Up to five more inches of rain are forecast across northern New Jersey through Wednesday, on top of a storm that already flooded Glen Rock and Ridgewood streets. Here's how to protect a basement while there's still time.
Monday's Storm Was Just the Preview
On Monday, July 27, 2026, a slow-moving thunderstorm dropped more than three inches of rain on Glen Rock and Ridgewood in a short window, flooding roads and trapping at least one vehicle in high water. Water rescues were reported in Glen Rock, Hawthorne, and Fair Lawn as storm drains and small streams overflowed faster than crews could respond.
Meteorologists say that storm was only a preview. A larger, slower-moving system is expected to move into the Northeast starting Tuesday, intensifying over the region and threatening a more widespread and prolonged flooding event across New Jersey and Pennsylvania into Thursday.
A Flood Watch Is Already in Effect
The National Weather Service placed Bergen County under a flood watch beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday and lasting until the same hour Wednesday, forecasting one to two inches of rain during the day and another two to three inches overnight, with additional rain possible into Wednesday. Some forecasts put total rainfall for the region as high as five to six inches before the system finally clears.
Forecasters are warning of significant, potentially life-threatening flash flooding across the Northeast from this unusually strong summer storm. Urban neighborhoods and areas with older or undersized storm drains are being flagged as the highest-risk spots, exactly the kind of terrain common across older NJ and PA towns.
Why Storm Drains Filling Up Means Your Sewer Line Is Next
When storm drains and street-level runoff can't keep up with rainfall, that extra water has to go somewhere, and in many older towns it ends up pushing back into the sanitary sewer system. That is when homes with older plumbing, especially those with a floor drain or a finished basement below street level, are most likely to see a backup.
A sewer backup during a storm is not just an inconvenience. It can mean contaminated water in a finished basement, damaged flooring and drywall, and a cleanup bill that dwarfs the cost of preventive work that could have been done the week before.
What To Actually Do Before Wednesday
A flood watch is a window, not a guarantee of disaster, and there is still time to reduce the risk to a home before the heaviest rain arrives.
None of the steps below require a professional, but every one of them is easier to do today than at midnight once water is already rising.
- Test the sump pump now, including the battery backup if there is one
- Clear leaves and debris from gutters, downspouts, and any exterior floor drains
- Move anything stored directly on a basement floor up onto shelves
- Check that a backwater valve, if installed, isn't stuck open or blocked
- Know where the main water shutoff is in case a pipe fails under pressure
If Water Is Already Coming In
If a basement is already taking on water or a sewer backup starts during the storm, the first move is safety, not cleanup: avoid contact with backed-up sewage, keep electrical panels and outlets dry, and don't run appliances that may have taken on water until they've been checked.
Once the immediate danger has passed, Plumbarama's 24/7 line is there for exactly this moment, from an emergency sump pump replacement mid-storm to a full backwater valve installation once the rain clears, so the next flood watch doesn't turn into the next flood.
Figures reported by Patch and CNN/KVIA weather coverage as of July 27-28, 2026.
6 Things To Do Before the Next Round of Rain
The gap between a flood watch and the actual storm is exactly when this short list is worth doing.
- Test the sump pump: Pour a bucket of water into the sump pit and confirm the pump kicks on and drains it, including the battery backup if the home has one.
- Clear gutters and drains: Leaves and debris in gutters, downspouts, and exterior floor drains are one of the most common causes of water finding its way into a basement.
- Lift stored items off the floor: Boxes, furniture, and equipment stored directly on a basement floor are the first things damaged in even a minor backup.
- Check the backwater valve: If a backwater valve is already installed, confirm it isn't stuck open or blocked before the storm arrives; if there isn't one, it's worth asking a plumber about.
- Locate the main shutoff: Knowing exactly where to shut off water to the house saves critical minutes if a fitting or pipe fails under sudden pressure.
- Watch official flood alerts, not just the sky: NWS flood watches and warnings update faster than local conditions look outside, giving more lead time than waiting for visible flooding.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning?
- A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding and residents should prepare. A flood warning means flooding is happening or about to happen and immediate action is needed.
- Can a sump pump fail during a storm even if it worked last time?
- Yes. Power outages, a stuck float switch, or a battery backup that was never tested are common reasons a sump pump fails at the exact moment it's needed most.
- Is a sewer backup covered differently than flood damage on homeowners insurance?
- Often, yes. Standard homeowners policies frequently exclude sewer backup and flood damage unless a specific rider or endorsement has been added, which is worth checking before, not during, a storm.
- Should I call a plumber before the storm or wait until there's a problem?
- If a sump pump, floor drain, or backwater valve hasn't been checked in over a year, a quick pre-storm inspection is far cheaper and faster than an emergency call once water is already in the basement.