Nor’easter This Weekend: A Contractor’s 10-Point Storm Prep Checklist for Westchester, NYC & Fairfield County Homes
A nor'easter is moving up the coast this weekend. As of Friday morning, forecasters (NBC New York, The Weather Channel) expect rain to start Friday evening, the storm to peak Saturday with gusts of 40–50 mph, and 1–2 inches of rain across NYC, the Hudson Valley and inland Connecticut before it tapers off late Sunday into Monday. Coastal Connecticut and Long Island carry the highest risk of downed trees and power outages.
That is not a hurricane, but it is exactly the kind of storm that finds the weak spots in a house: a clogged gutter, a sump pump that hasn't run since spring, a loose piece of flashing. Most of the water damage we get called about after storms like this could have been prevented with an hour of work beforehand.
Here's what we tell our own clients to do today.
Before the storm (do these Friday)
1. Clear your gutters and downspouts. Early fall leaves plus 1–2 inches of rain is a recipe for overflow. When gutters back up, water runs down the siding, behind the fascia and into the foundation. Make sure downspouts discharge at least 4–6 feet away from the house. If you can't get on a ladder safely, skip it and call someone.
2. Test your sump pump. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure the pump kicks on and drains. Check that the discharge line outside isn't blocked. If you have a battery backup, confirm it's charged. A pump that fails during a long, steady rain is the number one cause of flooded basements we see.
3. Secure everything outside. Patio furniture, grills, planters, trash and recycling bins, kids' toys — at 40–50 mph, these become projectiles that break windows and dent siding. Bring them in or tie them down.
4. Walk your property and look up. Dead limbs over the roof, driveway or power lines are the biggest threat in a wind event. You can't fix a big tree today, but you can move cars out from under it and know where the risk is.
5. Check windows, doors and basement entries. Close and lock every window (locking pulls the sash tight). Look for gaps at door thresholds and bulkhead doors. Rolled towels at a leaky threshold buy you time.
6. Move valuables up off the basement floor. Boxes, electronics, paperwork — get them onto shelves or upstairs. It costs nothing and it's the difference between an inconvenience and an insurance claim.
If the power goes out
7. Charge everything now. Phones, power banks, laptops. Have flashlights with fresh batteries — skip candles.
8. Know where your main water shut-off and electrical panel are. If a pipe bursts or water reaches outlets, you need to act in seconds, not minutes. If you don't know where they are, find them today.
9. Generator safety. Never run a portable generator in a garage, basement or near open windows. Carbon monoxide is the real danger in outages. Keep it outside, at least 20 feet from the house.
After the storm
10. Document, then call. Before you clean up anything, take photos and video of every bit of damage — roof, siding, ceilings, basement. That's what your insurance adjuster will want to see. Then:
Stay off the roof. Wet shingles are dangerous and a fall costs far more than a repair.
Stay far away from downed wires and report them to your utility.
Look for new ceiling stains, damp drywall or musty smells over the next few days. Hidden leaks show up late.
Get active leaks tarped fast. Water that sits in drywall and insulation for 24–48 hours is how a small repair becomes a mold remediation.
We're here before, during and after
Raimo Renovations is a licensed general contractor serving Westchester, New York City and Fairfield County. If you need a hand getting ready today — or if the storm leaves you with a roof leak, water in the basement, damaged siding, gutters, fencing or drywall — call or text us.
📞 914-361-5913
✉️ info@raimorenovations.com
We'll help you figure out what needs attention now, what can wait, and we'll document everything so you're ready for your insurance claim.
Stay safe this weekend.
— Anthony Raimo, Raimo Renovations