After a Hail or Wind Storm: A Toledo Homeowner's Roof Checklist

Severe weather is part of life in the Toledo area. The National Weather Service recorded an EF-2 tornado and hail near baseball size in Point Place and Harbor View on June 15, 2023. In March 2026, a windstorm across northwest Ohio tore part of a Perrysburg school's roof away (13abc). Here's what to do when the next one passes. Bookmark this page, and share it with neighbors, block clubs or anyone who just bought a house.

What should I check first after a storm?

Check for safety hazards first: downed lines, limbs on the roof, and water inside. Never climb onto a wet or damaged roof. Then walk the outside of the house from the ground.

Safety first

• Stay far from downed power lines and call the utility.
• If a tree is on the house, keep everyone out of the rooms beneath it.
• Turn off power to any room where water is near fixtures or outlets, if you can do so safely.

Ground-level roof check

• Shingles, tabs or ridge caps in the yard
• Bare patches or lifted shingles you can see from the street or a window
• Dents in gutters, downspouts, vents and metal flashing (hail marks show up best here)
• Granules washing out of downspouts
• Cracked skylights or damaged chimney caps
• Limbs resting on the roof

Inside check

• Fresh stains on ceilings, especially upstairs
• Damp insulation or daylight in the attic
• Water around chimneys, skylights and bathroom vents

How do I document roof damage for insurance?

Take dated photos and short videos of every sign of damage before anything is cleaned up or repaired. Photograph shingles on the ground next to something for scale. Save receipts for tarps, buckets and emergency repairs. Write down the storm date and time. A roofer's inspection photos help too; ask for them in a shared folder or email.

Insurance basics for storm damage

1. Call your insurer or agent to open a claim and ask what your deductible is for wind and hail.
2. Know your coverage type. Replacement-cost coverage pays to replace the roof; actual-cash-value coverage subtracts depreciation for age. The Texas Department of Insurance explains that replacement-cost claims are often paid in two checks. The Ohio Department of Insurance suggests asking your insurer whether your roof's age, condition or material decides which way a claim is paid, and notes many replacement-cost policies require repairs within a set time, such as 180 days.
3. Prevent more damage. Most policies expect you to cover openings with a tarp and keep receipts.
4. Be home for the adjuster and, if you can, have your roofer there too.
5. Get a written estimate from a local roofer before agreeing to any final number.

For typical prices, Angi's hail damage guide (2025 data) reports most hail roof repairs cost $375 to $7,500.

What hail does to different roofs

Angi's hail damage guide explains that hail affects each material differently:

• Asphalt shingles lose their protective granules and can bruise or crack. Bare spots wear out faster in the sun.
• Metal can dent in big hail, and severe storms can break seams and flashing.
• Slate gets more brittle as it ages, so older slate can chip or crack.
• Wood shakes split and crack, sometimes in ways that are hard to see from the ground.
• Flat rubber roofs rarely show damage, but the insulation or vents below can still be hurt.

Tarps and temporary repairs

If water is getting in, cover the opening as soon as it's safe. A roofer can tarp the damaged area and secure it so it holds in wind. Keep the receipt; most policies expect you to prevent more damage. Angi's 2026 repair guide says emergency service usually adds $100 to $300 or more to the bill. A tarp is a short-term fix, so ask how long it should last and when the full repair can be scheduled. Don't let a temporary fix turn into a permanent one by accident.

Should I file a claim or pay for repairs myself?

File if the repair costs well more than your deductible; pay yourself if it's close to or below it. Angi's hail guide notes that a claim can raise your premium, so get a written repair estimate first and compare. Check your policy for how long you have to report damage. Angi suggests filing within six months of the storm, but your policy's deadline is the one that counts.

Your first week after a storm

How do I spot a storm chaser?

Be careful with anyone who knocks unasked right after a storm and pushes you to sign that day. Not every door-knocker is a scammer, but the Ohio Attorney General sued a storm-chasing contractor in March 2026 over roof and siding jobs paid for and never finished. Warning signs:

• No local address, or a truck with out-of-state plates and no Ohio business name
• Pressure to sign today for a "storm special"
• A large deposit before any materials arrive
• Offers to waive or "cover" your insurance deductible
• Asking you to sign over your insurance check
• Ignoring a "No Soliciting" sign, or refusing to leave when asked
• A contract with no written notice of your right to cancel

Your 3-day right to cancel in Ohio

If you sign a contract with someone who came to your door, Ohio's Home Solicitation Sales Act generally gives you three days to cancel. The seller must give you a written agreement and written notice of your cancellation right, and generally can't start work until the three days pass, according to the Ohio Attorney General. To cancel, follow the instructions on the notice, in writing, and keep a copy. The Attorney General also suggests checking for complaints against a contractor with its office and the Better Business Bureau before you hire (source). Complaints go to the Attorney General at 800-282-0515.

Before you sign with any roofer

• Get at least two written estimates for the same scope.
• Confirm the business name, a local address and Toledo (or your suburb's) contractor registration.
• Ask who pulls the permit; see our roof permit guide.
• Pay deposits by check or card, never cash, and never the full amount up front.
• Get the start date, crew, cleanup and warranty in writing.

Who to call

Related: storm and hail roof damage · roof permit guide · roofing costs.