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What to do if…
you find storm damage to your roof or windows that could worsen

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy USA guide

Short answer

Get everyone away from glass, sagging ceilings, electrical hazards, gas smells, and downed lines. Then use only low-risk temporary covering from the ground or inside, document the damage, and contact the insurer or landlord as soon as you safely can.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t climb onto the roof in bad weather, at night, in high wind, or without proper training and equipment.
  • Don’t touch downed power lines or anything touching them.
  • Don’t use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other fuel-burning device inside the home, garage, carport, or near doors, windows, or vents; keep generators outdoors at least 20 feet from doors, windows, and vents.
  • Don’t use candles while checking storm damage.
  • Don’t run fans, tools, or extension cords into a wet damaged area if you suspect electrical damage or smell gas.
  • Don’t climb, rush, or work in unsafe conditions just to cover the damage.

What to do now

  1. Move people and pets away from the damaged area.
    Keep everyone out of rooms with broken glass, exposed nails, water near outlets or lights, ceiling sagging, ceiling bulging, or active dripping through light fixtures.

  2. Check for hazards before touching anything.
    If you see a downed power line, stay far back and call 911 or the utility. If you smell gas, hear hissing, or suspect a leak, leave the building and call 911 or the gas utility from outside; do not use flames or switch lights on or off.

  3. Reduce water and wind coming in without climbing.
    For a damaged window, stay back from glass, wear shoes and gloves if you must handle anything, and cover the opening from inside with plywood, heavy plastic, or taped sheeting if you can do it safely. For a roof leak, put buckets or towels under drips, move items out of the wet area, and stay out from under sagging or bulging ceilings.

  4. Call for emergency repair help if the opening is large or the roof is unsafe.
    Ask for temporary board-up, roof tarp, or leak-control service. Use a licensed and insured contractor where your state or local area requires it, and avoid signing a full permanent repair contract while you are still trying to stabilize the damage.

  5. Take photos and video before and after temporary covering.
    Capture wide shots, close-ups, the room location, the outside if safe from the ground, and any interior water damage. Keep damaged items if they are safe to keep until the insurer or landlord tells you what to do.

  6. Start the right notification route.
    If you own the home, contact your homeowners insurance company or agent and ask what they want next. If you rent, notify the landlord or property manager with photos and contact your renters insurance if your belongings are damaged.

  7. Keep receipts and a simple timeline.
    Save receipts for plywood, plastic sheeting, tarps, fasteners, buckets, towels, emergency labour, and drying equipment. Write down the date and time you found the damage, what you covered, who you called, and what they told you.

  8. Check official temporary-roof help only if this is a declared disaster.
    Operation Blue Roof may be available in some disaster areas after FEMA assigns the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to that mission. It is not active for every storm, so check whether it applies to your disaster and location.

What can wait

You do not need to choose permanent materials, settle who pays, compare every contractor, or decide whether to replace the whole roof right now. The first job is to keep people away from hazards, limit more water and wind intrusion, document what happened, and make the first notification.

Important reassurance

Finding storm damage before another storm can feel urgent, but you do not have to solve the whole repair today. Safe temporary covering, clear photos, receipts, and the right calls are enough for the first pause.

Scope note

These are first steps only. Permanent repairs, structural concerns, electrical work, drying and mold decisions, insurance disputes, and landlord issues may need qualified contractors, utilities, insurers, local officials, or other specialist help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, insurance, financial, construction, medical, therapeutic, or other professional advice. If you are unsure whether the building, wiring, gas service, roof, or damaged area is safe, treat it as unsafe and use emergency services, utility providers, or qualified professionals.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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