# My Roof Was Damaged After a Windstorm — What Should I Do First? | Roofing Everett WA

> The right order of steps after windstorm roof damage in Everett — from immediate safety to documentation to repair — so you don't compromise an insurance claim or make the damage worse.

URL: https://roofingeverettwa.com/guide/roof-damaged-after-windstorm-what-to-do/

Secure the property without getting on the roof yourself, photograph the damage before any repair, note the date and storm conditions, then call for a professional assessment before assuming whether the damage is covered by insurance. Acting in this order protects both your home and any potential claim.

Windstorm season (roughly November through February) is a real, recurring event in Everett given its direct, unsheltered exposure on Puget Sound. Here's the right order of steps if it just happened to you.

## Step 1: Secure the property, safely

If there's an active interior leak, contain it from the inside — buckets, moving belongings, a tarp over furniture — without getting on the roof yourself. Wet, windy post-storm conditions on potentially compromised roofing are dangerous, and this is exactly the kind of assessment worth leaving to a professional visit rather than DIY roof access.

## Step 2: Photograph before any repair

Once it's safe, photograph the visible damage from the ground or a ladder at eave height — wide shots for context, close-ups for detail, undamaged areas for contrast. See our [full documentation checklist](/guide/what-to-photograph-insurance-adjuster-roof/) for specifics. Do this before any repair work happens, since repairs can complicate later claims documentation.

## Step 3: Note the date and conditions

Record when the storm happened and what you observed — this supports the "sudden event" timeline that matters for an insurance claim, whether or not you end up filing one.

## Step 4: Get a professional assessment

Call for a free storm-damage inspection. We'll assess the actual extent of damage, provide time-stamped photo documentation, and tell you honestly whether the damage looks storm-related (typically covered) or pre-existing wear (typically not) — see our [dedicated comparison guide](/guide/storm-damage-or-pre-existing-wear/).

## Step 5: Decide on repair timing

If the damage is contained and not actively leaking, a scheduled repair within a few business days is usually fine. If there's an active leak or missing material leaving the deck exposed, temporary weatherproofing (tarping) buys time until a full repair can happen — we can arrange this safely as part of the assessment visit.

## Step 6: File a claim if applicable

Once you have documentation and a professional assessment, you're in the strongest position to file an insurance claim if the damage qualifies as a covered event. See our [insurance coverage guide](/guide/does-insurance-cover-wind-damage-roof-washington/) for what typically is and isn't covered.

## The bottom line

Safety first, documentation before repair, professional assessment before assuming coverage either way. Call for a free storm-damage inspection — we prioritize these calls during active windstorm season.

## FAQ

**Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?**

Either order works, but getting a professional assessment early gives you documentation and an honest read on scope before you're deep into a claims conversation. We provide free storm-damage assessments specifically for this.

**Is it safe to tarp the roof myself?**

Not recommended after storm damage — wet, windy conditions on a compromised roof are genuinely dangerous. We can arrange temporary weatherproofing safely as part of the assessment visit.

**How fast should I act?**

Promptly, but safety first. Active leaks should be contained from the inside where possible; the roof itself should wait for a professional assessment rather than DIY roof access.