Get matched with top hurricane film pros in Seward, AK

If your roof has storm damage, there will be some telltale signs. These include missing, loose, or damaged shingles. You may notice cracks or dents on the metal parts of your roof, like flashing, gutters, or metal panels. Water leaks are another big indicator. So are visible signs of impact. Rather than climb up on your roof to check, hire a professional to inspect the area  safely.

Yes, home insurance coverage includes hail damage. An HO-1 insurance policy offers the most basic coverage for homeowners. In every homeowners’ insurance policy, the insurer includes a list of perils (or dangers) that you’re covered from, and HO-1 policies almost always include protection against hail and windstorms as well as other perils like fire, lightning, and vandalism. All you need to do is file a homeowners insurance claim, and your insurer will send you a check for the amount covered.

Stay inside or well away until the storm passes. Don’t go outside to inspect the tree until the weather clears, especially if the tree is on a hill or isolated in a field. Lightning often strikes the same easily-accessed places multiple times, and you could be a new target. If a lightning strike causes a noticeable fire, alert emergency services. When the storm is over, take a closer look to gauge the damage done.

Lightning can cause massive damage, fires, and openings for other threats like bugs or fungal diseases. Barring any large fires or explosions, it’s difficult to tell how much damage a lightning strike has done until after a thorough inspection. Contact local authorities immediately if lightning strikes a tree in your yard and it causes a fire or explosion.