A severe storm just rolled through your neighborhood. The hail was loud. The wind was strong. Now it's quiet and you're standing in your driveway wondering what to do next.
The decisions you make in the next 24 hours have a significant impact on your insurance claim, your home's protection, and your wallet. Here's exactly what to do — in the right order.
Your 24-Hour Storm Response Timeline
Safety First — Stay Inside
Wait until the storm has fully passed before going outside. Downed power lines, flooding, and debris are serious hazards immediately after a storm. Check local emergency alerts before stepping out.
Do a Safe Ground-Level Inspection
Walk around your property and photograph everything visible — dented gutters, damaged siding, broken windows, fallen branches. Look for granules from roof shingles collecting in gutters and downspouts. Do NOT climb on the roof. Photograph your car if it has hail dents — this documents the storm's severity.
Check the Interior of Your Home
Walk through every room and look at every ceiling. Check your attic with a flashlight if you can access it safely. Look for water stains, wet insulation, or any signs that water has entered. Photograph anything you find.
Call a Licensed Roofing Contractor
Before calling your insurance company, get a professional inspection. This gives you an independent damage assessment and written documentation before the insurance adjuster arrives. At Integrity Pro Roofing we respond to storm damage calls throughout the Chicago suburbs within 24 hours and provide a free detailed written report.
File Your Insurance Claim
Once you have your contractor's report in hand, call your insurance company to file the claim. Having documentation ready when you call puts you in a stronger position from the start. Get your claim number and note the name of your assigned adjuster.
Emergency Tarping — When and How
If your roof has obvious holes, missing sections, or you can see daylight from inside your attic, you need emergency tarping to prevent further water damage before repairs can begin.
Important: Emergency tarping is considered a reasonable protective measure and should be covered under most Illinois homeowner policies as a mitigation expense. Document the damage before tarping and photograph the tarped area. Keep any receipts.
Call your insurance company before hiring anyone for emergency tarping if possible — some carriers have preferred vendors or specific requirements. If you can't reach them immediately and rain is imminent, document first, tarp second, and call as soon as possible.
⚠️ Beware of Storm Chasers: After major storms, out-of-state contractors flood Illinois neighborhoods offering emergency services. Many collect a deposit or have you sign a contract, then deliver poor work or disappear. Only hire Illinois-licensed contractors. Integrity Pro Roofing is based in Villa Park — we live and work here year-round. License #104016966.
What NOT to Do After Storm Damage
- Don't make permanent repairs before the adjuster visits — You may inadvertently destroy evidence the adjuster needs to document your claim. Emergency tarping is fine. Replacing shingles is not.
- Don't throw anything away — Save damaged materials including shingles, gutters, or siding pieces if possible. These can be used to demonstrate the extent of damage.
- Don't sign anything under pressure — Never sign a contract or assignment of benefits under time pressure from a contractor who showed up uninvited. Take 24 hours to verify credentials and check reviews.
- Don't wait to call — Insurance policies have filing deadlines. Rain entering through storm damage causes additional water damage quickly. Act within 24-48 hours.
- Don't let the insurance company inspect without your contractor present — Request that your contractor be present for the adjuster's inspection. This is your right and it makes a significant difference in most claims.
Your Post-Storm Checklist
Complete This After Every Significant Storm
- Photographed exterior damage — gutters, siding, windows, AC unit
- Photographed interior — ceilings, attic, any water intrusion
- Noted the storm date and checked weather records at weather.gov
- Called a licensed contractor for a professional inspection
- Received written damage report from contractor
- Filed insurance claim with claim number obtained
- Scheduled adjuster inspection with contractor present
- Reviewed scope of loss with contractor before accepting
When a major storm hits the Chicago suburbs, our phones are on. Call (866) 226-6997 any time after a storm and we'll get someone to your property within 24 hours for a free emergency inspection. We serve Naperville, Bolingbrook, Joliet, Schaumburg, Aurora, and 85+ more communities.
How to Check if Your Area Was Hit by Hail
Not sure if the storm that passed through your neighborhood was severe enough to cause damage? Here's how to check:
- Go to weather.gov and look up recent severe weather reports for your zip code
- Check the Storm Prediction Center's storm reports at spc.noaa.gov
- Search your zip code on hailhistory.com for historical hail data
- Check your neighborhood Facebook group or Nextdoor — neighbors often post photos immediately after storms
- Look at your car in sunlight at a low angle — even small dents from hail are visible this way
If hail of 1 inch or larger was reported within 5 miles of your home, you almost certainly need a professional roof inspection — even if you can't see obvious damage from the ground.