Step One: Safety, Not Assessment
Don't get on the roof yourself, especially with visible damage. A compromised roof surface is dangerous to walk on, and sizing up the damage isn't worth the risk. If water is coming in, move belongings out of the affected area and set out containers to catch the drips, but leave the roof itself to a professional.
Step Two: Document Before Cleanup Starts
Photograph and video the damage before any cleanup begins. Our insurance claim filing article covers this in more depth, but the short version is that once debris is cleared, some of the clearest evidence goes with it. Walk the property and document everything affected, including more than the roof. Gutters, siding, fencing and outdoor fixtures all count, and an adjuster reviewing photos later is better off with more documentation than less.
Step Three: Temporary Protection, Done Professionally
A tarped roof or boarded window keeps a bad situation from getting worse while permanent repairs are arranged. Leave this to a professional. A poorly secured tarp can cause its own damage in wind, and getting on a damaged roof carries the same safety risk noted in step one.
The Part Most Guides Skip: Avoiding Post-Storm Contractor Scams
A lot of storm damage advice stops short here, and this deserves direct attention because it's a documented problem. The FTC maintains an official page on avoiding scams after weather emergencies, and the pattern is well documented. Contractors, often from out of state, arrive in storm-damaged neighborhoods within days and go door to door, pressuring homeowners to sign contracts or pay large deposits on the spot.
Specific warning signs to watch for:
- Unsolicited door-to-door offers immediately after a storm
- Pressure to sign or pay before you've had time to think it over
- Requests for a large upfront deposit (25-30% is a commonly cited red flag figure)
- Claims of being sent by your insurance company. Insurers notify homeowners before sending anyone, so verify this claim directly with your insurer.
- No verifiable local presence, reviews, or licensing information
One legal detail to know: only a licensed public adjuster or attorney can legally negotiate an insurance claim on a homeowner's behalf. A contractor coordinating with your adjuster on damage documentation is normal and common. A contractor who says they'll "handle everything" with your insurance company, in a way that replaces your own involvement, is making a different and more concerning claim.
What This Means Practically for Homeowners
- Take the time to verify before signing anything, even if you're being pushed to act fast. Storm damage rarely gets meaningfully worse in the hours it takes to make one phone call to a local company you can verify.
- A legitimate local contractor will have a verifiable local presence: an address, reviews and licensing you can check. A business card alone doesn't count.
- If something feels rushed or high-pressure, treat that as information instead of something to push past.