Storm Hit? Here's Exactly What to Do in the First 48 Hours

A severe storm just blew through your area. Trees are down, power might be out, and you are pretty sure something on your house took a hit. What you do in the next 48 hours can mean the difference between a smooth insurance claim and a frustrating, underpaid nightmare.

This is the exact process we recommend to every homeowner we work with. Follow these steps in order and you will be in the strongest possible position.

Hour 0-2: Safety First

Before you assess anything, make sure your family is safe. If you see structural damage — a tree through the roof, collapsed walls, or exposed wiring — do not go inside until professionals clear it. Call 911 if there is an immediate safety hazard.

If it is safe to be in your home, avoid going on the roof yourself. Wet, damaged roofing materials are extremely slippery, and structural damage may not be visible from above. Leave the roof inspection to professionals.

Walk the exterior of your home at ground level and note any obvious damage: missing siding panels, broken windows, downed gutters, displaced shingles on the ground, or debris impact marks. Just observe — do not attempt repairs yet.

Hour 2-12: Document Everything

This is the most important step for your insurance claim, and the one most people rush through. Thorough documentation is the difference between full coverage and a denied claim.

Photograph all visible damage from multiple angles. Include wide shots that show the overall context and close-ups that show specific damage. Photograph the ground around your house — displaced shingles, granule piles, broken pieces, and debris.

Photograph undamaged areas too. This establishes that you maintained your property and that the damage was storm-caused, not pre-existing neglect. Adjusters look for this.

Write down the date and time of the storm. Note the type of severe weather — hail, straight-line wind, tornado, or combination. Check local weather records and save them. The National Weather Service issues post-storm reports that document conditions. This data supports your claim.

If you have any pre-storm photos of your home exterior, save those too. Before-and-after comparisons are powerful evidence.

Hour 12-24: Call Your Insurance Company

File your claim within 24 hours of the storm. Most policies have a "prompt notice" requirement, and waiting too long can jeopardize your coverage. When you call:

Report the date, time, and type of storm event. Describe the damage you have observed without speculating about the extent. Ask for your claim number and the name of the assigned adjuster. Ask about your policy's timeline requirements for temporary repairs.

Do not agree to any settlement or assessment over the phone. The adjuster needs to inspect in person. Do not sign anything from any contractor who shows up at your door — storm chasers target neighborhoods immediately after storms and pressure homeowners into contracts before they understand their options.

Hour 12-24: Call a Reputable Local Contractor

You want a professional inspection before the insurance adjuster arrives. A good contractor will:

Inspect the roof safely with proper equipment. Document all damage with detailed photos and measurements that match what insurance companies need. Identify damage you might have missed — hail damage on a roof is often invisible from the ground. Provide a written scope of work that your insurance company can use for their estimate.

This inspection should cost you nothing. Any contractor charging for a storm damage inspection is not someone you want to work with.

Why get inspected before the adjuster comes? Because insurance adjusters are humans with heavy caseloads after storms. They might spend 20 minutes on your property. A contractor who has already done a thorough inspection can walk the adjuster through every damage point and make sure nothing gets missed.

Hour 24-48: Prevent Further Damage

Your insurance policy requires you to mitigate further damage. This means making temporary repairs to prevent water intrusion or additional structural problems. Common temporary measures include:

Tarping damaged roof sections to prevent water entry. Boarding up broken windows. Covering damaged siding to prevent moisture penetration. Removing fallen tree limbs from the structure (if safe to do so).

Keep all receipts for temporary repair materials. Your insurance will reimburse these costs. Take photos of temporary repairs as you make them — this documents your good-faith effort to protect the property.

Do not make permanent repairs yet. Your adjuster needs to see the original damage. Permanent repairs before the adjuster inspection can complicate or void your claim.

After 48 Hours: The Claims Process

Once your claim is filed and the adjuster is scheduled, here is what to expect:

The adjuster will inspect your property and create their own damage assessment. Have your contractor present for this inspection if possible — they can point out damage the adjuster might miss and discuss scope in real time.

The insurance company will send you their estimate. Compare it to your contractor's assessment. If the numbers are significantly different, your contractor can file a supplement — additional documentation of damage that justifies a higher claim amount.

Supplements are normal and common. They are not adversarial. They are how the process is designed to work when the initial assessment is incomplete.

What We Do Differently

At Renovation Revelation, we handle storm damage claims every week. We know the process inside and out because it is a core part of our business — not a sideline.

When you call us after a storm, we respond within 24 hours for the initial inspection. We document everything to insurance-company standards. We meet your adjuster on-site and walk them through every damage point. We file supplements when the initial assessment falls short. And we handle all the communication with your insurance company so you do not have to chase paperwork.

Our goal is simple: get your home restored properly, with your insurance covering everything your policy entitles you to, with zero hassle on your end.

Call (423) 494-4670 for a post-storm inspection.