When you find roof damage after a storm, get everyone away from hazards, catch leaks with buckets, get any openings tarped, and photograph everything before cleaning up. Then call your insurer and have a licensed roofer inspect the roof before you agree to permanent repairs.

The National Weather Service logged 5,432 major hail events across the US in 2025, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Then the storm moves on. The damage usually shows up later, as a brown stain creeping across a ceiling or a drip hitting the hallway floor at 2 a.m.

What you do in those first few hours decides how much drywall, insulation, and flooring you'll actually end up replacing, and how smoothly your claim goes.

Is It Safe to Inspect Your Roof Right Now?

Stay off the roof for now. Wet shingles get slick, and a storm can weaken the roof boards in spots you can't see from above. A slow walk around the house and a look in the attic with a flashlight will usually show you what you need to know.

Before you step outside, look for downed lines and hanging branches, and keep kids and pets well back from both. If water's dripping near outlets or light fixtures, shut off the electricity to that area at the breaker panel before you touch anything wet.

Signs of storm damage you can spot without a ladder include:

• Damaged shingles lying in the yard or flower beds
• Dented metal vents, gutters, or downspouts
• Piles of shingle grit collecting at the bottom of downspouts
• Daylight showing through the roof boards in the attic
• Damp or flattened insulation between the rafters

How to Stop Roof Damage From Spreading Inside Your Home

Once everyone's safe, your next job is keeping water out of the rooms below. A few quick moves in the first hour can save you from tearing out flooring and insulation later.

Quick Fixes Inside the House

Water travels, and a small leak over a bedroom can follow a rafter and drip two rooms away. Set a bucket under every drip, and move electronics and rugs out of the wet zone.

Plastic sheeting over the floor buys you a bit of time. Hold off on pulling down wet drywall, though, since your roofer needs to trace the leak back to where it starts.

When You Need Emergency Roof Repair

If rain's still coming through a hole or a patch of missing shingles, call for an emergency roof repair right away. A roofer can cover the opening with a heavy tarp or boards until the permanent fix happens.

Ask for an itemized receipt for that work. Your insurer will probably want to see it.

Document Everything Before You Clean Up

It's tempting to sweep up debris and drag the soggy rug to the curb. Wait on that. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners advises documenting all losses before you remove anything, and it says insurers typically reimburse temporary repairs when your policy covers the loss.

Start outside, and take photos and video of the roof and gutters from the ground. Then head in and film every stain on the ceilings and walls. Most phones save the date and time with each shot, which helps show the damage came from this storm.

Next, jot down when the storm hit and when you first noticed the leak. Start one folder for your insurance claim, roofing receipts, and all, and keep it somewhere dry.

Who Should You Call First: Your Insurer or a Roofer?

You'll need both, ideally on the same day. Your insurer opens the claim, and a roofer tells you what's actually going on up there.

Contacting Your Insurer

Report the damage as soon as you can, and write down your claim number. Ask what documents they need from you. It's worth asking whether they want to inspect the roof before permanent repairs start, too.

Booking a Professional Inspection

Look for a licensed, insured local roofing company with an office in your area. Whether you call Done Rite Roofing or another established crew nearby, ask for a written assessment after the inspection.

A useful report describes the damage and its likely cause. It should spell out whether you're looking at a repair or a full replacement, plus any emergency work you need right now.

How to Avoid Storm-Chasing Contractors

Door-to-door crews offering storm damage restoration often show up in neighborhoods right after a big storm. A few take a deposit and never come back.

Try to get written estimates from at least two to three contractors and never make upfront payments without a signed contract. Skip cash payments altogether.

Before you sign anything, ask each contractor about:

• How long the company has worked in your area
• Its contractor license or registration number to check with your state
• Proof of general liability and workers' compensation insurance
• Who will pull the building permit for the job
• Contact details for a few recent customers

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I Personally Have to Pay for the Insurance Adjuster?

No. The adjuster your insurance company sends won't cost you anything, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. A public adjuster works for you, and you'll pay their fee if you hire one.

Should I Sign an Assignment of Benefits Form?

Read it very carefully first. An assignment of benefits lets a third party, like a roofer, deal with your insurer and collect payment directly. You don't need to sign one to get repairs done, and filing the claim yourself keeps you in control of it.

Why Is My Mortgage Lender Named on My Insurance Check?

If you have a mortgage, the payment for structural damage may go to you and your lender together. Some lenders hold that money in an escrow account. They then release it as the repair work moves along.

Your Next Steps After the Storm Passes

Handling roof damage after a storm comes down to doing a few things in the right order. Stay off the roof, keep everyone clear of downed lines, and slow any leaks with buckets and a tarp. Photograph everything before you clean up, then get a claim number from your insurer and a written assessment from a licensed roofer before you sign a contract.

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