Storm Damage Roof Repair: What to Do in the First 48 Hours
PNW windstorms tear off shingles and drop branches. Move fast in the first 48 hours to protect your home and your insurance claim.
Hour 0–2: Safety first
Get everyone away from any interior water damage — soaked drywall can drop suddenly. Kill power to affected rooms at the breaker if water is near light fixtures or outlets. Never go up on a wet roof, especially at night.
Hour 2–6: Contain interior water
Buckets under active drips, towels on the floor, move furniture, and if a ceiling is bulging, poke a small hole with a screwdriver to drain it in a controlled way. A collapsed ceiling costs 5x what a controlled drain costs.
Hour 6–24: Document everything
Photos of every angle of the roof from the ground, close-ups of any missing shingles or branches, interior water damage, personal property affected, and the storm itself (news screenshots, weather reports). This is the evidence your insurance adjuster will use.
Save every receipt: tarps, buckets, hotel rooms if you had to evacuate, replacement drywall — all reimbursable under most policies.
Hour 24–48: Call a licensed roofer for emergency tarping
A proper tarp anchors on the ridge, drapes over the damage, and is battened down so wind doesn't lift it. It buys you 30–90 days to schedule a permanent repair. Trinity Roofing runs 24/7 emergency tarp calls across Pierce and South King County.
Check WA L&I to confirm the roofer is licensed and bonded before letting anyone up on your roof. Storm chasers (out-of-state trucks that appear after every big storm) are the #1 source of insurance fraud in Washington.
File the insurance claim the same week
Most policies require you to report damage within a defined window (often 60 days, sometimes 30). Call your carrier, get a claim number, and ask them to send an adjuster. Have your roofer present during the inspection if possible — they'll spot damage the adjuster misses.
Get the estimate from a local licensed roofer
The insurance adjuster's number is a starting point, not a final answer. If your roofer's scope is higher (because they see decking damage or code upgrades the adjuster missed), submit a supplement. Reputable roofers handle this paperwork for you.
Frequently asked
Does homeowners insurance cover storm damage in Washington?
Yes — wind and falling-tree damage are standard covered perils under HO-3 policies. Wear-and-tear and old-age failures are not.
How long does the insurance process take?
From claim filing to check in hand is typically 2–6 weeks. The actual roof repair happens after the check clears.
Should I get multiple estimates?
For insurance work, one thorough estimate from a licensed local roofer is usually enough. What matters is that the scope matches the damage — get a second opinion if the numbers feel off.