Roof Damage After a Storm: What to Do First

The storm has passed, and now there is water on the ceiling, shingles in the yard or a tree limb on the roof. The first few hours matter. What you do now affects your safety, how much water gets into the house, and how smoothly your insurance claim goes. This guide walks through what to do first after roof damage from a storm, in the order that matters. Roof damage after a storm is stressful, but a calm, step by step plan protects your home and your claim.

Is it safe to stay in the house?

Safety comes before the roof. Leave the house and call 911 if you smell gas, see a large tree through the roof, see the ceiling sagging badly, or notice structural cracks. Then check:

• Power lines. Stay far away from any downed line, and assume it is live. Call your utility.
• Water near electricity. If water is dripping near light fixtures, outlets or the electrical panel, turn off power to that area at the breaker only if you can do it from a dry spot. Otherwise call an electrician or your utility.
• Sagging ceilings. A bulging ceiling can be holding water. Keep people out of the room.

Do not climb onto a wet, damaged roof. It is slick, and storm damage can hide weak spots.

How do you limit water damage inside?

• Put buckets and towels under drips.
• Move furniture, electronics and rugs away from leaks.
• If a ceiling is bulging with water and it is safe, a small hole at the lowest point lets it drain into a bucket in a controlled way. Skip this if there is any wiring nearby.
• Run fans and open windows once the rain stops to start drying.
• Keep damaged items for the adjuster unless they are a health hazard. Photograph anything you have to throw away.

How do you put a temporary tarp on a roof?

A temporary roof tarp keeps water out until permanent repairs. Most insurance policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage, so ask your insurer what they cover for emergency tarping.

For most homeowners, the safe answer is to have a roofer tarp the roof. If you are on a single story, low slope roof in dry weather and have help, here is how a tarp roof temporary fix is usually done:

1. Use a heavy duty tarp large enough to extend past the damage on all sides and over the ridge, so water runs over it, not under it.
2. Secure it with wood strips (battens) screwed along the edges, not just bricks or rocks, which slide and blow off.
3. Avoid nailing through good shingles where you can.
4. Check the tarp after every wind event.

Keep the emergency job separate from the full repair. Ask for a written price on the tarp alone. If your area is under a declared state of emergency, California requires a contractor license for repair jobs of $500 or more, not the usual $1,000, so even a tarp job may need a licensed contractor.

How do you document storm damage for insurance?

Good records make for a smoother claim. Start before anything gets cleaned up:

• Take photos and video of the roof from the ground, the yard, the gutters, the attic and every stain or drip inside. Include wide shots and close ups.
• Note the date and time of the storm and when you first saw damage.
• Save receipts for tarps, fans, hotel stays and emergency repairs.
• Call your insurer to open a claim and ask what they need from you. Write down the claim number and the name of everyone you speak with.
• Get a written report from a licensed roofer with photos and a description of the damage. It helps when you meet the adjuster.

You can talk to your own insurer directly. You don't need a roofer to handle the claim for you, and you should be careful signing anything that hands your claim to a contractor.

How do you spot storm damage to a roof in California?

Storm damage roof problems in California usually come from wind and water, not hail. Look for:

• Missing, lifted or creased shingles
• Cracked or slipped tiles, and tile pieces on the ground
• Bent or loose flashing at chimneys, walls and vents
• Gutters pulled away or bent by water weight or branches
• Puncture holes from branches
• New ceiling stains, or old stains that grew
• Ponding or torn seams on flat roofs

For a longer list, see our guide to the signs you need a new roof.

How do you hire a roofer after a storm?

After big storms, out of town crews and door to door salespeople show up fast. Most of the trouble homeowners have after storms starts with a rushed signature. Slow down and:

• Check the California contractor license on the CSLB website. Make sure it is active and in the roofing (C-39) classification. Our guide on how to check a contractor's license shows how.
• Confirm they are licensed and insured, including workers' comp if they have employees. See does your roofer need workers' comp.
• Get at least two or three written bids and compare them line by line.
• Keep the deposit small. In California the down payment on a home improvement job can't be more than $1,000 or 10 percent of the price, whichever is less. See how much a roofer can ask for a deposit.

Read how to spot a storm chaser roofer and our unlicensed contractor red flags before you sign. A ConFacts report shows a roofer's license record and CSLB history with a Trust Score so you can check them quickly, even in a rush.

What red flags should you watch for after storm damage?

• A roofer who "noticed damage" you can't see and offers a free roof
• Pressure to sign the same day
• Offers to "cover your deductible," which can be insurance fraud
• Requests for cash or a large deposit
• No license number on the contract, or a name that doesn't match CSLB records
• A contract that assigns your insurance benefits to the roofer

If something does go wrong, our guide on what to do when a roofer does a bad job explains CSLB complaints and bond claims.

Frequently asked questions

Should I call my insurer or a roofer first?

Make the house safe and stop more water first. Then call your insurer to open a claim, and have a licensed roofer inspect and tarp the roof.

How long can a tarp stay on a roof?

A tarp is a short term fix. Plan for permanent repairs as soon as you can, and check the tarp after every storm.

Will insurance pay for a new roof after a storm?

It depends on your policy and the cause. Sudden storm damage is treated differently than old age and wear. Ask your insurer.

Can I cancel a contract I signed after a storm?

For repairs to a home damaged in a declared emergency, California gives you seven days to cancel a home improvement contract. In most other cases it is three business days.

Do I need a permit for storm repairs?

Small repairs often don't, but a re-roof usually does. See roof permit rules.