What to Do After a Tornado or Severe Storm Damages Your Home

A homeowner’s guide to inspecting your roof, siding, windows, doors, gutters and deck after severe weather

On Thursday, August 20, severe weather moved through Delaware, including a confirmed tornado that impacted the Dover area. The National Weather Service reported a tornado near Dover, and significant damage was reported in parts of the city, including the Division Street and Lockerman Street corridor and portions of North DuPont Highway.

When a storm like this moves through, the first priority is simple: make sure everyone is safe.

Once the weather has passed and it is safe to go outside, the next question many homeowners face is, “What do I do now?”

Storm damage isn’t always obvious. A few shingles in the yard might be easy to spot, while lifted shingles, damaged flashing, loose siding or a compromised gutter system can be much harder to see from the ground.

At Pro Exteriors, we believe homeowners should have straightforward information before making decisions about repairs. Here’s what to do after a tornado or severe storm impacts your home.

1. Make Sure It’s Safe Before Inspecting Your Property

Before worrying about your roof or siding, make sure your property is safe to approach.

Stay away from:

• Downed power lines
• Damaged utility equipment
• Unstable trees or large branches
• Areas of your home that appear structurally compromised
• Broken glass and other debris
• Any portion of the roof that appears unstable

And one important piece of advice from our team:

Don’t get on your roof yourself.

Even if you’re comfortable doing home maintenance, a roof that’s been exposed to tornado-force winds or falling debris isn’t the place to test your balance.

Instead, perform a visual inspection from the ground when conditions are safe. If something looks out of place, have a qualified professional take a closer look.

2. Walk Around Your Home and Look for Obvious Damage

You don’t need to be a contractor to identify signs that your home may have been affected.

Take a slow walk around the exterior and look for anything that wasn’t there before the storm.

You might notice:

• Shingles on the ground
• Missing or visibly lifted shingles
• Broken branches on the roof
• Damaged or missing siding
• Loose gutters or downspouts
• Bent flashing
• Damaged window glass
• Damaged door frames or exterior doors
• Loose deck boards or railings
• Fallen trees or large branches
• Holes or visible openings in the exterior
• Water entering the home

If something seems off, don’t assume it’s insignificant.

Storm damage can sometimes be less dramatic than the storm itself.

3. Check Your Roof From the Ground

Your roof is one of the first areas to inspect after a severe storm because it takes the brunt of wind, rain and falling debris.

From the ground, look for:

• Missing shingles
• Shingles that appear lifted or displaced
• Exposed areas of the roof
• Damaged vents or other roof penetrations
• Bent or damaged flashing
• Branches or debris resting on the roof
• Pieces of roofing material in your yard

You may not be able to see every problem from the ground, and that’s okay. In fact, that’s one of the reasons we don’t recommend homeowners climb onto their roofs after a storm.

If you see something concerning, contact a qualified roofing professional for a thorough exterior inspection.

4. Don’t Forget Your Siding

Wind and flying debris can damage siding even when the roof appears to be in good shape.

Walk around the house and look for:

• Missing siding panels
• Cracked or broken siding
• Holes or punctures
• Loose sections
• Panels that have shifted
• Visible impact marks
• Damaged trim around windows and doors

A storm doesn’t have to completely remove a section of siding for it to deserve attention.

If a panel has been loosened or damaged, water can potentially find its way behind the siding during the next rainstorm.

5. Inspect Your Windows and Doors

Windows and exterior doors can also be vulnerable during severe weather.

Look for:

• Broken or cracked glass
• Damaged frames
• Loose exterior trim
• Doors that no longer close or latch properly
• Visible damage around door openings
• Signs of water intrusion
• Damage from branches or flying debris

If a window or door has been compromised, take photographs and address the issue as soon as it is safely possible.

A damaged opening can leave the interior of your home vulnerable to additional rain and wind.

6. Look Closely at Your Gutters

Gutters might not be the first thing homeowners think about after a tornado, but they’re an important part of your home’s exterior drainage system.

Check for:

• Gutters pulled away from the fascia
• Bent or crushed gutter sections
• Detached downspouts
• Damaged gutter hangers
• Missing sections
• Debris blocking the system
• Damage to the fascia behind the gutters

If your gutters have been pulled loose, don’t simply push them back into place and forget about them.

The storm may have damaged the components that secure the gutter system to your home.

7. Don’t Forget Your Deck or Porch

Your deck or porch can also sustain damage from high winds, falling branches and flying debris.

Look for:

• Loose or damaged decking boards
• Damaged railings
• Missing balusters
• Shifted structural components
• Damaged stairs
• Loose connections
• Fallen branches or trees
• Visible movement or instability

If something feels unstable, stay off the deck until it can be properly evaluated.

8. Take Photos and Document What You Find

If you discover damage, take photographs before cleanup or repairs whenever it is safe to do so.

Take wide photos showing the overall property as well as closer photos of individual areas of damage.

Consider documenting:

• The front, back and sides of the home
• Roof damage visible from the ground
• Damaged siding
• Windows and doors
• Gutters and downspouts
• Decks and porches
• Fallen trees or branches
• Debris
• Any visible interior water damage

You don’t need professional photography equipment. Your phone is perfectly capable of creating useful documentation.

The goal is simply to create a record of what you found after the storm.

9. Contact Your Insurance Company

If your home has sustained storm damage, contact your insurance company and ask about the next steps for your specific policy.

Remember that your insurance company determines coverage.

A qualified contractor can help document the physical condition of your home and provide information you can use when discussing the damage with your insurer.

Keep copies of photographs, inspection reports, estimates and other relevant documentation.

