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The National Weather Service called it plainly on Friday: “A significant weather event is looking more likely Saturday.” That Saturday is today — July 18, 2026 — and northern New Jersey is squarely in the path. Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are moving across the region from before noon into the evening, with the NWS warning of “a significant risk of wind damage, along with a notable risk of flash flooding and even some potential for tornadoes.”
A Flood Watch runs from 10 a.m. Saturday through 2 a.m. Sunday for Bergen, Passaic, and Essex counties (along with much of the rest of the state), with rainfall rates that could top 2 inches per hour where the strongest cells train over the same towns. Large hail and damaging straight-line winds are on the table for the afternoon and evening rounds.
The third roof-damaging storm in two weeks
If this feels familiar, it should. Homeowners in Wayne, Paterson, Clifton, Hackensack, Paramus, Fair Lawn, Montclair, and the surrounding towns have now faced three significant weather events in a row:
- July 4: straight-line winds of 70–80 mph tore through Bergen and Passaic counties, downing trees from Paramus to Newark and knocking out power to more than 90,000 customers.
- July 15: a severe storm cell dropped quarter-size hail with 70 mph gusts on a track through Passaic, Rutherford, Hackensack, and Lyndhurst. Full details on the July 15 hail and wind event here.
- Today, July 18: multiple waves of severe storms with damaging winds, hail, and torrential rain.
That sequence matters for your roof. Storm damage is cumulative. Shingles that were bruised by hail on July 15, or had their adhesive seal broken by the July 4 winds, are far more likely to lift, crack, or blow off entirely in today’s storms. And with 2-inch-per-hour rainfall rates, any breach that opened in the last two weeks — a lifted shingle, a cracked pipe boot, loosened flashing — becomes a direct path for water into your attic.
What today’s weather does to a roof
Damaging winds lift shingles along the edges and ridge first, breaking the seal even when the shingle stays on the roof. Once the seal is broken, the next storm finishes the job. Wind also drops limbs and whole trees — after July 4, several Paramus and River Edge homes had trees resting on their roofs.
Hail bruises asphalt shingles, knocking granules loose and exposing the mat underneath. Hail hits often aren’t visible from the ground, which is why hail damage so frequently goes unnoticed until a leak shows up months later.
Torrential rain finds every weakness. It overwhelms clogged or undersized gutters, backs up under shingles at valleys and roof edges, and pours through any opening the wind or hail created. If your basement took water during the July 6–7 rains, today is a repeat test.
What to check once the storms pass
Wait until the weather clears — do not get on a ladder during or right after a storm. Then, from the ground:
- Look for shingles in the yard, driveway, or gutters, and for shingle tabs flapping or sitting crooked on the roof.
- Scan the roof edges, ridge, and around the chimney for lifted or missing material and bent or detached flashing.
- Check gutters and downspouts for dents (a hail clue), sagging, or separation from the fascia.
- Inside, check the attic and top-floor ceilings for damp spots, drips, or new stains — especially after the heaviest rain bands.
- Photograph anything you find, with a wide shot and close-ups, before touching it.
If a tree or large limb is on the roof, stay out of the rooms below it and call a professional immediately.
Insurance: document first, decide second
Wind and hail damage from a storm like today’s is the kind of sudden, storm-related damage homeowner’s policies are generally designed to address — but coverage always depends on your specific policy, your deductible, and what an adjuster finds. No contractor can promise your claim will be approved, and we won’t. What we can tell you is what makes claims go smoothly: documenting damage promptly with dated photos, getting a professional inspection that identifies storm-related damage (and distinguishes it from normal wear), and keeping records of the storm date. With three documented severe-weather events in Bergen, Passaic, and Essex counties inside two weeks, an inspection report that ties damage to specific dates is worth a great deal.
A free inspection costs you nothing and gives you a straight answer: real storm damage worth acting on, or a roof that came through fine. Either answer is useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get my roof inspected even if I don’t see damage after today’s storms?
If your home was in the path of hail on July 15 or high winds on July 4 and again today, yes. Hail bruising and broken shingle seals usually aren’t visible from the ground, and small breaches leak later. A free professional inspection settles it either way.
Does homeowner’s insurance cover storm roof damage in New Jersey?
Most policies cover sudden wind and hail damage, but coverage depends on your policy terms, deductible, and the adjuster’s findings. Nobody can guarantee an outcome. Document the damage with photos, note the storm date, and get a professional inspection report before deciding whether to file.
What should I do if water is coming through my ceiling right now?
Move belongings out of the way and catch the water. If a ceiling is bulging with pooled water, a small controlled drain hole can prevent a larger collapse. Don’t go on the roof in the storm. Call for emergency tarping once conditions are safe: (201) 429-9607.
How soon after a storm should a roof be inspected?
Within days, not months. Fresh damage is easier to tie to the storm date, and small problems are cheaper to fix before the next round of weather — which, this month, keeps coming.
In the path of today’s storms? Get a free roof inspection
Simple Roofing is based in Wayne and serves Bergen, Passaic, and Essex counties. We’ll inspect your roof free, show you photos of what we find, and give you an honest answer either way.
📞 Call or text (201) 429-9607 · Get a Free Roof Inspection · Storm Damage Repair
Serving Wayne, Paterson, Hackensack, and all of Passaic, Bergen & Essex counties.
Roof leaking right now? Our 24/7 emergency roof repair team tarps and stabilizes roofs same-day across Passaic, Bergen, and Essex counties — call (201) 429-9607.