Severe storms can arrive quickly and leave a lot behind: fallen limbs, missing shingles, damaged gutters, and sometimes entire trees on a roof or driveway. In the hours after a storm, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Knowing what to do, and in what order, helps you stay safe, protect your property from further damage, and make the insurance process smoother.
Step 1: Put Safety First
Before inspecting anything, make sure everyone is safe.
- Stay away from downed power lines and assume they are live. Report them to your utility right away.
- Avoid rooms with sagging or damaged ceilings.
- Don’t walk under trees with hanging or partially broken limbs, sometimes called “widow makers.”
- If you smell gas, leave the home immediately and call the gas company from a safe distance.
- Never climb onto a wet or damaged roof.
Step 2: Document Everything
Once it’s safe, start documenting the damage before any cleanup begins. Insurance adjusters rely heavily on clear evidence.
- Take wide photos and close-ups of the roof, siding, windows, gutters, and yard.
- Photograph fallen trees and limbs, including where they made contact with the house.
- Record video as you walk around the property.
- Note the date and time of the storm.
- Keep receipts for any emergency expenses, such as tarps or temporary repairs.
Step 3: Prevent Further Damage
Most insurance policies expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage. That may include covering broken windows, placing buckets under leaks, moving belongings away from water, and having a damaged roof tarped. Keep these efforts temporary and document them.
Step 4: Call a Tree Professional for Fallen or Hazardous Trees
If a tree or large limb is on your home, vehicle, or driveway, don’t try to remove it yourself. Storm-damaged trees are under tension and can shift or snap unexpectedly. A professional tree crew has the equipment and training to remove debris safely.
Tree services like Treemendous Tree Care can handle emergency removals and assess remaining trees for damage that might not be obvious, such as cracked trunks or loosened roots. Addressing those weaknesses now can prevent a second failure in the next storm.
Step 5: Get a Professional Roof Inspection
Even if you don’t see obvious damage from the ground, wind and hail can loosen shingles, crack flashing, and dent vents. These issues may not leak right away but can cause problems months later.
A thorough inspection from an experienced contractor gives you an accurate picture of the damage. Companies like DM Roofing, Siding & Windows regularly work with homeowners and insurance adjusters on storm damage claims, which can make the process far less stressful.
Step 6: File Your Insurance Claim
Contact your insurance company promptly. Many policies have deadlines for reporting damage. When you file:
- Provide your photos, videos, and notes.
- Share your contractor’s inspection findings.
- Ask how the adjuster visit will be scheduled.
- Keep a written log of every conversation, including names and dates.
- Review your policy for deductibles and coverage limits.
Step 7: Watch Out for Storm Chasers
After major storms, out-of-town contractors often go door to door offering fast repairs. Some are legitimate, but others pressure homeowners into signing contracts, ask for large upfront payments, or do low-quality work and disappear.
Protect yourself by hiring established local professionals, checking licenses and insurance, reading reviews, and never signing anything under pressure.
Step 8: Plan for the Next Storm
Once repairs are complete, use what you learned to prepare for the future. Schedule regular tree inspections, keep gutters clear, have your roof checked periodically, and store important documents and photos of your home in a safe place.
Final Thoughts
Storm damage is stressful, but a clear plan makes recovery much more manageable. Stay safe, document thoroughly, prevent further damage, and lean on trusted professionals for tree removal and roof repairs. With the right steps, you can restore your home quickly and be better prepared next time.