What to do after storm damage to your roof

South Mississippi gets its share of hail, straight-line winds, and hurricane-season storms, and roofs take the brunt of them. If a storm has come through, the steps you take next protect both your home and your insurance options. Here's the order we'd tell our own family to follow.

1. Stay safe first

Don't climb on the roof — wet, storm-damaged roofs are dangerous, and you can cause more damage looking for it. Watch for downed power lines. If water is coming in, contain it inside with buckets and move belongings out of the way; if you have a bulging, water-filled ceiling spot, a small drain hole at the low point relieves the pressure before it collapses.

2. Document everything

3. Get a professional inspection

A lot of storm damage is invisible from the ground — hail bruises, lifted-and-resealed shingles, hairline decking cracks — and it can quietly shorten your roof's life without leaking right away. A thorough inspection documents what's really there, which is exactly what an insurance claim needs. Ours is free, and if the opening is active we can tarp it to stop the damage while the permanent repair is scheduled.

4. Understand the insurance clock

Most policies expect you to report damage promptly, and claim windows don't stay open forever. That doesn't mean rushing into a contract — it means getting the damage documented early so your options stay open. We provide the reports and photos your insurer needs and can meet your adjuster on site; the coverage decision is always the insurer's, but thorough documentation gives your claim its best chance.

5. Choose the right contractor

Storms bring out-of-town crews who knock doors, pressure you to sign, and disappear after the check clears. Take a beat and vet whoever you hire — license, insurance, a local address, and verifiable reviews. A roof problem can resurface months later, and you want a contractor who's still here to stand behind the work.