Storm damage documentation checklist

Safety first

No photo is worth a fall or an electrical injury. Document only what you can reach safely.

• Stay clear of downed power lines and report them to your utility.
• Don't enter damaged parts of the home until you know they are safe.
• Stay off the roof. Photograph it from the ground, from a window, or with your camera's zoom.
• Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and long sleeves when walking around storm debris.

Record the date and time of the storm

Write down the date and approximate time the storm hit and what you noticed, such as hail size compared with a common object, strong wind, or a power outage. This helps connect the damage to a specific event.

To back it up, NOAA's Storm Prediction Center posts daily reports of hail, wind, and tornadoes, which it labels preliminary. NOAA's Storm Events Database records storms by county, but it is updated monthly and can lag by up to 120 days, so a recent storm may not appear yet. Local news coverage from the day can help too.

Photograph and video the damage

• Take photos and video before anything is moved, cleaned up, or repaired.
• Make sure your phone records the date and time, or note them in a written log.
• Start wide. Photograph each side of the house from far enough back to show the whole wall and roofline.
• Then go close. Capture damaged shingles you can see from the ground, cracked or loose siding, dents, and torn screens.
• Where you can reach safely, put a coin or tape measure in the frame for scale.
• Record a slow video walk around the whole exterior, describing what you see.
• Go inside. Photograph ceiling and wall stains, active drips, and damaged belongings.
• If it's safe after the storm has passed, photograph hailstones next to a ruler or coin.

Check for collateral damage

Damage to things around your home can help show how strong a storm was where you live. It is a general indicator, not proof of roof damage on its own.

• Dented gutters and downspouts
• Cracked, dented, or loose siding
• Torn or dented window screens and damaged window trim
• Bent or dented fins on your air conditioning unit
• Dents in the mailbox, light fixtures, or other metal surfaces
• Damaged fences, sheds, and decks
• Fallen limbs or trees near the house
• Damage to vehicles, which is usually handled under your auto policy rather than your homeowners claim

Prevent further damage and keep receipts

The Ohio Department of Insurance notes that homeowners policies require you to take steps to minimize further damage, such as boarding up windows, and that policies usually pay for reasonable temporary repairs. Photograph the damage before you cover it.

If the roof needs covering, Blackridge does emergency tarping. Call 419-233-1888 rather than going up a ladder yourself, and keep the receipt for any temporary work.

• Cover broken windows or openings with plywood or heavy plastic.
• Put buckets and towels under leaks and move belongings out of the way.
• If the roof needs a tarp, have a professional put it on rather than climbing up yourself.
• Keep receipts for everything: tarps, plywood, fasteners, and any emergency service.
• Keep damaged materials and items until the adjuster has seen them.
• Hold off on permanent repairs until your insurer has assessed the damage.

Keep a record of every conversation

• Your claim number, written somewhere easy to find
• The date and time of every call or email with your insurer
• The name and role of each person you speak with
• What was said, what was promised, and any next steps or deadlines
• A short follow-up email or letter after important calls, so there is a written record

Keep copies of everything

Store copies in one folder, and back up your photos somewhere other than your phone. Send copies, not originals.

• Your full policy and declarations page
• All photos and video from the storm
• Contractor inspection findings and written estimates
• The insurer's estimate, letters, and any denial
• Receipts for temporary repairs and any extra living expenses
• Checks, payment records, and letters from your mortgage company

Before the adjuster arrives

Have your photos, storm date, call log, and receipts ready. A contractor's inspection findings and written estimate can help you point out everything that was damaged. The Ohio Department of Insurance also advises homeowners not to let a contractor inspect their property when they aren't home.

Our team also assists with the insurance claims process by inspecting and documenting damage, providing a detailed written estimate, and explaining how the process works. For what happens after the adjuster's visit, read how a roof insurance claim works, or return to our storm damage restoration page.