When a storm rolls through Greenville and Eastern North Carolina, the hours and days after it matter more than most homeowners realize. The decisions you make right away can be the difference between a simple repair and a ruined ceiling, or between a smooth insurance claim and a frustrating one.
At Roofing Solutions NC, we've spent more than 15 years helping homeowners across Eastern and Coastal North Carolina recover from hurricanes, tropical storms, and high wind events. We've seen what goes right and what goes wrong. Here's exactly what we tell our own customers to do after a storm damages their roof.
We serve Greenville, Jacksonville, Wilson, Edgecombe County, and communities throughout Eastern and Coastal NC.
The 5-Step Action Plan
Stay Safe and Stay Off the Roof
Before you do anything else, make sure everyone in your home is safe. Watch for downed power lines, fallen trees, and any water near outlets or electrical panels. If you see a hazard, keep your distance and call the proper emergency service. And please, don't climb on your roof. A storm-damaged roof can be wet, slick, and weakened in places you can't see. No amount of damage is worth a fall. You can safely look from the ground, from a window, or from inside your attic with a flashlight. Leave the rest to a professional.
Call a Local Roofer First
This is where our advice may be different from what you've read elsewhere. We tell Greenville homeowners to call a trusted local roofer first. Most homeowners can't tell from the ground whether a storm caused real damage. A professional inspection tells you what you're actually dealing with before you open a claim. If there's real storm damage, you'll go into the claim process with documentation in hand. If there isn't, you'll know that too, and you won't file a claim for nothing. Once the damage is confirmed, contact your insurance company promptly to report it. Most policies expect quick notice after a loss, so don't let it sit.
Stop the Water With Emergency Tarping
If water is coming into your home, stopping it is the top priority. Interior water damage spreads fast and becomes the most expensive part of a storm repair. Roofing Solutions NC offers emergency tarping to protect your home until permanent repairs can be made. We move quickly on emergency calls, photograph all damage before we tarp so the evidence your insurance claim depends on is preserved, and provide itemized receipts — reasonable tarping costs may be reimbursable by your insurer. While you wait, protect what you can inside: move furniture away from leaks, put buckets under drips, and lay down plastic or towels to protect your floors.
Document Everything
Photos and video are the backbone of any storm damage claim. Before you clean up, move debris, or make any repairs, document everything you can safely reach. Take wide shots of each side of your home and close-ups of any visible damage. Photograph shingles, gutters, siding, or debris in your yard. Capture ceiling stains, wet insulation, and water damage inside. Write down the date and time of the storm and keep a list of damaged belongings. Our team adds to this with detailed photo documentation of the roof and attic, so you and your insurance company can see exactly what we see.
Don't Make Permanent Repairs Too Early
It's natural to want everything fixed right away. But making permanent repairs or replacing your roof before your insurance company has inspected the damage can complicate or hurt your claim. Temporary repairs like tarping are the right move. Permanent work should wait until the adjuster has inspected and you've agreed on the scope and cost of repairs. Also check with your insurance company before throwing away any damaged materials.
Need emergency help right now?
Our storm damage restoration team offers emergency tarping and same-day inspections across Eastern NC. We document everything before we touch the roof.
Schedule a free inspectionHow We Help During the Insurance Claim
The insurance process can feel overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with a damaged home. This is where having an experienced local roofer in your corner really pays off.
We Meet the Adjuster
We meet your insurance adjuster on the roof and point out all of the storm damage. Some damage is easy to miss, especially to someone who isn't familiar with how our storms affect roofs in this area.
We Document in the Same Format Insurers Use
Our team includes Xactimate-trained staff. Xactimate is the same software many insurance companies use to price claims. Documenting damage in that format helps make sure nothing gets overlooked.
We Review the Scope With You
When your insurance paperwork comes back, we go over it with you line by line. If something was missed or looks underpaid, we'll flag it so you can address it with your insurance company.
We Tell You If a Claim Doesn't Make Sense
Not every storm leaves damage worth claiming. If what we find doesn't justify a claim, we'll tell you honestly. Our goal is to give you good advice, not to push you into a claim or a roof you don't need.
