What to Do After Storm Damage to Your Roof in Omaha

A storm just rolled through the Omaha metro and you've got missing shingles, dented gutters, or water in the upstairs hallway. The next 72 hours matter more than most homeowners realize. Here's exactly what to do — and what to avoid.

First hour: safety first

Before anything else:

1. Stay off the roof. Wet shingles are slick and damaged decking can give way. Falls cause more injuries than the storm did.
2. Check the inside of the house for active leaks, ceiling bulges, or water near electrical fixtures. If you see water near a light fixture or outlet, shut off power to that circuit at the breaker.
3. Move valuables out from under any active leaks. Put down buckets, pots, and towels — protect floors and furniture.
4. If you see daylight through the roof from inside the attic, you have a major opening. Call for emergency tarping immediately.

First 24 hours: document everything

Insurance claims live and die on documentation. Get this done while the damage is fresh and the storm date is verifiable.

Photograph and video everything from the ground:

• All sides of the home (roof, gutters, siding, windows)
• Damaged vehicles, outbuildings, fencing
• Yard debris (broken tree limbs, fallen trees, blown items)
• Interior water damage if any
• Wide shots showing the storm context (neighborhood damage, downed branches in the street)

Record the exact storm date. Save a screenshot of the NWS storm report or a news article confirming the storm hit your area. Insurance adjusters cross-reference your claim against verified storm reports, and "I think it was Tuesday" doesn't hold up.

Don't throw anything away yet. Damaged items are evidence for your claim. Stack debris off your driveway if you need to, but don't bag it for trash until your adjuster has documented it.

Within 48 hours: get a professional inspection

Call a roofing contractor for a free inspection — before you call your insurance company.

Why this order? Because your contractor's documented damage report:

• Gives you an objective baseline of what's actually wrong with your roof
• Helps you decide whether the damage is worth a claim (some minor damage isn't worth filing if it's near or below your deductible)
• Catches damage adjusters routinely miss on the first visit (subtle hail bruising, code-required upgrades, damaged decking)
• Lets you walk into the adjuster meeting prepared

At Max Roofing, this inspection is free and unconditional. Most Omaha homeowners hear back from us within 24–48 hours after a major storm event.

Within 72 hours: file the claim

Once you know you have damage worth filing on, call your insurance company's claims line. You'll need:

• Your policy number
• The storm date
• A description of the damage (your contractor's report is gold here)
• Your contact information and availability for an adjuster visit

You'll get a claim number in this call. Save it.

For the detailed claim process, see our step-by-step Nebraska hail damage claim guide.

When you need emergency tarping

Call for emergency tarping if:

• You have active water entering the house
• You see visible holes, missing shingles in large areas, or peeled-back sections
• A tree or large limb is on the roof
• You can see daylight in the attic

Most Nebraska insurance policies require you to take "reasonable measures" to prevent further damage after a storm. Failing to tarp an actively leaking roof can give insurers grounds to reduce your settlement on the additional interior damage that accumulates.

Tarping is typically $300–$800 depending on access and area. It's also a reimbursable expense under most policies — save the receipt and submit it with your claim. Max Roofing offers 24/7 emergency tarping throughout the Omaha metro.

Common mistakes to avoid

Mistake 1: Climbing on the roof. Just don't. We've done thousands of post-storm inspections and we promise we can tell you what's wrong from a safer vantage.

Mistake 2: Signing with the first storm chaser at your door. After major storms in Omaha, out-of-state contractors flood the area. Most pack up and leave once the claims are paid, leaving local homeowners with no one to honor workmanship warranties. Stick with established local contractors who will still be here next year.

Mistake 3: Letting the contractor handle the claim without your contractor present at adjuster meetings. Some contractors aggressively avoid being at the adjuster meeting — usually because their bid is low and they plan to upsell during the work. Insist on having your contractor at the adjuster visit.

Mistake 4: Accepting the first insurance estimate. Initial adjuster estimates routinely miss line items (code upgrades, decking, flashing, full ridge vent replacement). Your contractor can file a supplement to add these. Supplements are routine and almost always paid.

Mistake 5: Agreeing to have your deductible "waived" or "rebated." This is insurance fraud in Nebraska. It voids your claim and exposes you to criminal liability. Any contractor offering this is one to avoid entirely.

Choose a local Omaha contractor

After a major storm, your roof matters less than your peace of mind. Pick a contractor who:

• Has been operating in the Omaha metro for at least 5 years
• Has a permanent local office (not just a magnet sign on a truck)
• Is licensed and insured in Nebraska, with workers' comp coverage
• Provides written, itemized estimates
• Will be at your adjuster meeting
• Handles supplements as part of standard service at no extra charge

Schedule a free post-storm inspection. We'll be out within 24–48 hours and walk you through your options with no pressure.

Service areas

We provide emergency storm damage response throughout the Omaha metro including Omaha, Council Bluffs, Papillion, Bellevue, La Vista, Gretna, and Elkhorn.

For more on what to look for, read 10 signs of hail damage on your roof and how to file a hail damage claim.