Storm Damage Emergency:
What to Do in the First 24 Hours

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Every year, thousands of homes across PA and NJ get hit by hail storms, nor'easters, and high-wind events that leave roofs damaged. What many homeowners don't realize is that the steps you take in the first 24 hours after storm damage are just as important as the repair work itself. Acting quickly and correctly protects both your home and your insurance claim.

Step 1: Stay Safe — Don't Get on the Roof

Your first instinct might be to climb up and assess the damage yourself. Don't. After a storm, decking can be weakened, surfaces are wet and slippery, and falling debris creates hidden hazards. Let a trained contractor do the roof-level inspection. What you can do safely:

• Walk around the perimeter of your home and look for visible damage from ground level
• Check your yard for shingles, granules, flashing, or gutter sections that have come down
• Look through upper-floor windows for any signs of ceiling staining or water intrusion
• Check your attic if it's safe to access — look for daylight coming through or wet insulation

Step 2: Document Everything Thoroughly

Documentation is your most important asset when filing an insurance claim. Before any cleanup or temporary repairs:

• Take photos and video from every angle — the roof, gutters, siding, windows, yard debris
• Date-stamp everything — your phone's camera does this automatically
• Photograph interior damage — ceiling stains, wet insulation, any water on floors
• Note the date and time of the storm and save any weather alerts or news reports about the event
• Gather pre-storm photos if you have them — from Google Street View, real estate listings, or your own files

Insurance adjusters use your documentation to determine whether damage was caused by the storm or by pre-existing conditions. The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim.

Step 3: Apply Emergency Tarps — But Do It Right

If there's active water intrusion or a large section of roof is exposed, you need to tarp it. PA and NJ homeowners insurance policies typically require you to mitigate further damage — failing to tarp can give your insurer grounds to reduce your claim.

• Use heavy-duty tarps (6 mil minimum) sized at least 4 feet larger than the damaged area on each side
• Secure with 2×4 boards to prevent wind from pulling the tarp off
• Never use a tarp as a permanent solution — it's a temporary measure until repairs begin
• If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, call us — we dispatch emergency crews across PA and NJ

Step 4: Call Your Insurance Company

File your claim as soon as possible. Most PA and NJ homeowners insurance policies have a window for reporting storm damage — waiting too long can complicate or invalidate your claim. When you call:

• Have your policy number ready
• Reference the specific date and type of storm event
• Describe the damage you observed without overstating or understating it
• Ask when an adjuster will be available to inspect
• Get the claim number in writing

You have the right to have your contractor present during the adjuster's inspection. We strongly recommend it — we know exactly what hail damage, wind uplift, and storm impact look like, and we can point out things adjusters sometimes miss.

Step 5: Choose a Local, Licensed Contractor — Not a Storm Chaser

After every major storm in the Philadelphia region, out-of-state contractors flood in, knock on doors, offer quick low prices, collect deposits, and do substandard work — or disappear entirely. These are called "storm chasers" and they've damaged hundreds of Pennsylvania homeowners.

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Contractor shows up unsolicited at your door hours after the storm
• Out-of-state plates or phone numbers
• Can't provide a PA or NJ contractor license number on request
• Asks for a large deposit before starting work (more than 10–15%)
• Pressures you to sign immediately or says the offer expires today
• No physical business address, no Google reviews, no BBB listing
• Offers to "work directly with your insurance" and waive your deductible (illegal in PA and NJ)

A legitimate contractor will provide their license number, have documented local work you can verify, give you time to review a written estimate, and never pressure you into signing on the spot.

What Happens After You File?

Once your adjuster visits and the claim is approved, you'll typically receive a check (minus your deductible) for the actual cash value of the repair. If your policy includes replacement cost value (RCV) coverage, you'll receive a second payment once the work is completed and documented.

At Shelby Roofing Services, we work alongside your insurer's process and help you understand every step. We've assisted hundreds of homeowners across Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, and Delaware counties navigate the claims process without surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions