Storm Damage 24-Hour Checklist: What to Do Right After the Storm
The first 24 hours after a storm decide whether your insurance claim gets paid. Here's the hour-by-hour checklist.
Adjusters treat documentation older than 48 hours with suspicion. Do these steps in order, in the first day, and your claim survives scrutiny.
Hour 0–2: safety
Stay off the roof. Check the attic for daylight and active leaks. Move furniture and electronics away from ceiling stains.
Hour 2–6: documentation
Photograph all four elevations from the ground. Photograph collateral damage (gutters, screens, AC unit). Save any debris (shingles, granules).
Hour 6–24: mitigation
Tarp active leaks or hire an emergency roofer for a temporary tarp. Keep receipts — mitigation costs are reimbursable under nearly every policy.
Day 1–3: inspections & filing
Schedule a licensed local roofer for a written inspection. File the claim with your insurer (phone AND written). Pull the NOAA storm report.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should I sign anything from a door-knocker in the first 24 hours?
- No. Legitimate contractors don't need same-day signatures. Anyone insisting is likely a storm chaser.
Storm damage on your roof?
Check live storm radar, then use our tools to document damage and estimate repair cost.