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After a hurricane, tropical storm, or severe thunderstorm damages your roof in New Orleans, acting fast protects your home and your insurance claim. Big Easy Roof Team provides a 24-Hour Roof Replacement Guarantee and free estimates to help New Orleans homeowners recover quickly from storm damage.
When a storm damages your roof, every hour matters. Big Easy Roof Team has seen firsthand how quickly a damaged roof in New Orleans goes from a fixable problem to a major structural issue. Between hurricanes, tropical storms, severe thunderstorms, and hail events, roofs across the Greater New Orleans area take more punishment than almost anywhere else in the country.
Common storm damage in New Orleans includes missing or lifted shingles, displaced flashing around vents and chimneys, punctures from fallen tree limbs, and water intrusion through compromised decking. Any one of these problems allows water into your home, and in a city that averages over 64 inches of rainfall per year, the next soaking rain is never far away.
The six steps below tell you exactly what to do after storm damage hits your roof. Follow them in order to protect your home, preserve your insurance claim, and get your roof back to solid condition as fast as possible.
Before anything else, make sure it is safe to go outside. Once conditions are clear, walk the perimeter of your home and look for obvious signs of roof damage: shingles on the ground, exposed underlayment, dented gutters, fallen branches on the roof, and standing water that should not be there.
Do not climb onto your roof after a storm. Wet surfaces are dangerously slippery, and structural damage may not be visible until weight is applied. Use binoculars to get a closer look at the roof surface from the ground. Check all sides of your home, including areas behind dormers and around chimneys where damage often hides.
Go inside and check every room for signs of water intrusion. Look at ceilings for new stains, bubbling paint, or sagging drywall. Check the attic if you can access it safely. Wet insulation, water dripping along rafters, or daylight visible through the roof deck all indicate damage that needs immediate attention.
If you see active water pouring into your home or structural elements that appear compromised, evacuate that area of the house and call for help immediately. Your safety always comes before any property concern.
The most frequent storm damage to New Orleans roofs includes wind-lifted shingles, torn or displaced flashing, punctures from airborne debris and fallen tree limbs, hail-dented shingles with granule loss, and water intrusion through damaged or saturated roof decking.
Hurricane and tropical storm winds attack roofs from every direction. Shingles lift along edges and ridges first, and once a single shingle is compromised, the wind catches the exposed underlayment and peels back additional shingles in rapid succession. This is why post-storm damage often appears as large swaths of missing shingles rather than isolated spots.
Hail damage is more subtle. Hailstones dent shingles and knock loose the protective granules on the surface. This damage may not cause an immediate leak, but it drastically reduces the remaining life of the shingle and makes it vulnerable to the next weather event. If hail hit your area, even shingles that look intact from the ground may need professional evaluation.
Take wide-angle photos showing the full scope of the damage, then close-up photos of each specific damaged area. Photograph fallen debris, water stains inside your home, damaged personal property, and the date and time stamp on your phone should be enabled. This documentation is the foundation of your entire insurance claim.
Start outside. Photograph every side of your home, including areas that appear undamaged. Get clear shots of missing shingles, dented gutters, displaced flashing, and any tree limbs or debris on or around your roof. If there are shingles or roofing material on the ground, photograph them where they landed before you move anything.
Move inside and photograph every sign of water intrusion: ceiling stains, wet walls, damaged flooring, and ruined belongings. Open your attic access and photograph any visible damage from below. Take video as well if you can. Video provides context that still photos sometimes miss.
Write down the date and approximate time the storm occurred, along with a brief description of what you observed. Save all photos and notes in a dedicated folder. You will need this information when you file your claim and when your adjuster visits.
Yes. Louisiana law and most insurance policies expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after a storm. Applying a tarp over the damaged area is the most common and effective temporary measure. Keep all receipts for tarps and materials, as your insurance should reimburse these costs.
If you can safely access the damaged area, secure a heavy-duty tarp over it using weights or fasteners. The tarp should extend well beyond the damaged zone on all sides and be anchored securely enough to withstand additional wind and rain. If the damage is on a steep slope or involves a large section of roof, do not attempt this yourself. Call a roofing contractor for emergency tarping.
Inside your home, place buckets or containers under active leaks. Move furniture, electronics, and valuables away from wet areas. If water is pooling on a ceiling and causing it to sag, carefully puncture the lowest point of the sag to release the water into a container. This prevents the ceiling from collapsing under the weight.
Do not make permanent repairs before your insurance adjuster has inspected the damage. Temporary measures to stop ongoing water intrusion are expected and encouraged. Permanent repairs before documentation can complicate your claim.
File your claim as soon as possible after documenting the damage. Louisiana homeowners should be aware of named-storm deductibles, which typically range from 2% to 5% of your home’s insured value and apply separately from your standard deductible. Understanding this before you file helps you set realistic expectations for your out-of-pocket costs.
Contact your insurance company by phone and follow up in writing. Provide your policy number, the date of the storm, and a summary of the damage you observed. Let them know you have photographic documentation ready. Ask when an adjuster will be assigned and what the expected timeline is for their visit.
Named-storm deductibles are a Louisiana-specific issue that catches many homeowners off guard. If your home is insured for $300,000 and your named-storm deductible is 2%, you are responsible for the first $6,000 of storm damage repairs. This deductible applies to damage from hurricanes and tropical storms that receive an official name. Standard thunderstorm damage typically falls under your regular deductible.
