Storm Damage Homeowner Action Plan for the DMV
From nor'easters to summer derechos, DMV storms hit hard. Here is exactly what to do after the wind stops.
The DMV sees the full menu of storm damage: nor'easter wind, summer derechos, remnants of Atlantic hurricanes, ice loading, and hail. The steps below apply regardless of storm type. Do them in order.
Safety sweep before anything else
Check for downed power lines around the property. Assume every wire on the ground is energized. Stay at least 35 feet away and call the utility.
Do not walk under partially attached tree limbs or leaning trees. Do not climb onto a damaged roof — wait for a professional.
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Call NowExterior damage inventory
Walk the property from ground level with a camera. Photograph the roof from every angle possible, siding, gutters, fascia, windows, doors, HVAC condensers, fences, sheds, decks, and vehicles. Wide shots for context, close-ups for detail.
Check for hidden hits: gutters full of shingle granules (hail), dented soft metals (hail), lifted shingle edges (wind), and displaced ridge caps (wind).
Interior inspection
Check every ceiling, especially rooms directly below the roof. Look for stains, sagging, and drips. Check window frames for water intrusion. Attic inspection with a flashlight often reveals daylight through storm-lifted shingles or nail-pop punctures.
Emergency tarping and board-up
Any hole in the envelope must be tarped or boarded before the next weather system arrives. Failure to do so allows secondary damage that most policies will not pay for. Emergency Construction Service tarps and boards across the DMV 24/7 — 202-288-8832.
Insurance claim: what to say and when
Call your carrier the same day. Report the storm type, date, time, and observed damage. Do not sign any assignment of benefits or contingency contract with a roofer who shows up unsolicited — high-pressure post-storm door-knockers are a documented industry problem.
Get an independent restoration company to document damage before the adjuster arrives. A homeowner-side damage report reduces disputes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I let a storm chaser roofer tarp my roof?
Only if they are a licensed contractor in your state, are willing to invoice against your claim without an assignment of benefits, and provide proof of insurance. If in doubt, call your own restoration company.
How long do I have to file a storm claim?
Most homeowners policies require prompt notice — usually within days to a few weeks. Do not wait; file as soon as you have documentation.
Is hail damage always visible from the ground?
No. Hail bruising on asphalt shingles is often only visible on the roof. A professional roof inspection is the only reliable way to assess.
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Call Emergency Construction Service for 24/7 emergency response across DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia.