What Counts as Storm Damage to a Home?

High winds can tear shingles from your roof, rip off siding, or cause trees and branches to fall onto your house. Hail can dent metal roofs, crack asphalt shingles, and break skylights or windows. This type of damage often allows water to enter, leading to secondary problems inside the walls or attic. Addressing these issues quickly helps prevent more extensive repairs later on.

After a severe storm, inspect your property for visible signs of wind or hail damage. Look for missing shingles, dented gutters, or cracked window panes. Even small openings can let significant amounts of water into your home during subsequent rainfall. Document any damage you find with photos and notes for your records and potential insurance claim.

Storms can cause flash flooding, where water rises and enters your home from the ground level. This floodwater is often contaminated with sewage, chemicals, or dirt, requiring special cleanup procedures. Flying debris carried by tornadoes or straight-line winds can also smash windows, puncture walls, or damage the roof, creating immediate openings for further water damage.

Debris damage is not always from your own property. A neighbor's loose fence, patio furniture, or landscaping material can become a projectile in high winds. This type of impact damage is still considered storm-related. Flooding, whether from an overflowing creek or simply overwhelmed street drainage, introduces category two or three water, which needs professional remediation for safety.

• Rising water from overflowing rivers, creeks, or drainage systems.
• Sewage backup caused by overwhelmed municipal lines during heavy rain.
• Mud and silt deposits left behind after floodwaters recede.
• Structural damage from floating debris hitting the home's foundation or walls.
• Contamination from chemicals, oils, or biological matter in the floodwater.
• Damage to electrical systems, HVAC units, or appliances in basements.

If you suspect storm damage, start by carefully documenting everything. Take clear, dated photographs and videos of all affected areas, both inside and out. Make a detailed list of damaged items, including descriptions and approximate values. This evidence is crucial when you file a claim with your insurance company, as it establishes the extent and cause of the loss.

Contact your insurance provider to start the claims process. An adjuster will be assigned to inspect the damage and determine coverage. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered. It is often helpful to get a separate assessment from local water damage pros to ensure all damage is identified and can be discussed with the adjuster.

• Photograph exterior damage: roofs, siding, windows, and landscaping.
• Photograph interior damage: ceilings, walls, floors, and personal belongings.
• Save samples of damaged materials like soaked carpet or ruined drywall.
• Keep receipts for any temporary repairs, like tarps or boarding up windows.
• Maintain a log of all communications with your insurance company.
• Note the date and time the storm occurred for your records.