Storm Hit Your Home? Your Tennessee Damage Checklist

Key takeaway: A good storm damage checklist for homeowners starts with safety, then photos, then temporary repairs to stop more damage. Keep every receipt and gather your details before you call your insurer. What your policy pays depends on your coverage.

Storm Hit Your Home? Start Here

High winds, hail, a fallen tree, or heavy rain can turn a normal evening into an emergency. If you are standing in your living room looking at damage, take a breath. You do not have to figure it all out at once.

This storm damage checklist for homeowners walks you through what to do after a storm, in the right order. You will learn how to stay safe, document the damage, make temporary repairs, and prepare for your storm damage insurance claim. If you need storm damage restoration right away, our team is ready.

This article is general information only. It is not legal or insurance advice, and every policy is different.

Storm damage happening now? Call now for 24/7 emergency help at 931-416-5131.

Safety First After a Storm

Your safety matters more than your belongings. Before you look at any damage, check for these dangers.

Downed power lines: Stay far away. Treat every line as live, and call 911 and your utility company.
Gas smell: Leave the home right away. Call 911 from outside, and do not turn on lights or use a phone inside.
Unstable trees or roofs: Do not stand under damaged limbs or walk near sagging roof areas. Never climb on a damaged roof.
Standing water: Stay out of it if you can. It may hide electrical hazards or sharp debris.
Electrical hazards: If water reached outlets, panels, or appliances, do not touch them. Shut off power only if you can reach the breaker safely and stay dry.

Stay out of the home if you see structural damage, smell gas, or hear buzzing from wiring. Call 911 for injuries, fire, gas, or downed lines touching your home. The Ready.gov site has more safety guidance for after a storm.

Common Types of Storm Damage in Middle Tennessee Homes

Middle Tennessee gets strong storms, and they can hurt a home in different ways. Knowing what to look for helps you check your property.

Wind: Missing shingles, torn siding, broken fences, and roof damage after a storm.
Hail: Dented gutters, cracked shingles, broken skylights, and damaged windows.
Fallen trees: A tree fell on house roofs, garages, and porches, often causing holes and leaks.
Heavy rain and flooding: Water in crawl spaces, basements, and ceilings. This is where water damage restoration often becomes urgent.
Lightning: Electrical surges, damaged appliances, and sometimes fire. If fire or smoke is involved, read our guide to a smoke damage insurance claim.

Some damage is easy to see. Other damage hides in attics, walls, and under flooring.

Your Storm Damage Checklist for Homeowners: 10 Steps for the First 24 Hours

Work through these steps in order. Skip any that are not safe for you to do.

Get everyone to safety. Check on family members and pets, and call 911 for injuries.
Stay away from hazards. Avoid downed lines, gas odors, standing water, and unstable structures.
Call 911 if needed. Fire, gas, injuries, and live wires on or near your home are emergencies.
Look at the damage from the ground. Do not climb onto the roof. Use binoculars or your phone zoom.
Take photos and video. Capture everything before you move or clean anything.
Stop more damage if it is safe. Cover openings and stop water from coming in. Our 24/7 emergency restoration team can help when it is not safe to do it yourself.
Move valuables away from water. Lift items to dry areas, but do not throw out damaged belongings.
Write down the date and time. Note when the storm hit and when you first saw damage.
Gather your policy details. Find your policy number and your insurer’s claim phone number.
Call your insurer and a restoration company. Report the loss, then get help protecting your home.

Not sure what you are looking at? Call us for a damage assessment at 931-416-5131.

Licensed, insured and IICRC certified. Serving Columbia, Spring Hill, Franklin and nearby Middle Tennessee communities. See what our customers say.

How to Document Storm Damage

Clear records make your claim easier to explain. Start as soon as it is safe.

Photos: Take wide shots of each area, then close-ups of the damage.
Video: Walk through each room and describe what you see out loud.
Room by room notes: List damaged walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and electronics.
Dates: Record when the storm happened, when you found damage, and when you reported it.
Receipts: Save every receipt for repairs, supplies, and temporary housing.

Do not clean up or throw away damaged items until you have documented them. If something is unsafe or rotting, photograph it first.

