Storm Damage Checklist: What to Inspect After Tornado, Wind, Hail, Lightning, or Flood

The storm has passed. The sky is clearing. Now comes the critical question: how bad is it?

Whether you are dealing with a hailstorm, straight-line winds, a tornado, a lightning strike, or flooding, the inspection process follows the same framework. Safety first, then a systematic walkthrough of your property — exterior to interior — looking for the specific types of damage each storm produces.

Use this checklist after every significant weather event. Catching damage early gives you the strongest insurance claim and prevents small problems from turning into expensive failures.

Safety First: Before You Inspect Anything

Before you walk outside or start poking around your property, address immediate safety concerns.

Call 911 If:

You smell natural gas or propane — leave the property immediately and call from a safe distance
Power lines are down on or near your property — stay at least 35 feet away from any downed line
The structure appears to be leaning, sagging, or partially collapsed
Someone is injured or trapped
There is an active fire or smoke

Proceed with Caution If:

Power is out — use flashlights, not candles
There is standing water — do not walk through it if there is any chance of contact with electrical wiring
Trees are leaning against the structure — they may shift or fall further
The roof has visible holes — the structure beneath may be weakened

Check Utilities

Gas: If you smell gas, leave and call your gas company.
Electricity: If you see sparking, smell burning, or your breaker panel is wet, do not touch it. Call an electrician.
Water: If pipes are broken, shut off the main water valve.

Once you have confirmed it is safe to proceed, start your inspection.

Exterior Inspection Checklist

Work your way around the entire property. Take photos and video of everything — even areas that look undamaged. Having a record of the "before" condition of undamaged areas supports your claim for the areas that are damaged.

Roof

[ ] Missing, cracked, or curling shingles
[ ] Shingle granules in gutters or on the ground (looks like coarse sand)
[ ] Dents or dings in metal components (vents, flashing, ridge caps)
[ ] Lifted or separated flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vents
[ ] Visible holes or punctures
[ ] Sagging areas (may indicate structural damage to decking)
[ ] Debris on the roof surface (branches, other objects)

Do not climb onto the roof yourself. Use binoculars from the ground, or photograph from a second-story window. If you suspect roof damage, have a licensed roofing contractor perform a professional inspection.

Gutters and Downspouts

[ ] Dents in metal gutters (hail indicator)
[ ] Gutters pulled away from the fascia
[ ] Downspouts detached or crushed
[ ] Excessive granule deposits in gutters
[ ] Gutter overflow marks on siding below

Siding and Exterior Walls

[ ] Cracks or holes in vinyl, wood, or fiber cement siding
[ ] Dents in aluminum siding
[ ] Paint chipping or peeling from impact
[ ] Water stains below window frames
[ ] Bowed or bulging areas

Windows and Doors

[ ] Cracked or broken glass
[ ] Damaged frames, sills, or trim
[ ] Broken seals (fogging between panes)
[ ] Doors that no longer open or close properly (possible foundation shift)

Foundation

[ ] New cracks in the foundation wall
[ ] Water pooling against the foundation
[ ] Erosion around the foundation perimeter
[ ] Basement water intrusion

Fencing, Decks, and Outbuildings

[ ] Fence panels knocked down or leaning
[ ] Deck boards lifted or railings damaged
[ ] Shed or garage roof damage
[ ] Carport or pergola damage

Trees and Landscaping

[ ] Fallen trees or large branches
[ ] Trees leaning against structures
[ ] Hanging branches that could fall (widow-makers)
[ ] Root upheaval near the foundation

HVAC and Outdoor Equipment

[ ] Dents or damage to the air conditioning condenser unit
[ ] Outdoor electrical panel damage
[ ] Satellite dishes, antennas, or solar panels damaged or displaced

Interior Inspection Checklist

Water intrusion is the primary concern inside the home after a storm. Even if the exterior looks intact, moisture can find its way in through compromised seals, flashing, or micro-cracks.

Ceilings

[ ] Water stains (brown or yellowish rings)
[ ] Bubbling or peeling paint
[ ] Sagging or bulging drywall
[ ] Active dripping

Walls

[ ] Water stains or streaks
[ ] Dampness around windows
[ ] Cracks — especially new cracks that were not there before the storm
[ ] Wallpaper separating from the wall

Attic

[ ] Daylight visible through the roof deck
[ ] Wet insulation
[ ] Water stains on rafters or decking
[ ] Mold or mildew smell

Floors

[ ] Warped or buckled hardwood
[ ] Wet carpet or padding
[ ] Water pooling in the basement or crawl space

Electrical

[ ] Outlets or switches that are not working
[ ] Flickering lights
[ ] Burning smell from any electrical point
[ ] Breakers that keep tripping

If you notice electrical issues, do not investigate further yourself. Call a licensed electrician.

Plumbing

[ ] Reduced water pressure
[ ] Discolored water
[ ] Visible pipe damage
[ ] Unexplained wet areas

Identifying Damage by Storm Type

Different storms leave different signatures. Knowing what to look for helps you communicate clearly with your contractor and your insurance adjuster.

Hail Damage

Hail is the most common — and most commonly missed — storm damage type for roofing.

