive through flooded roads. Cars can be swept away in just 2 ft. of moving water.

Stay indoors and away from windows. Monitor local news and weather updates continuously, and be prepared to evacuate if authorities recommend it. Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies including downed power lines and gas leaks. Stay away from downed utility wires. Always assume a downed power line is live.

Post-Storm Recovery and Professional Restoration

After the storm passes, the recovery process begins. This is where professional storm damage restoration queens county services become invaluable. Green Island Group specializes in asbestos abatement, demolition services, and more servicing Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and NYC. Green Island Group Corp. has successfully completed over 5,000 restoration services projects in the New York State area. Our mission is to help as many homeowners return to a safe, secure environment as possible.

Green Island Group Corp. is readily available to provide services no matter the time of day. We follow NYS, NYC, and USEPA regulations to ensure proper removal and protection of workers and occupants. We are available 24/7 to manage emergencies related to fire damages and dealing with your insurance carrier. This round-the-clock availability is crucial when storm damage requires immediate attention to prevent further deterioration.

Our team of knowledgeable professionals has years of experience as a first responder contractor, restoring properties with damages from floods, fires, and other major environmental events. Their expertise extends beyond basic cleanup to comprehensive restoration that addresses both visible damage and hidden issues that could cause problems later.

The Importance of Quick Action

Time is critical after storm damage occurs. When facing storm damage, a prompt response is essential. Emergency Fire Services’ commitment to rapid and effective response in Nassau County, NY. The longer water damage, structural issues, or debris remain unaddressed, the more extensive and expensive repairs become.

Professional restoration companies understand this urgency and can quickly assess damage, stabilize your property, and begin the restoration process. They also have the expertise to identify potential safety hazards and address them before they become dangerous.

Insurance Considerations

Some insurers require hurricane deductibles for properties located in the five boroughs of New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties, and coastal areas of Westchester County. These deductible are usually a company-mandated deductible that applies when a storm is declared a hurricane, and are commonly 1% to 5% of the amount of insurance on the dwelling.

Flood insurance is mandatory for homes with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders in high-risk flood areas. Flood insurance can be purchased from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Even if your home is not in a high-risk flood area, you may want to consider purchasing enough flood insurance to cover the structure of your home as well as its contents.

Working with experienced restoration professionals who understand insurance processes can help ensure you receive fair compensation for storm damage. Great company, had a flood and they responded quickly and efficiently. Billed my insurance company directly. This direct billing capability can significantly reduce the stress and paperwork burden on property owners during an already difficult time.

Conclusion

Protecting your Queens County property from nor’easters and severe weather requires a comprehensive approach that includes pre-storm preparation, emergency planning, and post-storm professional restoration services. By taking proactive steps now and establishing relationships with trusted professionals, you can minimize damage and ensure a faster recovery when severe weather strikes. Remember, the key to weathering any storm is preparation – don’t wait until the next nor’easter is bearing down on Queens County to start protecting your most valuable asset.