What to Do If Your House Is Damaged by a Storm
A severe storm can leave your home with anything from a few broken shingles to significant roof, window, electrical, and water damage. Once the storm passes, it can be difficult to know what to do first. Your priority should be keeping everyone safe, preventing additional damage, documenting what happened, and getting the right help.
If your home has been affected by wind, hail, heavy rain, or flooding, this guide explains the steps you should take after a storm and when professional storm damage repair may be necessary.
1. Make Sure It Is Safe to Return Home
Don't immediately enter your home just because the storm has passed. If local authorities have advised residents to stay away, wait until they confirm that it is safe.
Before entering, look for obvious hazards such as:
Downed or damaged power lines
Broken gas lines or a strong gas odor
Structural cracks
Damaged roof sections
Sagging ceilings
Broken windows
Standing water near electrical equipment
Unstable walls, floors, or stairs
If you smell gas, hear hissing, see electrical damage, or believe the structure is unsafe, leave the property and contact the appropriate emergency or utility service.
The American Red Cross recommends checking the outside of a damaged home before entering and treating visible structural or utility damage as a potential safety concern.
2. Check for Water Coming Into the House
Storm damage isn't limited to what you can see from outside. Heavy rain and wind can create openings in the roof, around windows, doors, vents, or other areas of the exterior.
Look for:
Water dripping from ceilings
Wet or discolored drywall
Damp insulation
Water around windows
Wet carpeting or flooring
Standing water
Bubbling paint
Musty odors
Water inside cabinets or wall cavities
Even a relatively small roof leak can become a larger problem if moisture remains trapped inside walls, ceilings, or flooring.
If you discover standing water, avoid electrical hazards and don't use electrical equipment in or around the water unless it has been confirmed safe.
3. Turn Off Utilities if Necessary
Storms can damage electrical, plumbing, and gas systems. If you see sparks, exposed wiring, damaged electrical equipment, or other signs of an electrical problem, don't attempt to repair it yourself.
If water is present near your electrical panel, don't stand in the water to reach the panel. The Red Cross advises contacting a qualified electrician when the electrical system cannot be safely accessed.
Gas leaks are another serious concern. If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, leave the property immediately and contact the appropriate emergency service from a safe location.
4. Document the Storm Damage
Before cleaning everything up, take photographs and videos of the affected areas.
Try to document:
The roof and exterior of the home
Broken windows and doors
Fallen trees or branches
Water entering the property
Damaged ceilings and walls
Flooring damage
Damaged furniture and belongings
Appliances affected by water
Any visible structural damage
Take wide photographs that show the overall area as well as close-up photographs of individual problems.
This documentation can be useful when discussing the damage with your insurance company. The Red Cross recommends photographing or recording damaged property and keeping receipts associated with emergency repairs.
5. Contact Your Insurance Company
After making sure everyone is safe, contact your insurance company as soon as reasonably possible to report the damage.
Your insurer may ask for:
The date and time of the storm
A description of what happened
Photos and videos
A list of damaged belongings
Repair estimates
Receipts for emergency expenses
Don't assume every type of storm damage is covered. Coverage depends on your specific policy, the cause of the damage, and the type of insurance you carry.
For example, storm-related water intrusion and flooding can have different coverage considerations. Ask your insurance provider what your policy covers before making assumptions about your claim.
6. Take Reasonable Steps to Prevent Further Damage
Once the property is safe, you may need to take temporary measures to prevent the damage from getting worse.
Depending on the situation, this could include:
Covering a damaged roof opening with an appropriate temporary covering
Boarding up a broken window
Removing water that can be safely removed
Moving undamaged belongings away from affected areas
Placing containers beneath active leaks
Removing debris when it is safe to do so
Keep receipts for reasonable emergency expenses and document temporary repairs with photographs.
However, don't put yourself at risk trying to make repairs. A damaged roof, unstable structure, exposed electrical wiring, or contaminated floodwater should be handled by qualified professionals.
7. Start Water Removal and Drying Quickly
If rainwater has entered your home, drying the affected area should be a priority.
Water can move beneath flooring and into drywall, insulation, subfloors, and other areas that aren't immediately visible. Materials that remain wet can also develop mold and other problems.
The Red Cross recommends removing remaining water, drying waterlogged surfaces, and addressing materials that cannot be properly cleaned or disinfected.
Professional water damage restoration may involve:
Inspecting the affected areas
Removing standing water
Extracting moisture from materials
Setting up commercial drying equipment
Monitoring moisture levels
Removing materials that cannot be salvaged
Cleaning and restoring affected areas
The sooner the moisture problem is addressed, the easier it can be to limit secondary damage.
8. Watch for Signs of Hidden Water Damage
Not all storm damage is obvious immediately.
Over the following hours and days, watch for:
New stains on ceilings or walls
Peeling or bubbling paint
Warped flooring
Swollen baseboards
Musty smells
Damp drywall
Persistent humidity
Visible mold
Doors or windows that suddenly stick
These signs may indicate that moisture has moved behind walls or beneath flooring.