What to look for:

Shingle damage: Round dimples or bruises in asphalt shingles where granules have been knocked loose. Press on the dimple — if it feels soft like a bruised apple, the shingle mat is compromised.
Metal surfaces: Dents in gutters, downspouts, flashing, vents, and AC units. Hail dents on metal are your best ground-level indicator of a damaging hail event.
Siding: Circular impact marks or cracks, especially in vinyl siding. Check the side of the house that faced the storm.
Skylights and windows: Cracked or starred glass.
Soft metals on the roof: Pipe boots, plumbing vents, and turbine vents show hail damage clearly.

Hail damage can be subtle. A roof can look fine from the ground but have hundreds of impact points that compromise its lifespan. Professional inspection is strongly recommended after any hailstorm producing stones one inch or larger.

Wind Damage

Missing shingles: Wind peels shingles starting at edges and ridges, where lift force is greatest.
Lifted edges: Shingle tabs that are raised but not yet torn off.
Creased shingles: Shingles that have been folded back and laid flat again — they are damaged even if they look normal.
Debris impact: Branches and objects thrown by the wind that punctured or dented the roof, siding, or windows.
Ridge cap damage: The cap shingles along the roof peak are the most wind-vulnerable component.

Tornado Damage

Tornadoes produce a combination of extreme wind and flying debris. Look for:

Structural damage: Walls leaning, roof partially or fully removed, foundation shift
Debris impact: Objects embedded in siding, walls, or the roof
Debris field: Your belongings or building materials scattered across the property and beyond
Twisted or snapped trees
Vehicle damage

If a tornado has struck your property directly, professional structural assessment is mandatory before re-entering the building.

Lightning Damage

Lightning strikes on homes are less visible than you might expect. The damage is often hidden.

Electrical system: Fried outlets, damaged breaker panel, blown appliances, and HVAC control board failure. Lightning damage to electronics may not be visible — things simply stop working.
Fire: Lightning can ignite attic insulation, wood framing, or roof materials. Check the attic for scorch marks or smoldering.
Tree strikes: A lightning-struck tree near the house may drop limbs or fall.
Roof puncture: In rare cases, lightning can blow a hole in the roof or crack shingles.
Plumbing: Lightning traveling through ground can damage plumbing and water heater elements.

If lightning struck your home, have an electrician inspect the entire electrical system even if everything appears to be working. Hidden damage can cause fires days or weeks later.

Flood Damage

Flood damage is distinct from storm water damage. Important distinction: standard homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage. You need a separate flood policy through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer.

What to look for:

Water lines: Visible marks on walls, furniture, and appliances showing how high the water reached.
Contamination: Floodwater is almost always contaminated with sewage, chemicals, or debris. Anything porous that contacted floodwater (carpet, drywall, insulation, upholstered furniture) is typically not salvageable.
Structural saturation: Drywall, wood framing, and flooring that absorbed water.
Appliance damage: Any appliance submerged in floodwater is likely destroyed — even if it appears to dry out and work.
Foundation undermining: Water can erode soil beneath and around the foundation.

The Mold Clock

This is critical: mold begins to grow within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure in warm, humid conditions. If your home has sustained water intrusion of any kind — roof leak, broken window, flood, or burst pipe — the clock is ticking.

Within 24 hours: Begin drying. Open windows (if weather allows), run fans, deploy dehumidifiers, extract standing water.
Within 48 hours: Mold spores begin colonizing wet surfaces. Professional remediation becomes increasingly necessary.
After 72 hours: Mold growth is established and spreading. Drywall, insulation, and other porous materials likely need to be removed and replaced.

If you have water damage that cannot be dried within 24 hours, call a restoration and water damage service immediately. Waiting costs more in the long run.

When to Call 911 vs. When to Call Insurance

Situation	Who to Call
Gas leak or gas smell	911 + gas company immediately
Downed power lines	911
Structural collapse or instability	911
Active fire or smoke	911
Injury or someone trapped	911
Roof damage, no immediate danger	Insurance company, then contractor
Water intrusion, no electrical hazard	Insurance company, then restoration service
Broken windows, no safety threat	Insurance company, then board up
Hail damage, property stable	Insurance company, then contractor for inspection
Flooding	Insurance (flood policy), then restoration service

After the Inspection: Next Steps

Once you have completed your inspection and documented everything:

File your insurance claim if the damage warrants it. Read our complete guide: When and How to File a Homeowner's Insurance Claim After Storm Damage.
Prepare for the adjuster visit — your documentation is your most powerful tool. See: What to Do Before the Insurance Adjuster Arrives.
Get contractor estimates from licensed, local professionals. See: How to Hire a Contractor After Storm Damage Without Getting Scammed.
Make emergency repairs to prevent further damage — tarp the roof, board windows, extract water. Keep all receipts.
If your claim is denied unfairly, know your options: How to File a Complaint with Your State Department of Insurance.

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Published by SedaliRoofs.com Editorial

This article is for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute insurance, legal, or professional advice. Insurance policies vary significantly — always review your specific policy language and consult with your insurance agent or a licensed public adjuster for guidance on your claim.

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