Replacing your roof after a storm? Consider going FORTIFIED.
If your roof needs full replacement, Eastern NC homeowners can qualify for insurance premium discounts by upgrading to a FORTIFIED-designated roof. Built to IBHS standards, FORTIFIED roofs are engineered to better withstand the wind and rain our region sees every storm season.
Learn about FORTIFIED roofing →How to Spot a Storm Chaser
After every major storm, out-of-town crews flood into Eastern North Carolina looking for quick jobs. Some do fine work, but many don't, and they're long gone by the time problems show up. Trusting a non-local roofing company is one of the most costly mistakes we see homeowners make.
Red flags to watch for
A local roofer lives here, works here, and will still be here long after storm season ends. Before you sign anything, check the contractor's license, look for a local address and reviews, and talk with your insurance company.
The Biggest Mistakes We See After a Storm
Over the years, we've watched good homeowners make the same mistakes again and again. Avoid these and you'll be ahead of most people.
- Waiting too long — small storm damage turns into leaks, rotted decking, and mold, and waiting can also make the insurance process harder.
- Not taking photos — cleaning up or repairing before documenting the damage can leave you with nothing to show your insurance company.
- Assuming there's no damage — a roof can look fine from the ground and still have lifted shingles, broken seals, or damaged flashing. If a strong storm came through, get it inspected.
- Making permanent repairs too early — fixing or replacing the roof before the adjuster inspects can hurt your claim.
- Trusting a non-local roofing company — storm chasers may offer a fast fix, but they rarely stick around to stand behind their work.
Worried about the cost of repairs?
We work with GoodLeap to offer flexible financing options for roof repairs and replacements. Don't let cost be the reason you delay a necessary repair.
Why Greenville Homeowners Call Roofing Solutions NC
Roofing Solutions NC has served homeowners across Eastern and Coastal North Carolina for more than 15 years. We're a licensed North Carolina General Contractor (#105085), an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, an IBHS FORTIFIED Certified Contractor, and factory trained with Owens Corning, CertainTeed, and Mule-Hide. Our Xactimate-trained team knows how to document storm damage the right way. We're local, we're not going anywhere, and we treat every home like it belongs to our own family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first after storm damage?
Call a trusted local roofer first. A professional inspection tells you whether you actually have storm damage before you open a claim. If there's real damage, you'll go into the process with documentation. If there isn't, you won't file a claim unnecessarily. Once damage is confirmed, contact your insurer promptly.
Can I make repairs before the insurance adjuster comes?
Temporary repairs like tarping are appropriate and encouraged — they prevent further damage and the costs may be reimbursable. Permanent repairs should wait until the adjuster has inspected and you've agreed on the scope. Making permanent repairs too early can complicate or reduce your claim.
How long do I have to file a storm damage claim?
Most homeowners insurance policies require you to report damage promptly after a loss. The exact window varies by policy, but waiting weeks or months can give the insurer grounds to deny the claim. Contact your insurance company as soon as damage is confirmed.
How do I know if my roof has storm damage?
From the ground, look for missing, lifted, or curled shingles, dented gutters, granules washing out of downspouts, and debris in the yard. Inside, check ceilings and the attic for new stains or leaks. A professional inspection is the only way to know for sure — many types of storm damage aren't visible from the ground.
What is a storm chaser and how do I avoid one?
Storm chasers are out-of-town contractors who follow major storms looking for quick jobs. Red flags include out-of-state plates, door-to-door soliciting right after a storm, pressure to sign immediately, and large upfront deposits. Always verify a contractor's NC license, check for a local address and reviews, and never sign under pressure.
Does Roofing Solutions NC offer emergency tarping?
Yes. We offer emergency tarping to stop water intrusion until permanent repairs can be made. We photograph all damage before tarping to preserve your insurance documentation, and we provide itemized receipts. Reasonable emergency repair costs are often reimbursable by your insurer.
Had a Storm Come Through? Call Us First.
If a storm has hit your home — or you're not sure whether your roof made it through without damage — don't wait. Contact Roofing Solutions NC for a free, no-pressure storm damage inspection.