Living along the North Shore has so many rewards, but anyone who has spent a few summers here knows our weather can pivot on a dime. With local weather advisories tracking periods of heavy rain and localized downpours stretching through the weekend, it is a great reminder of how quickly our streets and yards can take on water.
Instead of letting a rainy forecast catch us off guard, a little practical prep goes a long way. Whether you are out running errands or checking your home after a heavy downpour, here is a grounded, no-panic guide on what to do if you encounter standing water on the road or in your basement.
Part 1: Driving Through Standing Water
We have all been there: you are driving down a familiar neighborhood road, and suddenly a low-lying spot is holding a lot more water than expected. When visibility drops and water pools, the best approach is always calm caution.
Respect the depth: It is genuinely hard to tell how deep water is just by looking at it. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most standard passenger cars and can cause you to lose control or stall out. Just a foot of water is enough to make many vehicles buoyant, and two feet of rushing water can easily sweep away large vehicles.
Turn around when in doubt: If a street looks flooded, the safest and smartest move is simply to turn around and find an alternate route.
Protect your engine: If your car happens to stall out in deep water, resist the urge to try and restart it. Water getting drawn into the engine can turn a temporary stall into permanent, severe damage. If water is rising rapidly around you, focus on getting safely to higher ground.
Part 2: What to Do If Your Basement Takes on Water
Heavy, persistent downpours can test even the most resilient drainage systems and sump pumps. Finding water in your basement is never fun, but moving methodically helps keep things manageable.
Safety first with electricity: Never step into standing basement water if there is any chance it is touching submerged outlets, cords, or your electrical panel. Head straight to your circuit breaker and shut off the power to the basement if you can safely reach it from a dry spot. If you cannot get to the panel safely, call a professional or your utility provider right away.
Track down the source: Take a quick look to see where the water is coming from. Is it heavy groundwater seepage, a stubborn window well, an overwhelmed sump pump, or a backup? Knowing the source helps you—or a specialist—fix it faster.
Document everything for insurance: Before you start clearing things out or moving ruined items, take a few clear photos and videos of the water levels and affected areas. Having a visual record makes filing an insurance claim much smoother.
Tackle the cleanup early: If the water is shallow and clean, a shop vacuum, a reliable sump pump, or good old-fashioned mops can make quick work of it. Set up fans and a dehumidifier to get air moving, as keeping the space dry is key to preventing mold growth before it starts.
Keeping Our Community Connected
Weather like this is just part of living in our neck of the woods. By keeping a cool head, watching out for each other on the roads, and taking care of our homes step-by-step, we can weather any storm that comes across the North Shore. Stay safe out there this weekend!