Nor’easter checklist
Since most of you are our neighbors, I wanted to get something out quick this morning. Be safe out there.
Rain and wind start this afternoon, and our trees are still full of leaves, so expect branches down and some outages.
Quick checklist
Before the rain starts:
Walk the downspouts and make sure water has somewhere to go, pointed away from the foundation. Gutters only if it's calm and you're comfortable on a ladder. Not once the wind picks up.
Clear the storm drain in front of your house. Leaves on the grate turn your street into a pond.
Test the sump pump. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure it kicks on. We covered this in Issue #4.
Bring in or tie down anything that can fly: patio cushions, umbrellas, trash cans, and yes, the porch pumpkins and mums.
Park away from trees if you can.
Charge phones and power banks and find the flashlights.
If you run a generator, keep it outside and at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents. Never in the garage, even with the door open.
During the storm:
Treat every downed wire as live. Stay well back from it and from anything it touches, including trees, fences, and puddles. Call 911 or Eversource at 800-286-2000. Report outages to Eversource too, and don't assume a neighbor already did.
Town tree down or a storm drain backing up? That's Fairfield DPW, (203) 256-3177.
After:
Branches and storm debris to haul away? We have three junk removal companies in our directory, free to browse: fairfieldtownandtrade.com/fairfield-contractor-directory
Stay dry. See you next week.
Fairfield Town and Trade is proudly owned and operated by a disabled veteran.
Need somebody to do the work?
Our contractor directory has nine local businesses in it now, and it's free to browse: fairfieldtownandtrade.com/fairfield-contractor-directory
These are neighbors and recommendations, not a paid lead service. Nobody bids for your call. We do ask that you verify licensing and insurance yourself, same as you would with anyone.
Contractors: if you want to be in it, the first three months are free and we don't ask for a card. fairfieldtownandtrade.com/get-listed
Fairfield Town and Trade is proudly owned and operated by a disabled veteran.
