💧 Water & Weather
What to Check After a Storm Passes
Storm damage is easiest to claim for and cheapest to fix when you find it early. Use this walk-round once it is safe.
Marcus Ibe · Oct 4, 2026 · 5 min read · 4 steps
After a storm, the obvious damage — a fallen fence, a branch on the lawn — gets noticed immediately. The quieter damage, such as a lifted ridge tile or a cracked flashing, often does not show until water gets in weeks later.
A methodical check the day after can save a much larger repair.
Safety first
- Stay away from fallen power lines and report them to the utility
- Do not go into flooded rooms where water may be in contact with electrics
- If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas emergency number
- Stay off the roof — use binoculars from the ground
Outside the house
Walk all the way round and look up as well as down.
- Missing, cracked, or slipped roof tiles and shingles
- Damaged flashing around chimneys and roof windows
- Gutters pulled loose or blocked with debris
- Cracked windows or damaged frames
- Trees leaning more than before, or with split limbs over the house
Inside the house
Check ceilings for new stains, especially upstairs and under roof valleys. Go into the loft with a torch and look at the underside of the roof for daylight or damp patches. In the basement, check for new water around walls and the floor.
Document everything
Photograph and video damage before you tidy up, with date stamps if possible. Keep receipts for emergency repairs such as tarpaulins or boarding up a window — most policies expect you to prevent further damage and will reimburse reasonable costs. Contact your insurer early; there is often a time limit for reporting.
This is general home-maintenance information, not professional advice. Building codes, permits, and safe practices vary by location — consult a licensed contractor, electrician, or plumber for work beyond your experience.