Storm Recovery Guide: What to Do After Storm Damage Hits

The storm has finally moved on, leaving a roof that drips, gutters twisted like tin ribbon, and that uneasy silence that follows a Front Range hail cell. You step outside, unsure whether the creaking tree by the driveway or the scattered shingles at your feet deserves attention first. That moment— when adrenaline fades and questions rush in— is exactly when the wrong move can turn a fixable mess into a financial headache or a safety emergency.

This guide hands you a clear, boots-on-the-ground action plan. You’ll learn how to keep your family out of harm’s way, capture iron-clad evidence for insurance, patch critical openings before the next raincloud, and partner with reputable restoration pros who speak the same language as adjusters. From the first flashlight sweep of your attic to long-term upgrades that shrug off Colorado hail, every step is laid out in plain English so you can move from chaos to confidence without wasting a minute.

Step 1: Put Safety Above All Else

Knowing what to do after storm damage starts with staying alive. Before you snap a photo, hit pause—the fastest way to derail recovery is an injury from hazards that didn’t leave with the clouds.

Wait for the Official All-Clear and Scan Your Surroundings

Keep everyone indoors until the NOAA Weather Radio or local alert says storms are over. Outside, treat every downed wire as live, avoid puddles that can hide sharp debris, and keep kids far from cracked trees or leaning utility poles.

Check the Home’s Structural Stability Before Entering

Circle the exterior first. If walls bulge, ceilings sag, or you smell gas, stop and call 911. Open and close a few doors—sticking frames can signal foundation shift. Any doubt about integrity means waiting for fire-rescue to give the green light.

Shut Off Utilities if You Suspect Damage

Flip the main breaker with dry hands and rubber-soled shoes, turn the gas valve perpendicular to the pipe, and close the water main. Leave immediately if you hear hissing, see sparks, or notice a sulfur smell.

Step 2: Perform a Thorough Damage Assessment and Documentation

Once everyone is safe, the next order of business is evidence—because your insurer will pay for what you can prove, not what you remember. A systematic walk-through keeps small issues from slipping through the cracks and gives you a timestamped storyline of exactly what to do after storm damage hits your property.

Exterior Inspection Checklist

Before heading inside, do a slow lap around the house and outbuildings. Take notes as you go.

• Roof: missing shingles, lifted flashing, hail dents, piles of granules in gutters


• Siding: cracks, punctures, paint chips exposing bare substrate


• Windows & Doors: shattered panes, broken seals, warped frames


• Gutters & Downspouts: detached sections, crushed elbows, improper slope


• Yard & Structures: fallen fence panels, damaged sheds, dented vehicles, uprooted trees pressing on lines

Interior Inspection Checklist

After confirming it’s structurally safe to enter, move from top to bottom.

• Attic: wet insulation, daylight through decking, damaged rafters


• Ceilings & Walls: new water stains, bubbling paint, stair-step drywall cracks


• Living Areas: soaked carpets, ruined electronics, warped flooring


• Basement/Crawlspace: standing water, sump pump failure, musty or moldy odors

Best Practices for Photos and Video Evidence

1. Set your phone to display the date and time.


2. Capture each item three ways: wide shot, close-up, and a scale reference with a ruler or tape.


3. Narrate short videos—“north slope roof, two tabs missing”—so nothing gets misfiled.


4. Back up files to cloud storage immediately and email a copy to yourself.


5. Keep a simple spreadsheet matching image names to repair estimates; adjusters love organized claims.

The result: a rock-solid dossier that speeds approvals and maximizes your payout.

Step 3: Stop Further Damage with Temporary Measures

Now that the camera roll is full, it’s time to keep the situation from snowballing. Most homeowners policies include a “duty to protect” clause—meaning the insurer can reduce or deny payment for losses that happen after the storm if you didn’t act. Think of this step as putting the brakes on a bad day, buying you time for permanent repairs while showing your carrier that you know what to do after storm damage strikes.

Safely Tarp or Board Up Openings

• Gear up: work gloves, 6-mil plastic tarp, 2 × 4s, roofing nails, hammer, duct tape.


• Ladder safety: place on level ground, maintain three points of contact, never climb in high winds or on slick shingles.


• Roof holes: stretch tarp over ridge if possible, wrap edges around a 2 × 4, nail the board—not the tarp—into decking to avoid tears.


• Broken windows/doors: cut plywood to fit, screw into framing studs, and seal edges with exterior tape to block rain and opportunistic critters.

Handle Water Intrusion and Start Dry-Out

Grab the shop-vac and pull standing water before it seeps under baseboards. Elevate furniture on blocks, peel up soaked rugs, and crank box fans plus a dehumidifier. Mold spores can colonize in as little as 24 hours, so the faster you dry, the smaller the remediation bill.

Track All Emergency Repair Expenses

Snap photos of every receipt—tarps, plywood, even generator fuel—and store them in the same cloud folder as your damage images. Keep a quick log (date, action, cost). Those pennies add up, and your adjuster needs proof to reimburse every cent.

Step 4: Notify Your Insurance Provider and File the Claim

With temporary repairs in place, it’s time to turn documentation into dollars. Most homeowners policies cover wind, hail, and wind-driven rain, but coverage amounts and deductibles vary. Calling promptly not only satisfies policy language—many carriers require notice “as soon as practicable”—it also starts the clock on the adjuster’s visit and any additional living expense (ALE) benefits you might need.