At Water Damage Repair Tech, our team notes that water can spread into subfloors, drywall, and framing when it isn't addressed quickly.
9. Don't Automatically Throw Away Everything
Storm cleanup can make you want to remove damaged belongings immediately. However, if you plan to make an insurance claim, document the items first and check with your insurer before disposing of them whenever practical.
Create an inventory containing:
Item description
Approximate age
Condition before the storm
Current damage
Purchase information or receipts, if available
Photographs
The Red Cross recommends keeping damaged items, or portions of them, until the insurance adjuster has inspected them when possible.
10. Know When You Need Professional Help
Some cleanup tasks can be handled by homeowners, but significant storm damage shouldn't be treated as a DIY project.
Consider professional help when you have:
Significant standing water
Water inside walls or ceilings
Extensive roof leaks
Flooded flooring
Wet insulation or drywall
Visible mold
Structural concerns
Extensive storm debris
Damage that continues to worsen
Areas that cannot be thoroughly dried
A professional restoration team can identify moisture that isn't visible and use specialized equipment to extract water and dry affected materials.
How Long Does Storm Damage Repair Take?
There isn't one fixed timeline because the extent of the damage varies considerably.
A minor incident involving a small leak may be addressed relatively quickly. More extensive damage involving roofing, flooring, drywall, insulation, structural materials, or mold can require multiple stages.
The process may include:
Inspection → Water removal → Drying → Damaged material removal → Cleaning → Repairs → Final restoration
The drying stage is particularly important when water has entered building materials. Simply removing visible water doesn't necessarily mean the structure is dry.
What Should You Do if Your Roof Is Damaged by a Storm?
If you suspect roof damage, don't climb onto the roof yourself unless you are qualified and it is safe to do so.
Instead:
Inspect the roof from the ground.
Look for missing or damaged shingles.
Check for visible holes or displaced roofing materials.
Look for water stains inside the home.
Photograph visible damage.
Contact your insurance company if appropriate.
Arrange for a qualified roofing or restoration professional to inspect the property.
Hail and high winds can cause damage that isn't immediately obvious from ground level, so a professional inspection may be appropriate after a significant storm.
What Should You Do About Floodwater?
Floodwater can contain contaminants and may create electrical and structural hazards. Don't assume that water entering your home is safe simply because it looks clean.
Wear appropriate protective equipment when cleanup is safe, and consider professional assistance when substantial flooding has occurred.
Water-damaged materials may need to be removed, cleaned, disinfected, or replaced depending on the type and extent of exposure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After Storm Damage
Waiting to address water intrusion
A small leak can become a much larger restoration problem if moisture remains inside the property.
Entering an unsafe structure
Don't enter a property with serious structural, electrical, or gas hazards simply to retrieve belongings.
Ignoring hidden moisture
Dry-looking walls and floors don't necessarily mean the materials underneath are dry.
Starting major repairs before documenting the damage
Photographs and videos can help establish what happened and support an insurance claim.
Attempting dangerous repairs yourself
Roof work, electrical repairs, structural repairs, and contaminated-water cleanup can involve significant hazards.
When Should You Call a Storm Damage Restoration Company?
You should consider contacting a professional restoration company when a storm has caused water intrusion, flooding, or significant moisture damage that you cannot safely handle yourself.
Water Damage Repair Tech provides 24/7 storm damage restoration for homeowners and businesses throughout Greater Austin, including Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander, Hutto, Kyle, and Brushy Creek. The company handles storm-related water cleanup, extraction, structural drying, and restoration.
If your home has been damaged by a recent storm, acting quickly can help prevent a manageable water problem from becoming a much larger restoration project.
Need help after a storm? Contact Water Damage Repair Tech for a professional assessment and emergency restoration assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first after a storm damages my house?
Safety should come first. Make sure local authorities have declared the area safe, check for structural and utility hazards, and avoid entering unsafe areas. Once the property is safe, document the damage and contact your insurance company.
Does homeowners insurance cover storm damage?
It depends on your policy and the cause of the damage. Some storm-related losses may be covered, while certain types of flooding or other damage may require separate coverage. Contact your insurance provider to confirm your specific coverage.
How quickly should storm water be removed from a house?
Water should be addressed as soon as it can be done safely. The longer moisture remains in flooring, drywall, insulation, or other porous materials, the greater the potential for secondary damage and mold growth.
Should I clean up before the insurance adjuster arrives?
Take photographs and videos before cleaning whenever possible. You may need to make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent additional damage, but check with your insurer before disposing of damaged belongings when practical.
Can storm damage cause mold?
Yes. Moisture left inside building materials can create conditions that support mold growth. Prompt water extraction and thorough drying can help reduce this risk.
Can I repair storm damage myself?
Minor cleanup and temporary measures may be possible for homeowners, but significant water intrusion, structural damage, electrical hazards, contaminated water, or extensive moisture should be evaluated by qualified professionals.
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