Renew Roofing Team
Licensed Louisiana Contractor #3262 · 500+ Projects Completed
Louisiana faces more severe weather than almost any other state in the country. From 1980 to 2024, the state experienced 106 billion-dollar weather disasters — including 27 tropical cyclone events and 44 severe storm events, according to NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. That means your roof is constantly at risk.
If a storm just hit your area, here is exactly what to do — step by step.
Step 1: Prioritize Safety
Do not go on your roof. This is the most important rule after a storm. Wet, damaged roofing materials are extremely slippery, and structural damage may not be visible from above.
Before approaching any part of your property:
- Check for downed power lines near your home or in your yard
- Watch for standing water that could be hiding electrical hazards
- Look for structural damage — if walls or ceilings appear to be sagging, evacuate and call emergency services
- Turn off electricity to affected areas if you see water near outlets or wiring
Key fact: According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, electrocution and falls are the leading causes of post-storm homeowner injuries. Stay on the ground and let professionals handle the roof.
Step 2: Document Everything from the Ground
Thorough documentation is critical for your records and for any future conversations with contractors or your insurance company. Start documenting immediately — before any cleanup or temporary repairs.
What to photograph:
- Wide shots of your entire roof from multiple angles
- Close-ups of visible damage (missing shingles, dents, debris)
- Gutters and downspouts — look for dents, detachment, or excessive granule buildup
- Interior damage — water stains on ceilings, wet walls, dripping
- Attic space — if safely accessible, look for daylight coming through, wet insulation, or dark spots on the underside of the roof deck
- Yard debris — fallen shingles, flashing, or other roofing materials on the ground
- Timestamps — make sure your phone’s date/time stamp is enabled on photos
Pro tip from our team:
Take a video walkthrough as well. Walk around the entire perimeter of your home narrating what you see. This provides context that individual photos cannot.
Step 3: Look for These 7 Signs of Roof Damage
You do not need to climb on the roof to identify damage. Here are the key signs visible from ground level:
Exterior signs:
- Missing or displaced shingles — gaps in your roof surface where shingles have blown off
- Curled or lifted shingles — edges peeling upward means the sealant strip has been broken by wind
- Granule loss — check your gutters for small, dark, sand-like particles. Excessive granule accumulation means your shingles are degrading
- Dented or damaged gutters — hail large enough to dent metal gutters almost certainly damaged your shingles too
- Damaged flashing — bent or missing metal around vents, chimneys, and roof edges
- Debris on the roof — branches, leaves, or other objects can cause hidden impact damage underneath
Interior signs:
- Water stains or dripping — brown spots on ceilings, wet walls, musty odors, or visible dripping indicate an active roof leak
Key fact: According to Owens Corning, hail damage to asphalt shingles often appears as dark spots or circular depressions where granules have been knocked away. These may not be visible from the ground but can lead to leaks within months.
Step 4: Prevent Further Damage
If your roof is actively leaking or has exposed areas, take temporary protective measures immediately. This is your responsibility as a homeowner — failing to mitigate further damage can complicate things down the road.
What you can do:
- Place buckets under active leaks to catch water
- Move valuables and furniture away from affected areas
- Cover exposed areas with tarps if you can do so safely from the ground or a low ladder
- Do not attempt major repairs yourself — temporary tarping is fine, but leave permanent repairs to licensed professionals
When to call for emergency tarping:
If the damage is significant — large sections of missing shingles, holes in the roof, or water pouring in — call a roofing contractor for emergency tarping. At Renew Roofing, we provide 24/7 emergency tarping services across the Greater Baton Rouge area. Call (225) 749-1886 anytime.
Important: Document the condition of your roof before and after any temporary repairs. Keep all receipts for tarps, buckets, or other materials you purchase — these may be needed later.
Step 5: Call a Licensed Roofing Contractor
Contact a licensed roofing contractor for a professional inspection. This should be your next call after ensuring safety and documenting damage.
