The first thing to do after a hailstorm hits your roof is wait until the storm has fully passed and check for immediate hazards like downed power lines before you go outside at all. Once it’s safe, the next steps follow a specific order. Check the property from the ground first, then look inside for signs of water intrusion. Document everything with photos before you contact your insurer, and none of this requires anyone getting on the roof itself.
We get calls within hours of almost every significant hailstorm in this region, and the homeowners who come out ahead are almost always the ones who followed some version of this order rather than jumping straight to “should I call my insurance company” or “should I climb up and look.”
Step One: Confirm It’s Actually Safe to Go Outside
Wait until the storm has completely passed before stepping outside, and take a moment to look for hazards before walking the property. Fallen power lines and downed trees are common after severe weather, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency specifically advises watching for both once a storm clears. If you see a downed line anywhere near your property, stay well away from it and report it rather than approaching to get a closer look.
This step feels obvious until you’re standing in your yard right after a storm, adrenaline still up, wanting to assess the damage immediately. Give it a minute. The roof isn’t going anywhere in the next ten minutes, and a downed line is genuinely dangerous.
Step Two: Stay Off the Roof
Do not climb onto the roof to inspect it yourself, even if it looks accessible from a ladder. A roof surface after a hailstorm can be wet, and hail impact itself can weaken spots that aren’t visible from a quick look, both of which make it easy to slip or step through a section that’s already compromised. Every genuine piece of assessment you need right now can be done from the ground.
Step Three: Walk the Exterior From the Ground
Once you’ve confirmed it’s safe, walk the perimeter of your property and look at everything you can see without climbing anything. Check gutters and downspouts for granules or dents. Look at window screens and AC unit fins for dings too, and note any visible damage to siding or other outdoor fixtures. These lower, easier-to-see areas often tell you more than trying to squint at the roofline from below.
If you want a fuller picture of what actual roof damage looks like once you’re checking closer or once a professional gets up there, we walked through that in detail in our post on signs of hail damage.
Step Four: Check Inside for Water Intrusion
Head to your attic if you have access, and look at ceilings throughout the house, particularly on the top floor. Water stains or a musty smell are both signs that the roof has already been compromised enough to let water in, even if you can’t see the damage from outside yet. Visible light coming through where it shouldn’t is an even clearer sign.
If you find an active leak, place a bucket underneath it and move anything valuable out of the way. This is also the point where temporary emergency tarping becomes worth arranging, rather than waiting for a full inspection first.
Step Five: Document Everything, Right Away
Photograph and video everything you found in steps three and four, and do it as soon as possible rather than waiting until the next day. Most phones timestamp photos automatically, and that timestamp becomes part of your documentation later. Get wide shots of the whole property first. Then get closer shots of anything specific you noticed, along with any interior water damage.
This documentation matters more than people expect. It’s the foundation of everything that comes next, whether that’s a contractor’s inspection or an insurance claim, and it’s far easier to gather thoroughly right after the storm than to reconstruct later.
Step Six: Know What Your Policy Actually Covers
Before you call your insurer, it helps to know whether your policy pays actual cash value or replacement cost value, since that affects what kind of settlement to expect and how the payout process works. If you’re not sure which one applies to your policy, this is worth a quick check before that call rather than during it.
Step Seven: Contact Your Insurer and Schedule a Professional Inspection
Once you’ve documented the damage, contact your insurance company to start the process, and separately schedule a professional roof inspection. A contractor’s inspection report gives you a second, documented assessment that strengthens whatever your insurer’s adjuster finds, and getting that scheduled early means it’s ready by the time the claims process moves forward.
The First 24 Hours at a Glance
| Timeframe | Action |
|---|---|
| Before going outside | Confirm the storm has passed and check for downed lines or debris hazards |
| First walk-through | Inspect the exterior from the ground only, no climbing |
| Same day | Check the attic and ceilings for water intrusion |
| Same day, as soon as possible | Photograph and video all visible damage with timestamps |
| Within a day or two | Review your policy’s coverage type and contact your insurer |
| Within a few days | Schedule a professional roof inspection |
Timing matters throughout this list, but especially the documentation step. The sooner it happens, the more clearly it ties to this specific storm rather than raising questions later.
What Not to Do in the First 24 Hours
A few common mistakes show up again and again after a hailstorm. Climbing onto the roof yourself is the most common, and the most avoidable. Waiting several days to document damage is another, since photos taken well after the storm are weaker evidence than ones taken immediately. And agreeing to sign anything with a contractor who shows up unannounced at your door is a mistake that’s easy to make while you’re stressed and just want the situation handled.
None of these mistakes are about being careless. They’re about moving fast under pressure, which is exactly when a clear, ordered checklist matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to inspect my roof myself right after a storm?
No. Stay on the ground and let a professional handle the actual roof inspection. Wet, potentially weakened surfaces make climbing up right after a storm genuinely risky.
How soon should I take photos of the damage?
As soon as it’s safe to go outside, ideally the same day. Timestamped photos taken close to the storm date are stronger documentation than photos taken later.
What should I check inside my house after a hailstorm?
Look at your attic if accessible, and check ceilings throughout the home, especially on the top floor. Water stains and musty odors are the two clearest signs of a problem.
Do I need to call my insurance company immediately?
Not immediately, but soon. Document the damage first, then contact your insurer once you have photos and a general sense of what happened.
What if I find an active leak?
Place a bucket underneath it and move valuables out of the way. Treat this as a priority for arranging temporary emergency tarping rather than waiting for a full inspection.
Should I get a roofing quote before or after filing an insurance claim?
A professional inspection can happen alongside filing your claim. Having an independent inspection report strengthens your documentation regardless of the order.
What if I don’t see any obvious damage from the ground?
Hail damage is often invisible from ground level even when it’s real. If your area took a significant hit, it’s still worth having a professional inspection rather than assuming everything is fine.
Can I make temporary repairs myself?
Minor, safe steps like placing a bucket under a leak are fine. Anything involving the roof itself, including any temporary patching, is best left to a professional given the safety risk.
How long do I have to file a claim after a hailstorm?
This varies by policy, so check your specific coverage or ask your agent. Filing sooner rather than later generally strengthens your position regardless of the exact deadline.
What’s the most common mistake homeowners make right after a hailstorm?
Climbing onto the roof themselves to check for damage. It’s genuinely dangerous, and everything you actually need to assess in the first 24 hours can be done from the ground.
Your First 24 Hours After a Hailstorm
What to do immediately after a hailstorm hits your roof comes down to a clear order. Confirm it’s safe and stay off the roof first. Check the property from the ground and inside for water, then document everything right away before bringing in your insurer and a professional.
If a recent storm hit your roof and you want a professional inspection to go alongside your documentation, contact us and we’ll walk the property with you.