Before high winds: a practical home checklist for Central NJ

The National Weather Service recommends making a list of outdoor items to secure or put away before high winds. Start with things you can reach safely, such as lightweight furniture, empty planters and loose decorations, and decide where each item will go. The point of a written list is to avoid remembering one more object when the weather has already changed and everyone should be heading indoors.

Look at the house from a safe position on the ground and note anything you want a professional to review later. Keep those observations specific: which side of the house, which gutter section and whether the concern was there before the forecast. A note saying that the gutter beside the driveway looks detached is more useful for the initial conversation than a general statement that the whole roof needs work.

Securing loose gutters and shutters is part of the National Weather Service's preparation guidance. For a homeowner, that can mean arranging appropriate help before a storm rather than attempting work at height yourself. If you cannot safely reach an item or are unsure how it should be attached, put it on the contractor list and keep the preparation task separate from the repair task.

When you ask about gutters, describe what you actually noticed rather than deciding what caused it. A contractor may need to examine the attachment and surrounding materials before proposing work, so a photograph alone should not become a promise about the repair. Keep any old estimates or gutter maintenance records with your notes so the person assessing the property can see what has already been discussed or completed.

The National Weather Service recommends identifying an interior room where you can shelter during a high wind warning. Its guidance also says people in mobile homes should identify a sturdy building to reach before the winds pick up. Discuss the plan with the household in advance, including anyone who may need help moving to the chosen location, so preparation does not depend on a last minute conversation.

Charge essential devices ahead of time and keep a way to receive current weather information close by. The National Weather Service also recommends checking your emergency kit and having three days of food and water for each person in your household. Before the forecast turns into a warning, make sure everyone knows where the supplies are and can reach the chosen shelter without searching for a charger, flashlight or missing item.

The National Weather Service says to go inside a sturdy building immediately when severe thunderstorms are approaching. It warns that sheds and storage buildings are not safe shelter and that sheltering under a tree can be deadly. A loose shingle, a noisy gutter or a photograph you still want to take can wait while you follow the shelter guidance for the weather affecting your location.

Leave any unfinished outdoor tasks on the list and stay focused on the shelter plan while the warning is active. Keep the phone numbers you may need with you, along with the notes and photographs you already collected before the weather changed. When you later speak with a contractor, tell them which areas you were able to observe and which still need a closer look, rather than going outside to complete the record.

For a later roofing conversation, write down when you first noticed the issue and whether it appears to have changed. Include the property address, the part of the house involved and any previous work you know about, with photographs only if you can obtain them safely. You do not need to choose between repair and replacement before contacting a contractor; establishing what needs to be examined is a reasonable first step.

Ask what the assessment will cover and what information would help the team prepare for the visit. If you receive a proposal, ask which observations support the proposed work, what materials are included and which questions remain unanswered until the area can be examined more closely. Write down the answers beside the proposal so you can compare the actual scope of work and follow up on anything that is still unclear before making a decision.

For the safety checklist, read the National Weather Service guidance on [preparing for high winds](https://www.weather.gov/safety/wind-before). Keep its advice on [sheltering during high winds](https://www.weather.gov/safety/wind-during) and [what to do during severe weather](https://www.weather.gov/safety/thunderstorm-during) with your household plan. Check the current local forecast and alerts as well, then review who will put away outdoor items, where everyone will meet and which supplies still need attention.

A&J Professional Services provides roofing, siding, [gutters](/gutters) and commercial roofing services in Central New Jersey. To arrange an assessment, [contact the team](/contact) with the property address, the part of the house involved and a brief description of what you noticed. Ask about the next available appointment, have your notes ready for the conversation and keep a copy of the agreed next step with the rest of your project information.