What to Do Immediately After Storm Damage to Your Roof

High winds and heavy rain across the Seattle-Tacoma corridor can cause real roof damage fast, and what you do in the first few hours afterward affects both safety and how smoothly any insurance claim goes. Here’s the order we recommend, based on 25+ years responding to storm damage calls.

Safety Comes Before Anything Else

Never attempt to inspect roof damage from the roof itself, especially after a storm when conditions may still be hazardous — a ground-level visual check and photos are enough for initial documentation.

The Right Order of Steps

After confirming everyone is safe, the general sequence is:

• Photograph visible damage from the ground for your records
• Contact your insurance company to begin the claims process
• Call a roofing contractor for professional assessment and emergency tarping if needed
• Avoid signing any repair agreement with door-to-door storm chasers before verifying credentials
• Keep all documentation and communication organized for your claim

Why Emergency Tarping Matters Before Full Repair

If your roof has active damage letting water in, a professional emergency tarp stops further interior damage while your insurance claim and permanent repair plan come together — this shouldn’t wait.