{"id":246,"date":"2025-09-16T06:49:31","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T10:49:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/templates.breakmade.com\/goodroof\/?p=246"},"modified":"2025-09-16T06:49:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T10:49:32","slug":"storm-damage-heres-what-to-do-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/templates.breakmade.com\/goodroof\/2025\/09\/16\/storm-damage-heres-what-to-do-first\/","title":{"rendered":"Storm Damage? Here&#8217;s What to Do First"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Storms can hit hard and unexpectedly, leaving behind damage that may affect your roof, windows, siding, or even the structure of your home. Knowing what to do right after a storm can help you stay safe, prevent further damage, and start the repair process quickly. Here\u2019s a step-by-step guide on what to do first if your home has been damaged by a storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Ensure Safety First<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check yourself and your family for any injuries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stay away from downed power lines or exposed wires<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid stepping on sharp debris or walking under damaged structures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If your home is severely damaged, evacuate and seek shelter<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Safety is always the number one priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Inspect Your Home Carefully<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do a visual check around your property<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Look for missing shingles, broken gutters, or fallen tree limbs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check windows, doors, and siding for cracks or breaks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If safe, inspect the attic for signs of leaks or water damage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t climb onto the roof \u2014 leave that to professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Document the Damage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Take clear photos and videos of all visible damage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Include close-ups and wide shots of the affected areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make a list of damaged items and parts of the home<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This documentation is important for filing an insurance claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. Prevent Further Damage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If there are broken windows or roof leaks, use tarps or boards to cover them<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Move furniture and valuables away from wet areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remove standing water if possible to avoid mold<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Quick action can limit the overall damage to your property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. Contact Your Insurance Company<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Call your homeowner\u2019s insurance provider as soon as possible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Share all photos, videos, and notes you\u2019ve collected<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask about your coverage, claim process, and next steps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The faster you report, the sooner the claim can be processed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. Call a Roofing or Restoration Professional<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Contact a licensed contractor to assess and repair the damage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make sure they are experienced with storm restoration work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid storm chasers or unlicensed workers offering quick fixes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Always check reviews and verify credentials before hiring anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. Save All Receipts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep receipts for any emergency repairs or temporary fixes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These may be reimbursed by your insurance company<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Also track any lodging or food expenses if you\u2019re forced to leave your home<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Good record-keeping helps during the claims process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>8. Be Patient but Alert<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Insurance claims and repairs may take time, especially after major storms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stay in touch with your insurance adjuster and contractor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watch for signs of mold or structural issues in the days that follow<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Storms can hit hard and unexpectedly, leaving behind damage that may affect your roof, windows, siding, or even the structure of your home. Knowing what to do right after a storm can help you stay safe, prevent further damage, and start the repair process quickly. Here\u2019s a step-by-step guide on what to do first if [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":160,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_breakdance_hide_in_design_set":false,"_breakdance_tags":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-roof-installment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/templates.breakmade.com\/goodroof\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/templates.breakmade.com\/goodroof\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/templates.breakmade.com\/goodroof\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/templates.breakmade.com\/goodroof\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/templates.breakmade.com\/goodroof\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=246"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/templates.breakmade.com\/goodroof\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":247,"href":"https:\/\/templates.breakmade.com\/goodroof\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246\/revisions\/247"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/templates.breakmade.com\/goodroof\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/templates.breakmade.com\/goodroof\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/templates.breakmade.com\/goodroof\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/templates.breakmade.com\/goodroof\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}