Texas Storm Season: Your After-the-Storm Roof Checklist

North Texas severe weather season runs roughly March through June, with a secondary season in the fall. The hours after a major storm are when smart homeowners protect both their house and their insurance claim.

The first 24 hours

Check your attic with a flashlight for daylight, damp insulation, or active drips. Walk the interior looking for fresh ceiling stains or bubbling paint. From the ground, scan the roof for missing shingles, displaced ridge caps, and debris. Photograph everything — date-stamped photos are the backbone of a smooth claim. If water is actively entering, call for emergency tarping immediately; your policy requires you to mitigate further damage.

The next 72 hours

Schedule a professional roof inspection — after any storm with 1-inch-plus hail or 60+ mph winds, it is worth the hour. Review your policy for your deductible and claim deadline. If you file, your carrier will send an adjuster; having your own contractor’s documentation first means you can compare scopes instead of accepting a lowball.

Dealing with the door-knockers

Within days of a big storm, out-of-state crews blanket Dallas neighborhoods. Some are legitimate; many are not. Never sign anything at the door, never hand over your insurance paperwork, and verify any contractor has a local address, real references, and liability insurance. A good local roofer will still be answering the phone in two years when your warranty matters.

Prepare before the season, not after

The best storm checklist is the one you complete in February: trim overhanging limbs, clean gutters, replace any cracked pipe boots, and photograph your roof while it is intact. Pre-storm photos are gold during a disputed claim.