10. Be Careful About Making Permanent Repairs Immediately

If your home has suffered damage, it’s understandable to want everything fixed immediately.

But take a breath before signing a contract or making permanent repairs.

First, document the damage.

Then make sure you understand:

• What was damaged
• What needs to be repaired
• What needs to be replaced
• What your insurance company requires
• Who will be performing the work
• What the proposed scope of work includes

If temporary measures are necessary to prevent additional damage, address those appropriately and safely. But don’t let the pressure of a storm turn a stressful situation into a rushed decision.

What If I Can’t See Any Damage?

This is one of the most common questions homeowners have after a storm.

If you can’t see obvious damage, that doesn’t necessarily mean your home wasn’t affected.

Some storm damage isn’t immediately apparent from the ground.

That’s particularly true for roofing components, flashing, siding connections and other exterior details.

If your property was directly affected by severe weather and you’re concerned about possible damage, a professional exterior inspection can give you a better understanding of your home’s condition.

What If I Find Damage on One Part of My Home?

Don’t assume that’s the only place damage occurred.

For example, if you find a few shingles in the yard, it’s worth looking at the rest of the exterior as well.

A thorough inspection should consider the entire exterior, including:

Roof → Siding → Windows → Doors → Gutters → Decks & Porches

Storms don’t particularly care which part of your house is on the invoice.

That’s why looking at the whole exterior can be important.

A Simple Storm-Damage Checklist

After a severe storm, here’s a simple place to start:

• Make sure everyone is safe.
• Stay away from downed power lines and unstable structures.
• Do not climb onto your roof.
• Walk around the property when it is safe.
• Look for missing shingles or roofing debris.
• Check for damaged or missing siding.
• Look at windows and exterior doors.
• Inspect gutters and downspouts.
• Check decks, porches and railings.
• Look for fallen trees or branches.
• Photograph visible damage.
• Contact your insurance company if appropriate.
• Have a qualified contractor inspect areas of concern.
• Avoid rushing into permanent repairs before you understand the damage.

Click here for a downloadable Storm-Damage Checklist

Pro Exteriors Can Help You Understand What Happened to Your Home

Severe weather can leave homeowners with a lot of questions.

Was that just a branch on the roof, or did it damage the shingles underneath?

Is that siding panel simply loose, or was the system damaged?

Are those gutters just bent, or did the storm damage the fascia behind them?

And perhaps the biggest question:

“How bad is it?”

That’s where a professional inspection can help.

At Pro Exteriors, we can inspect your home’s exterior and look for storm-related damage to your roof, siding, windows, doors, gutters, decks and porches.

Our process is straightforward:

You contact Pro Exteriors → We inspect your home → We document what we find → We explain our recommendations → You can use that information when working with your insurance company → We handle the necessary repairs or replacement.

No guessing. No climbing onto your roof. No need to figure everything out yourself.

Just a thorough look at what happened and a clear explanation of what comes next.

Schedule a Free Storm Damage Inspection

If your home in Kent County or the surrounding Delaware area was affected by the August 20 storm, or if you’re concerned about damage from another recent severe-weather event, we’re here to help.

Schedule a free storm damage inspection with Pro Exteriors.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Damage

Does homeowners insurance cover tornado damage?

Coverage depends on your specific homeowners insurance policy and the circumstances surrounding the damage. Your insurance company determines whether a particular loss is covered and what your policy provides.

A qualified contractor can document the physical damage to your home so you have accurate information when discussing the situation with your insurer.

Should I get on my roof to look for storm damage?

No.

After a tornado or severe storm, roofing materials, decking and other components may be damaged or unstable. Inspect your roof visually from the ground and have a qualified professional perform a closer inspection.

What are the most common signs of storm damage to a roof?

Common signs include missing or displaced shingles, roofing debris in the yard, damaged flashing, broken roof components, fallen branches and visible areas of exposed roofing materials.

Some damage may not be visible from the ground, which is why a professional inspection can be helpful.

Can a tornado damage siding without damaging the roof?

Yes. Wind and flying debris can damage siding, trim and other exterior components independently of the roof.

That’s why it’s important to inspect the entire exterior after a severe storm.

Can storm damage affect gutters?

Yes. High winds and falling debris can pull gutters away from the fascia, bend sections, damage downspouts or loosen the components that hold the system in place.

What should I do if a tree falls on my roof?

First, make sure everyone is safe and stay away from areas that may be structurally unstable. Do not climb onto the roof or attempt to remove a large tree yourself.

Photograph the damage from a safe location, contact the appropriate emergency or tree-removal professionals if necessary, and contact your insurance company and a qualified contractor to determine the next steps.

How soon should I have my home inspected after a storm?

If you see signs of damage, it’s a good idea to have the property inspected as soon as it is reasonably safe to do so. Prompt documentation can help you understand the condition of your home and determine what needs attention before additional weather creates further problems.

What if I don’t see any obvious storm damage?

That’s good news, but it doesn’t necessarily rule out less-visible damage. If your home was in an area directly affected by severe weather and you have concerns, a professional exterior inspection can provide additional peace of mind.

Storm Damage Doesn’t Have to Leave You Guessing

A tornado can turn a normal Thursday evening into a very different Friday morning.

Once everyone is safe, the next step is understanding what happened to your home and what, if anything, needs to be done about it.

Take pictures. Stay off the roof. Look around the exterior. Contact your insurance company when appropriate. And if something doesn’t look right, have a professional take a closer look.

If you’re in Kent County and need help evaluating your home’s exterior after the August 20, 2026 storm, Pro Exteriors is here to help.

Schedule your free storm damage inspection today.