My Roof Is Damaged After a Windstorm — What Should I Do First?

Windstorm season (roughly November through February) is a real, recurring event in Everett given its direct, unsheltered exposure on Puget Sound. Here’s the right order of steps if it just happened to you.

Step 1: Secure the property, safely

If there’s an active interior leak, contain it from the inside — buckets, moving belongings, a tarp over furniture — without getting on the roof yourself. Wet, windy post-storm conditions on potentially compromised roofing are dangerous, and this is exactly the kind of assessment worth leaving to a professional visit rather than DIY roof access.

Step 2: Photograph before any repair

Once it’s safe, photograph the visible damage from the ground or a ladder at eave height — wide shots for context, close-ups for detail, undamaged areas for contrast. See our full documentation checklist for specifics. Do this before any repair work happens, since repairs can complicate later claims documentation.

Step 3: Note the date and conditions

Record when the storm happened and what you observed — this supports the “sudden event” timeline that matters for an insurance claim, whether or not you end up filing one.

Step 4: Get a professional assessment

Call for a free storm-damage inspection. We’ll assess the actual extent of damage, provide time-stamped photo documentation, and tell you honestly whether the damage looks storm-related (typically covered) or pre-existing wear (typically not) — see our dedicated comparison guide.

Step 5: Decide on repair timing

If the damage is contained and not actively leaking, a scheduled repair within a few business days is usually fine. If there’s an active leak or missing material leaving the deck exposed, temporary weatherproofing (tarping) buys time until a full repair can happen — we can arrange this safely as part of the assessment visit.

Step 6: File a claim if applicable

Once you have documentation and a professional assessment, you’re in the strongest position to file an insurance claim if the damage qualifies as a covered event. See our insurance coverage guide for what typically is and isn’t covered.

The bottom line

Safety first, documentation before repair, professional assessment before assuming coverage either way. Call for a free storm-damage inspection — we prioritize these calls during active windstorm season.