Nor’easters are a pretty regular part of life in New England and especially along the Northshore in towns like Beverly, Ipswich, Newburyport and Salisbury but a little preparation before the storm can go a long way toward preventing a small problem from becoming a major one. Before the snow, wind and rain arrive, take a few minutes to walk around your home and make sure the basics are ready.
Roll up your car windows! Seriously, double check them - sunroofs too. Clear leaves, branches and other debris from gutters and make sure downspouts are directing water away from the foundation. If you have window wells, check that they are clear of debris and that water has somewhere to drain. Secure outdoor furniture, grills and anything else that could become a problem in high winds. Grill covers love to blow away, get a bunjee cord or tie them down.
It is also a good time to check your roof from the ground for missing or damaged shingles and make sure you know where your main water shutoff is located.
Heavy rain can put a lot of water around your foundation, and a working sump pump can be the difference between a dry basement and a very expensive cleanup.
Before the storm, check your sump system, especially if the pump hasn't run in a while:
If your basement has ever taken on water during a major storm, this is one system you really don't want to discover has a problem when the water is already coming in.
Charge phones, laptops and portable battery packs before the storm. If you have a generator, make sure it is ready to go and that you know how to operate it safely. Never run a generator inside a home, garage or other enclosed space.
It is also worth knowing which appliances and systems you would want to keep running during an outage. For many homeowners, that means the refrigerator, heating system, internet equipment and sump pump.
Make sure you have flashlights, batteries, drinking water and a few days of basic supplies on hand. If you use oil, propane or another fuel source for heat, check your supply before the storm arrives.
And if you have a fireplace or wood stove, make sure your chimney and flue are in good working order before you need them. Bring extra wood in out of the rain before it starts.
A nor’easter is a lot easier to deal with when you're preparing for it instead of reacting to it. A few minutes spent checking your home before the storm can save a lot of time, money and stress afterward.