What to look for in a contractor:
- Active Louisiana contractor license (you can verify at the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors)
- General liability and workers’ compensation insurance — ask to see certificates
- Local presence — out-of-state storm chasers often disappear after collecting payment
- Free inspection — reputable contractors do not charge for post-storm inspections
- No high-pressure tactics — be wary of anyone who pressures you to sign immediately
What a professional inspection covers:
A licensed inspector will get on the roof and assess damage that is not visible from the ground, including:
- Shingle bruising and impact marks from hail
- Compromised sealant strips and nail pops
- Flashing damage around penetrations
- Decking damage underneath shingles
- Ventilation system damage
- Gutter and soffit condition
They will document all findings with photos and provide a written assessment with recommended repairs.
Renew Roofing offers free professional roof inspections across all of Southeast Louisiana. Our licensed team (License #3262) will assess your roof, document every finding with photos, and provide an honest recommendation. Call (225) 749-1886 or request an inspection online.
Step 6: Understand Important Louisiana Timelines
Louisiana has specific timelines that homeowners should be aware of after storm damage:
| Timeline | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Immediately | Document damage, prevent further damage |
| Within 24-48 hours | Contact a licensed roofing contractor for inspection |
| As soon as possible | Report damage to your insurance company |
| Within your policy period | File any formal claims within the timeframe specified in your policy |
Louisiana-specific protections:
- Your insurer cannot cancel, refuse to renew, or raise your premium solely because of a loss caused by an Act of God (Louisiana Department of Insurance)
- La. R.S. 22:1892 requires insurers to pay undisputed claims within 30 days of receiving satisfactory proof of loss
- La. R.S. 22:1973 provides penalties for insurers who arbitrarily fail to pay claims
Step 7: Avoid These Common Mistakes
After years of storm damage repair across Louisiana, our team sees homeowners make these mistakes repeatedly:
Mistake 1: Waiting too long
Small leaks become big problems fast in Louisiana’s humidity. Moisture trapped in your attic can lead to mold growth within 24-48 hours in our subtropical climate.
Mistake 2: Hiring unlicensed contractors
Storm chasers from out of state flood Louisiana after every major weather event. They often collect payment and leave, with no warranty and no recourse. Always verify the contractor’s Louisiana license.
Mistake 3: Not documenting before cleanup
Once you clean up debris or make temporary repairs, the original damage is harder to document. Always photograph before touching anything.
Mistake 4: Signing contracts under pressure
Never sign a contract the same day a contractor shows up at your door. A reputable contractor will give you time to review their assessment and estimate.
Mistake 5: Ignoring interior damage
Roof damage often causes interior damage — water-stained ceilings, damaged drywall, warped flooring. Make sure your contractor addresses both the roof and any interior damage it caused.
Louisiana Storm Damage: Key Statistics
Understanding the scope of storm damage in Louisiana helps explain why proactive roof maintenance matters:
- 106 billion-dollar weather disasters in Louisiana from 1980-2024 (NOAA NCEI)
- $60 billion in storm-related insurance claims nationally in 2023, double the previous year
- Wind and hail account for over 50% of all residential insurance claims
- NOAA forecasts 13-19 named storms for the 2025 hurricane season, with 3-5 major hurricanes
- Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 — six full months of elevated risk
- Average roof lifespan in Louisiana is 15-20 years — shorter than the national average due to our climate
Your Storm Damage Action Plan (Quick Reference)
For easy reference, here is the complete action plan:
- Stay safe — do not go on the roof, watch for hazards
- Document everything — photos, video, timestamps
- Check for the 7 signs of damage from the ground
- Prevent further damage — tarps, buckets, move valuables
- Call a licensed contractor — get a free professional inspection
- Report to your insurer — file promptly, provide documentation
- Avoid common mistakes — do not wait, do not hire unlicensed workers
Get a Free Roof Inspection
If your roof was recently damaged by a storm — or if you simply want to know your roof’s current condition — Renew Roofing & Restoration offers free, no-obligation professional inspections across all of Southeast Louisiana.
- Phone: (225) 749-1886 (24/7)
- License: Louisiana Contractor #3262
- Areas served: Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Hammond, New Orleans, Mandeville, and 13 more cities
- Response time: Same-day for emergencies, within 24-48 hours for standard inspections