Keep a detailed log of every communication with your insurance company: dates, names, reference numbers, and what was discussed. If the claims process stalls or you receive an offer that does not cover the actual repair cost, having this record is essential. Big Easy Roof Team works with homeowners through the insurance claims process and can help ensure your claim reflects the true scope of the damage.
A licensed roofing contractor can identify damage that is invisible from the ground, including compromised decking, hidden leaks, damaged underlayment, and structural weakening that only shows up under close physical inspection. All of our roofers at Big Easy Roof Team are licensed and trained to assess storm damage thoroughly.
Storm damage is often more extensive than what a homeowner can see. Wind-driven rain pushes water under shingles that appear intact from below. Hail can fracture the fiberglass mat inside a shingle without breaking the surface. Fallen debris can crack decking without puncturing through. A professional inspection with a hands-on evaluation of the roof surface catches these problems before they turn into interior damage.
Your contractor’s inspection report also serves as critical evidence for your insurance claim. A detailed, itemized report from a licensed roofer carries significant weight with adjusters and can help close the gap between the insurance company’s initial estimate and the actual cost of proper roof repairs.
Be cautious of storm chasers who go door-to-door after major weather events. Work with an established local contractor who will be here long after the repairs are complete. Big Easy Roof Team provides free estimates for all services and has deep roots in the New Orleans community.
Permanent repairs should begin as soon as your insurance claim is approved and your contractor can schedule the work. In New Orleans, where the next storm can arrive within days, delays in permanent repair leave your home exposed to compounding damage. Big Easy Roof Team offers a 24-Hour Roof Replacement Guarantee to get your home protected fast.
Once the adjuster has inspected the damage and your claim is moving forward, work with your contractor to schedule permanent repairs or a full roof replacement if the damage is extensive. Do not wait for the final insurance check to arrive before starting the conversation. Good contractors book up quickly after major storms, and getting on the schedule early matters.
If the damage is isolated to a small area, targeted repairs may be sufficient. But if the storm compromised a large section of your roof, or if your roof was already aging before the storm hit, a full replacement may be the smarter long-term investment. Your contractor should walk you through both options with honest cost and longevity comparisons.
During the repair or replacement, your contractor should also address any secondary damage that the storm exposed: rotted decking, corroded flashing, inadequate ventilation, or compromised underlayment. Fixing only the visible surface damage while ignoring underlying issues sets you up for problems during the next storm.
Call a roofing contractor immediately if you see any of the following after a storm:
Active water leaking into your home. Missing shingles visible from the ground. Tree limbs or large debris resting on your roof. Dented, cracked, or visibly damaged shingles. Displaced flashing or ridge caps. Sagging areas on the roof surface. Gutters that have been pulled away from the roofline.
Even if you do not see obvious damage, schedule a professional inspection if a hurricane, tropical storm, or severe hailstorm affected your area. Hidden damage from these events is common across New Orleans, and catching it early prevents far more expensive repairs later.
If you are unsure whether the damage warrants a call, call anyway. Big Easy Roof Team provides free estimates for all services, and an inspection takes far less time and money than repairing water damage that could have been prevented.
Big Easy Roof Team helps New Orleans homeowners recover from storm damage quickly and correctly. With our 24-Hour Roof Replacement Guarantee, licensed roofers, and free estimates, you get the fast response and reliable workmanship your home needs after a storm.
We serve New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Slidell, Baton Rouge, and throughout Louisiana and Florida.
Call 504-285-5388 now or request your free estimate online. Do not wait for the next storm to make the damage worse.
Most Louisiana homeowner policies require you to report damage promptly, and the state generally allows one year from the date of loss to file a property damage claim. However, filing as soon as possible after the storm gives you the best chance of a smooth process and accurate damage assessment.
A named-storm deductible is a separate, higher deductible that applies when damage is caused by a hurricane or tropical storm that has been officially named. In Louisiana, these deductibles typically range from 2% to 5% of your home’s total insured value, which can mean thousands of dollars out of pocket before insurance coverage begins.
Not necessarily. Insurance adjusters sometimes underestimate the scope of storm damage, especially hidden damage that requires a roof-level inspection to identify. Get an independent estimate from a licensed roofing contractor and compare it to the adjuster’s assessment before accepting any settlement.
Wind damage typically appears as patches of missing shingles, lifted shingle edges, or exposed underlayment concentrated in specific areas. Normal wear shows as uniform granule loss, curling, or cracking spread evenly across the roof. A licensed roofer can distinguish between the two, which matters for insurance claims.
It depends on the severity. Minor shingle damage with no active leaks usually does not require evacuation. If you see sagging ceilings, structural cracking, active water flowing into living spaces, or exposed roof decking, relocate until the damage is assessed and temporary repairs are in place.
Be cautious. Never sign a contract on the spot or allow anyone to perform work before your insurance adjuster inspects the damage. Work with an established local contractor like Big Easy Roof Team that has a verifiable track record in the New Orleans area and will be available for warranty support long after the repair.
Yes. Big Easy Roof Team works with homeowners through the insurance claims process, providing detailed inspection reports, damage documentation, and repair estimates that help ensure your claim reflects the full scope of the damage to your roof.
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