A major storm just rolled through Central Florida and you suspect your roof has damage. Maybe you see missing shingles from the ground. Maybe you notice a ceiling stain that wasn’t there yesterday. Maybe you just know — the storm was bad and your roof is old.
What you do in the next 24 hours matters enormously — both for preventing further damage and for protecting your insurance claim. Here’s the sequence.
Immediate: Ensure Safety First
Do not go on your roof immediately after a storm. Wet roofs are dangerous, and storm debris can hide hazards. Wait until the storm has fully passed and conditions are safe. If a tree has fallen on your home, keep the area clear and call us immediately — tree-on-roof situations require professional assessment before anyone goes near the structure.
Hour 1–3: Document Everything from the Ground
Before touching anything, document the damage with photos and video. Capture:
- Missing or displaced shingles visible from ground level
- Damaged gutters, downspouts, or fascia
- Any debris on the roof or in the yard that came from the roof
- Water stains or drips inside the home
- Date and time-stamp every photo
This documentation is critical for your insurance claim. Do not start any cleanup or removal before you’ve captured the full damage picture.
Hour 3–6: Call a Licensed Roofing Contractor
Call a licensed local roofing contractor before you call your insurance company. This is important: an experienced roofer can assess the full extent of damage (including damage that isn’t visible from the ground), provide an independent estimate, and install emergency tarping to prevent further water intrusion while your claim is processed.
Be extremely cautious of out-of-state roofing crews that appear in neighborhoods immediately after major storms. These “storm chasers” are common in Florida and often do substandard work, take your insurance check, and disappear. Always verify a contractor’s Florida license at myfloridalicense.com.
Hour 6–12: Emergency Tarping if Needed
If there’s any opening in your roof — missing shingles over exposed decking, a puncture from debris, or any area where the roof’s waterproofing is compromised — emergency tarping needs to happen before the next rain. Central Florida averages 53 inches of rain per year, with afternoon thunderstorms common from spring through fall.
Your insurance policy typically covers emergency tarping as part of your claim. Keep all receipts.
Hour 12–24: File Your Insurance Claim
Once you’ve documented the damage and arranged temporary protection, file your claim with your insurance company. Have the following ready:
- Your policy number
- Photos and video of the damage (with timestamps)
- An estimate or assessment from your roofing contractor
- Receipts for any emergency repairs or tarping
What Happens Next
Your insurer will assign an adjuster who will schedule an inspection. Ask your roofing contractor to be present during this inspection. Adjusters have heavy workloads after major storm events and can miss damage that an experienced roofer will catch.
At Storm Contracting, we assist Orlando-area homeowners through every step of the storm damage and insurance claim process — from initial assessment through final installation. We work directly with adjusters so you don’t have to fight that battle alone.
Storm damage? Call 888-764-7663 now. We serve Orlando, Lake Mary, Sanford, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, and all of Central Florida.