Gather Policy Information and Prepare a Damage Summary

Have these items at your fingertips before you dial:

• Policy number and agent contact info


• Deductible amount for wind/hail versus other perils


• Coverage limits for dwelling, other structures, and personal property


• Your organized photo/video folders and inspection notes

Email the carrier a brief summary (“north elevation siding cracked; roof missing 12 shingles”) and attach a few representative images. Clear, concise data speeds claim setup and reduces back-and-forth.

Schedule the Adjuster Visit: What to Expect

Most insurers dispatch an adjuster within 24–72 hours. Plan to walk the property together, tablet or printed checklist in hand. Point out hidden trouble spots—attic leaks, crawlspace water lines—before they leave. Keep all damaged materials (shingles, siding, carpet) on site until photographed; tossing them early can shrink your payout.

Common Claim Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Don’t sign an “Assignment of Benefits” unless you fully understand it; you can lose control of the claim.


• If the first offer ignores code-required upgrades (ice-and-water shield, drip edge), request a written rationale and negotiate.


• Keep every conversation in writing—email using your claim number in the subject line for easy tracking.
  
  By staying organized and assertive, you’ll avoid delays and secure the funds needed for a complete, code-compliant restoration.

Step 5: Select Reputable Storm Restoration Professionals

Paperwork in hand, the next make-or-break decision is who actually swings the hammer. Colorado’s big-sky storms draw a caravan of out-of-state crews—some excellent, many gone before the dust settles. Picking the right partner determines whether your claim dollars turn into durable repairs or future headaches.

Vetting Local, Licensed, and Insured Contractors

• Confirm an active Colorado contractor license and verify it on the state database.


• Request proof of general liability and workers’ comp; call the carrier to ensure the policy is current.


• Insist on a written scope of work, start/finish dates, and itemized pricing—no vague “roof, labor, materials” lines.


• Check a physical business address, local phone number, and ratings with the Better Business Bureau.

Why Specialized Storm-Damage Expertise Saves Money

Pros who tackle hail and wind daily know uplift testing, impact-resistant shingle codes, and the Xactimate line items adjusters use. Their detailed supplements often uncover missed damage, stretching claim funds to cover ventilation upgrades, ice-and-water shield, and code-mandated drip edge—value a general roofer may overlook.

Spotting and Avoiding Post-Storm Scams

Watch for high-pressure door-knockers demanding large cash deposits, unmarked vans with out-of-state plates, or contracts that assign your entire claim (“AOB”) to the contractor. Cross-reference FEMA’s fraud checklist, get at least two bids, and trust your gut—a reputable local firm will welcome scrutiny, not dodge it.

Step 6: Manage the Repair and Reconstruction Phase

With your contractor chosen, the real work begins. Knowing what to do after storm damage during reconstruction means staying organized so budget creep, delays, and code violations don’t sneak in. You don’t have to babysit every nail, but you do need a system for tracking promises versus progress.

Compare Estimates and Sign a Detailed Contract

This is where surprises hide. Line-item quotes let you match shingle brand, underlayment, and permit fees apples to apples. Demand a contract spelling out start date, milestone payments, change-order rules, and daily cleanup.

Oversee Work Progress Without Hovering

Agree on communication upfront—perhaps a nightly text with photos and a weekly site walk-through. Keep a binder or cloud folder for inspection tags, delivery tickets, and invoices. Quiet documentation motivates crews more than hovering on the ladder.

Final Walk-Through and Paperwork

Before the last check leaves your hand, create a punch list: nail pops, paint drips, loose trim. Verify city inspection stickers, collect warranties, and obtain lien releases from all subs. Store copies with your claim file.

Step 7: Strengthen Your Home for the Next Storm

Knowing what to do after storm damage is only half the battle—hardening your house before the next cell rolls off the Rockies is how you break the repair-claim cycle. A few strategic upgrades can lower premiums, boost resale value, and buy priceless peace of mind.

Upgrade to Impact-Resistant Materials

• Class 4 asphalt shingles tested for 2" hail impacts


• Fiber-cement or engineered wood siding that shrugs off wind-borne debris


• Tempered or laminated “hurricane” glass windows with reinforced frames

Ask your insurer about discounts (often 5 – 15 %) for UL-rated roofing and fortified openings; send them the contractor’s completion certificate as proof.

Improve Drainage and Exterior Defenses

• Install seamless gutters with leaf guards and kick-out flashing


• Extend downspouts ≥ 6 ft from the foundation and regrade soil away at a 5% slope


• Add gravel swales or French drains to redirect roof runoff


• Trim overhanging limbs twice a year to reduce impact risk

Build a Preventive Maintenance and Emergency Plan

Create a biannual checklist: roof, gutters, caulking, attic ventilation, tree health. Stock an emergency kit with flashlights, NOAA radio, first-aid, tarps, and spare batteries. Save digital copies of policies, contractor contacts, and utility shut-off maps in cloud storage so they’re one tap away when the weather turns ugly.

Moving Forward Safely

Storm recovery isn’t a sprint—yet the first choices you make set the pace for everything that follows. Start with safety, gather airtight documentation, halt new damage, and file an organized claim before hiring pros you trust. Once repairs are complete, level-up your defenses so the next hail core or microburst is a non-event.

If you’re a Northern Colorado or Denver-area homeowner still wondering exactly what to do after storm damage, help is one phone call away. The veteran crew at Semper Fi Restoration offers free post-storm roof assessments, photo reports for insurance, and straight-shooting advice—no pressure, just neighbors looking out for neighbors. Reach out, breathe easier, and get back to enjoying the Colorado sky.