Document the storm, from the ground

Nothing on this list is worth a fall or a shock. Do these before anything else.

• Stay off the roof and off laddersWet or damaged roofs, loose granules and storm debris make falls likely. Everything on this list can be done from the ground.
• Keep clear of downed or sagging lines and any gas smellIf there is immediate danger, keep clear and contact the appropriate emergency service or your utility.
• Avoid rooms with bulging ceilings or water near outletsA ceiling holding water can release it suddenly. Stay out from underneath and keep water away from electrics.
• Wear sturdy shoes and watch for glass and nailsStorm debris collects around the foundation, in beds and along fence lines.
• Make sure everyone in the household is accounted forPaperwork can wait an hour. People and pets come first.

Wide shots first, then closer. Zoom with your phone or binoculars rather than climbing.

• Photograph every side of the house, wide shots firstWalk the perimeter in one direction so the photos are in order. Wide shots show context, close-ups show detail.
• Photograph shingle pieces on the ground or in guttersNote where each piece was found. Loose granules in gutters are worth a photo too.
• Note visibly lifted, creased or missing shinglesUse zoom from the ground. Write which side of the house and roughly how high on the slope.
• Check gutters, downspouts and fascia for dents or separationDents on the top edge and gutters pulling away from the fascia are both worth recording.
• Look at vents, flashing and ridge caps for dents or displacementMetal pieces mark more easily than shingles, so they are often the first clue.

Water often travels before it shows. Look for new marks, then compare with how the room looked before the storm.

• Look at ceilings and upper walls for stains, bubbling or dripsPhotograph the whole room, then the mark with something in frame for scale.
• If it is safe and easy to reach, look in the atticDaylight where there should be none, damp insulation, dark staining on the underside of the decking. Do not step between joists.
• Note the date, time and room for each interior signInclude whether the mark is wet, dry or growing.
• Photograph first, then protect belongingsMove valuables and place a bucket under drips once you have the picture.
• Note any musty smell or ongoing drippingSmell and sound do not photograph well. A written note does.

Storms rarely touch only the roof. Other marks help show how severe the weather was at your address.

• Photograph vehicles with hail marks or debris damageVehicles are usually covered by a different policy from your home. Check which one applies.
• Photograph patio furniture, grills, play sets, fences and shedsInclude anything that was moved, bent or knocked over.
• Check window screens, skylights and air-conditioner finsTorn screens and bent condenser fins are common hail signs.
• Keep damaged items if it is safe to, until you know what is neededDo not throw away damaged materials before they have been photographed and you have checked with your insurer.

A simple, dated record is more useful than a perfect one.

• Write down the storm date and approximate timeIf more than one storm passed over, note each date separately.
• Note what you saw: hail size compared with everyday objects, wind, debrisCompare with a coin or a ball if you saw hail. Your description is an observation, not a measurement.
• Save weather alerts, news items or screenshots for that dateTake a screenshot with the date visible.
• Note when you first noticed each sign of damageSome marks only show later, after the next rain.
• Note any earlier damage or repairs to the roofA clear history avoids confusion about what is new.

You are collecting, not deciding. Your insurer and your policy settle what applies.

• Find your policy documents, insurer name and policy numberYour policy declarations page is a good starting point. Keep these private.
• Look for deductible wording, including any separate wind or hail deductibleWording differs between policies. Read yours rather than assuming.
• Gather roof age records: install date, past invoices, warranty papersIf you do not have them, write down what you know and when the house was bought.
• Keep receipts for emergency repairs or temporary protectionPhotograph the problem before it is covered.
• Start a call log: who you spoke to, when and what was saidA dated note after each call prevents misremembering later.