What should I do first after a storm hits my roof?
Your safety comes first. Stay off the roof, and stay out of any room with a sagging ceiling or visible sparks, wires or water pouring in. Then follow these steps:
- Move belongings away from the leak and put out buckets.
- Take clear photos of the damage from the ground and inside the house, with dates.
- Call your insurance company to report the claim and ask what they need.
- Call a roofer to make the roof watertight with a tarp or temporary patch.
- Keep receipts for any emergency work, since your insurer may ask for them.
Avoid door-to-door contractors who show up right after a storm and ask for money up front. Ask any roofer for a written quote, and check that their paperwork is in order before you agree.

