If it feels like your weather app has become the most used app on your phone this summer, you're not imagining it. Between flash floods, relentless downpours, tornado warnings and damaging winds, North Jersey residents have spent much of the season keeping one eye on the sky and the other on emergency alerts.
And when that familiar buzz or alarm sounds on your phone, knowing what to do can make all the difference. Bergen County Executive James Tedesco, who works closely with emergency management officials and has nearly five decades of experience as a volunteer firefighter, says preparation and quick decisions are key when severe weather strikes.
From avoiding flooded roadways and preparing for power outages to taking shelter during tornado warnings, Tedesco shared practical safety tips for some of the most common weather emergencies facing North Jersey this summer. As storms become more frequent and intense, he said residents should have a plan in place before bad weather arrives and stay connected to local emergency updates when conditions deteriorate.
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At home, it's important to make sure your gutters and leaders (the downspouts) are clean and positioned so water can flow away from your home, Tedesco said. If the spouts are pointed towards your home, the water can end up seeping into the basement. If there are any leaves or blockages in the gutters and leaders, you should clean them before any predicted rain.
If your location is also prone to flooding, you can look at the storm drains in front of your home before it begins to rain to make sure there are no visible branches or blockages. If those are clear, it gives a clear path for the water from the street to properly drain, Tedesco said.
If you are driving, Tedesco emphasized not to drive into any standing water.
"You can't tell how deep the water is or where the street will slope down and get deeper," Tedesco warned. "It only takes 6 inches of water to make car tires come off the ground and lose the ability to steer."
If a flash flood occurs while you're driving, try to stop and back out if you can safely. "If there's not much you can do, call 911 and give them your location," Tedesco said. "If you do become trapped in your car in flood waters, put the car windows down, as long as the water isn't above the window yet, so you can get out and climb to the top of your car and wait for help."
During a flood, the water pressure will prevent you from opening your car door. If the water is above the window, emergency personnel can break it during the rescue and pull you out, he said.
The law requires drivers to have their headlights on when the car wipers are on. If the rain becomes too much for the wipers to keep up, drivers can put their hazard lights on so other drivers can see you.
"If you can, safely pull over or stop under an overpass until the storm passes," Tedesco said. "When driving in that weather, you may not see that a road is flooded and end up driving into it. Try to find a safe spot to pull off and keep your hazard lights on until the real heavy rain passes."
If winds are 50 miles per hour, tree branches can break off and cause power outages. If there are leaves on trees, expect a lot of tree damage.
"Set up your house to be able to live without power and be prepared to make arrangements," Tedesco said.
If you are driving and see a downed wire, "always assume it's energized," Tedesco said. "Just because you can't see sparks or fire doesn't mean it doesn't have energy."
Do not drive over any downed wires either, Tedesco said. The wire could get caught in the wheel well, and if it is energized, it will electrocute the car.
Before any major storms, especially ones where there can be power outages, it's important to have a basic "to-go" bag ready that will have important items in it like daily needed medicine.
In your home, it's a good idea to have portable phone chargers to plug into a car and flashlights available.
During hurricane or tornado warnings, it is important to listen to all local warnings and be prepared to take any steps that are instructed, whether that means taking shelter or evacuating.
The basic precautions for hurricanes and tornadoes are similar. During a hurricane, you can expect heavy wind that will take down trees. But during a tornado, the twisting nature will lift things. "You have to watch for flying debris," Tedesco said. "You need to be much more aware of where you are. Stay in a framed doorway or basement and you want to make sure there's something around you to protect you."
If you are home, before the weather begins, it is recommended to secure any loose furniture or items outside to avoid hazards.
"As soon as a warning is issued, just bring everything you can inside," Tedesco said. "If you have a generator, make sure it's in a place you can get to safely and it has fuel."
During storms, you may not have running water or electricity, so it's important to have clean water also stocked at home or a hand or battery radio to help get local updates.
During natural weather disasters, it's also best to check the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website, where more preparation tips are readily available.
"During these types of extreme storms, public officials will put out statements and updates with specific recommendations," Tedesco said. "Try to stay tuned with local websites and social media to get the most up-to-date information for your county or town."
FEMA recommends the following:
Create an emergency kit. If you have pets, make sure to include things they will need.
Make a family communications plan. Plan how to communicate with family members if you lose power or aren't together when there's a tornado.
Know the signs of a tornado, including a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris, or a loud roar like a freight train.
Practice going to a safe space with your other family members, including pets. This could be a basement, cellar, or the lowest floor in a building. If you don't have a basement, go to an inside room like a closet or hallway.
If you live in a mobile home, it's important to pick somewhere safe, like a sturdy building or storm shelter, to go if your area is under a tornado warning.
Put on sturdy shoes. If you have a bicycle helmet, put it on to help protect your head.
Immediately go to the safe location that your family picked and take your pets if there's time.
Children should follow the instructions of your parents, caregivers, or teachers.
Protect yourself by covering your head or neck with your arms and putting things like blankets around or on top of you.
If you are in a car, get out and into a sturdy building. If you can see the tornado and it's far away and the traffic is light, you may be able to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to the tornado.
If you are caught in the car during a tornado and cannot get to safety, stay in it with your seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows, cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat, or other cushion if possible.
Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which can create traffic hazards and does not provide enough protection.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Here's how to stay safe during North Jersey's wild weather