Homeowner advice ยท Crows Roofing
Storm Roof Safety: What Homeowners Should Do Before and After a Storm
A practical safety checklist for Nebraska homeowners before, during, and after hail, wind, or severe weather affects a roof.
Before Severe Weather Arrives
Follow official National Weather Service and local emergency guidance first. Bring lightweight patio furniture, grills, toys, and tools inside when it is safe to do so. Move vehicles into a garage if possible, close windows, charge phones, and keep flashlights, batteries, medications, water, and weather alerts within reach.
Do not climb onto the roof to make last-minute repairs. From the ground, you can clear loose objects near the home and make sure downspout outlets are not blocked. Photograph the exterior and important belongings before the storm; current photos can help show the property's prior condition.
During the Storm
Stay indoors and away from windows, skylights, and exterior doors. Go to the safest location recommended for the hazard affecting your area. Do not enter an attic during lightning, high winds, or an active tornado warning, and never go outside to watch hail or inspect damage while severe weather continues.
If water begins entering the home, avoid standing water near outlets, light fixtures, appliances, or the electrical panel. Leave the area and call emergency services or the utility provider if you smell gas, see sparks, hear electrical buzzing, or suspect structural instability.
Wait Until Officials Say It Is Safe
A quiet period does not always mean the danger has passed. Monitor official alerts and wait for the all-clear before going outside. Watch for downed power lines, broken glass, sharp metal, unstable trees, loose branches, displaced animals, and flooded areas. Treat every fallen line as energized, keep people and pets away, and report it to the utility or emergency services.
Inspect Only from a Safe Position
Keep both feet on the ground. A storm-damaged roof may have wet surfaces, hidden openings, loose shingles, weakened decking, or unstable gutters. Do not use a ladder and do not walk on the roof. Use binoculars or a camera zoom from a safe distance instead.
Look for missing or lifted shingles, displaced metal panels, damaged flashing, pieces of roofing in the yard, dented gutters, detached downspouts, damaged siding, broken windows, fallen branches, or a visibly sagging roofline. Hail damage may not be visible from the ground, so the absence of obvious damage does not confirm that the roof is unaffected.
Check the Interior Without Taking Risks
Look for new water stains, dripping, damp insulation, peeling paint, unusual odors, or daylight where it was not visible before. Do not enter an attic if access is wet, the structure appears damaged, or electrical hazards may be present. Keep children and pets away from affected rooms.
Place containers under drips only when the area is electrically safe. Move belongings away from water and use plastic sheeting indoors if it can be placed without climbing or disturbing the ceiling. Do not puncture a bulging ceiling unless emergency professionals advise you; soaked drywall can collapse without warning.
Document What You Can See
Take wide and close photos or video from safe ground-level locations. Record the date and approximate time, affected rooms, visible exterior damage, and damaged personal property. Save receipts for reasonable emergency measures. Do not discard damaged materials until your insurer says they are no longer needed for documentation.
Prevent Additional Damage Safely
Homeowners are often expected to take reasonable steps to limit additional damage, but personal safety comes first. Do not place a tarp, remove branches, or attempt roof repairs yourself. Ask a qualified professional about temporary protection. If the home is unsafe to occupy, leave and follow local emergency guidance.
Contact Your Insurer and a Roofing Professional
Review your policy and contact your insurance company promptly if you may need to file a claim. Ask what documentation and temporary measures they require before authorizing major work. Coverage, deductibles, deadlines, and claim decisions are determined by your policy and insurer.
Arrange a professional roof inspection after hail, high winds, falling debris, or signs of water entry. Ask for written findings and photos. Avoid anyone who pressures you to sign immediately, promises that insurance will pay, asks you to assign benefits without explanation, or requests full payment before a clear scope of work.
When to Get Emergency Help
Call 911 for immediate danger, injuries, fire, suspected gas leaks, structural collapse, or life-threatening flooding. Contact the electric utility for downed lines or electrical hazards. A roofing contractor is not a substitute for emergency responders, utility crews, engineers, or public safety officials.