Temporary Repairs You Can Make

Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage. Reasonable steps are simple and temporary, not major rebuilding.

Tarping a roof: Only do this from the ground or with a professional. Do not climb on a damaged roof.
Boarding windows: Cover broken glass with plywood or heavy plastic from inside when you can.
Stopping water from coming in: Place buckets, move furniture, and block openings where rain enters.

Water and wind driven rain can lead to mold and more damage if they sit too long. Acting quickly protects your home and your belongings.

Keep every receipt for materials and labor. Your insurer may ask for them, and they show you tried to limit the loss.

What to Have Ready Before You Call Your Insurance

A prepared call usually goes faster and feels less stressful. Gather these items first.

Your policy number
Photos and video of the damage
A list of damaged areas and items
The date and time of the storm
Your contact details and the best number to reach you

Ask your insurer what they need next and write down the name of the person you speak with. Water from a roof leak or flood is treated differently on many policies, so read our guide on water damage coverage in Tennessee. Always read your own policy and ask your insurer or agent what applies to you.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Storm Damage Claims

Waiting too long to report the loss
Throwing away damaged items before taking photos
Making large permanent repairs before your insurer reviews the damage
Skipping temporary repairs and letting rain keep coming in
Losing receipts for emergency work
Signing a contract before you understand it
Guessing about coverage instead of asking your insurer

Most of these are easy to avoid when you slow down and keep good notes.

How to Avoid Storm Chaser and Scam Contractors

After a big storm, out-of-town crews often show up in neighborhoods. Some are honest. Others are not. Watch for these warning signs.

Door to door offers: Be careful with anyone who knocks first and offers to start today.
Large upfront payments: Be wary of big deposits, especially cash requests.
Blank contracts: Never sign a contract with missing prices, dates, or scope of work.
Pressure to sign right away: A real contractor gives you time to think.

To check a contractor, ask for a license number, proof of insurance, local references, and a written estimate. Then verify the license with the state. The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance offers consumer information and a place to file complaints about contractors or insurance.

AMC Restoration is licensed, insured and IICRC certified, and we are happy to answer questions about our credentials. Business owners can also learn about commercial storm damage restoration.

When to Call a Professional Restoration Company

Call a restoration company when water is coming in, when a tree has hit your home, or when you cannot safely protect the property yourself. Storm damage repair goes better when drying and protection start early.

A restoration company helps with emergency protection, water removal, drying, and documentation. We can board up openings, remove water, dry affected areas, and record the work we do.

We are not an insurance adjuster. We do not decide what your policy covers. Your insurer makes coverage decisions.

We serve homeowners across Middle Tennessee, including Lewisburg, Mt Pleasant, Summertown, and Nolensville. Here are a few local pages:

For storm preparedness tips and local alerts, visit the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I call my insurance or a restoration company first?

You can do both quickly. Make sure everyone is safe, take photos, and report the loss to your insurer. Then call a restoration company to protect your home from further damage.

How long do I have to file a storm damage claim?

The deadline depends on your policy and your insurer. Many policies require prompt notice, so report the damage as soon as you can and check your policy for exact timing.

Does homeowners insurance cover wind and hail damage?

Often, yes, but it depends on your policy. Some policies have separate deductibles or limits for wind and hail, so ask your insurer how yours works.

Can I make temporary repairs before the adjuster comes?

Yes, reasonable temporary repairs are usually expected. Tarp, board up, and stop water from coming in, then take photos first and keep every receipt.

What should I do if a tree falls on my house?

Get everyone out and stay away from the tree if the structure looks unstable. Call 911 for injuries or hazards, take photos from a safe distance, and do not climb on the roof. Then call your insurer and a restoration company.

Get Help After Storm Damage Today

A storm damage checklist for homeowners helps you stay calm and make smart choices when everything feels urgent. Stay safe, document the damage, protect your home, and gather your details before you call your insurer.

When you are ready for help, call AMC Restoration at 931-416-5131. We answer around the clock, and we are licensed, insured and IICRC certified.

Get help now or see the areas we serve.

Storm Damage Checklist: What to Do Before Calling Your Insurance