After severe weather, the first useful task is to make a safe plan. You do not need to climb onto the roof, decide whether every mark is hail damage, or sign a repair agreement immediately. Focus on safety, documentation, and the next qualified assessment.
Use this checklist after conditions are safe. If a situation appears dangerous, stop and contact the appropriate emergency or utility service.
Step 1: Check for hazards from a safe location
Stay away from downed power lines, unstable trees, damaged buildings, and loose material. A roof inspection is not the first priority when the surrounding area is unsafe. The National Weather Service advises staying out of damaged buildings and reporting downed power lines to local authorities after a tornado. National Weather Service: safety after a tornado
Keep the household clear
Prevent children and pets from entering debris or work areas. Do not walk beneath a hanging branch or damaged roof section to get a closer photograph.
Step 2: Record what you can observe
Photograph the property context
Take wide views showing the affected part of the home and surrounding conditions. Add closer images only where safe. Keep the original files and note the date, approximate time, and what you noticed.
Record indoor symptoms
Write down new stains, dripping, or other visible changes. Note the room and whether the symptom is active. Do not enter an unsafe attic or stand beneath a compromised ceiling.
Step 3: Contact your insurer when a claim may be involved
Ask how to report the loss, what documentation is needed, and what steps are appropriate to prevent further damage. Keep a record of conversations and the names of the people you speak with.
Michigan DIFS recommends staying in contact with the insurer about information needed for a claim. Ask your insurer what records and temporary-protection documentation it requires, and have a professional handle work that cannot be performed safely. Michigan DIFS: tornado and severe-storm claims
Step 4: Arrange a professional roof assessment
Request a report that distinguishes observations from assumptions. Ask which roof areas were examined, which were inaccessible, and why repair or replacement is recommended.
Ask about immediate protection separately
If there is active water intrusion, describe it when you call. Availability and the appropriate response depend on the situation. Do not assume an online form creates an emergency dispatch or a confirmed appointment.
Step 5: Compare the roofing scope with the claim documents
A contractor proposal describes work. An insurer’s document addresses a claim under policy terms. If the documents differ, ask which areas, materials, or tasks each includes. Do not assume a full replacement will be covered simply because a storm occurred. Michigan DIFS: tornado and severe-storm claims
Step 6: Confirm the work before authorizing it
Review the written scope, price, permit responsibilities, schedule, and warranty terms. Ask how changes will be approved. Keep all documents in the same project folder so later conversations refer to the same information.
Step 7: Close out with records you can keep
After the agreed work, retain the invoice, product information, photos, and applicable warranties. If anything remains unresolved, document the concern and the planned follow-up.
Apex offers free roof inspections and photo reports for Kalamazoo and Portage homeowners. Request an assessment, share the storm concerns when we contact you, and decide on the work after reviewing the evidence.