Summer brings backyard barbecues, vacations, and long evenings outside—but it also brings some of the year’s most powerful storms.
Heavy rain, strong winds, hail, lightning, and even tornadoes can develop quickly, often leaving homeowners with damaged roofs, flooded basements, fallen trees, and expensive repairs.
The good news? A little preparation can go a long way toward protecting your home, your family, and your finances.
Here’s what every homeowner should know before, during, and after a summer storm.
Before the Storm: Take Steps to Prevent Damage
The best time to prepare for a storm is before one is in the forecast.
Inspect Your Roof
Loose or missing shingles are one of the most common causes of storm damage. If your roof is aging or has visible wear, schedule an inspection before severe weather arrives.
Clean Your Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause rainwater to back up under your roof or pool around your home’s foundation.
Keeping gutters and downspouts clear allows water to flow away from your home properly.
Trim Trees and Remove Dead Branches
Strong summer winds can easily bring down weak limbs.
Trim branches that hang over your home, vehicles, or power lines, and remove dead or damaged trees whenever possible.
Secure Outdoor Items
Patio furniture, umbrellas, grills, trampolines, and decorations can become dangerous projectiles in high winds.
When storms are expected, move lightweight items indoors or securely anchor them.
Build a Home Inventory Before You Need It
One of the most overlooked parts of storm preparedness is creating a home inventory.
Take a few minutes each year to walk through your home with your smartphone and record:
- Furniture
- Electronics
- Appliances
- Jewelry
- Collectibles
- Tools
- Sporting equipment
Save the videos and photos to cloud storage so they’re available even if your home is damaged.
If you ever need to file a claim, you’ll be glad you have them.
Review Your Insurance Coverage
Many homeowners assume they’re fully covered until they experience a claim.
Now is a great time to review your homeowners insurance and ask questions like:
- Is my dwelling coverage enough to rebuild my home today?
- Do I have enough coverage for personal belongings?
- Do I have a separate deductible for wind or hail?
- Should I consider sewer backup or flood insurance?
At The Agent, we believe it’s always better to answer these questions before a storm—not afterward.
During the Storm: Stay Safe
Your first priority should always be the safety of you and your family.
If severe weather is approaching:
- Stay indoors and away from windows.
- Charge your phones and keep flashlights handy.
- Avoid using electrical appliances during lightning storms.
- If local officials issue warnings or evacuation orders, follow them immediately.
- Never drive through flooded roadways. Just a few inches of moving water can sweep away a vehicle.
Remember, property can be repaired or replaced. People cannot.
After the Storm: What to Do Next
Once it’s safe to go outside, carefully inspect your property.
Document Any Damage
Take photos and videos before cleaning up or making repairs.
Capture:
- Roof damage
- Broken windows
- Fallen trees
- Damaged siding
- Water intrusion
- Damaged personal belongings
Good documentation can make the claims process much smoother.
Prevent Additional Damage
- Covering a damaged roof with a tarp
- Boarding broken windows
- Removing standing water if it can be done safely
Keep receipts for any emergency repairs or supplies.
Be Careful of “Storm Chasers”
After major storms, contractors often travel into affected neighborhoods offering immediate repairs.
While many contractors are reputable, others may:
- Pressure you to sign contracts immediately
- Ask for large upfront payments
- Promise to “waive your deductible”
- Offer to handle your insurance claim for you
- Perform poor-quality work before disappearing
Always:
- Check references and reviews.
- Verify licensing and insurance.
- Get multiple estimates.
- Read every contract before signing.
If something feels too good to be true, it probably is. Learn more about what you need to watch out for, here.
You can check out a list of contractors we personally recommend here.
Call Your Insurance Agent First
If you believe you have storm damage, one of the smartest first calls you can make is to your insurance agent.
We can help you:
- Determine whether filing a claim makes sense.
- Explain what your policy covers.
- Walk you through the claims process.
- Answer questions before you make important decisions.
We’re here to be your advocate—not just when you buy your policy, but when you need it most.
FEMA Assistance
FEMA assistance is only available after the President issues a federal disaster declaration for your area.
Not every storm receives this designation. State and local officials must first assess the damage before requesting federal assistance.
If a disaster declaration is approved, you may be able to file for FEMA assistance. Here’s how to do that.
The Bottom Line: Summer Storm Readiness
You can’t stop summer storms from happening, but you can reduce the damage they cause by planning ahead.
A few simple maintenance tasks, an understanding of your insurance coverage, and knowing what to do after a storm can make a difficult situation much easier to manage.
At The Agent Insurance Services, we’re committed to helping our clients prepare before disaster strikes—not just helping them recover afterward.
If you’d like to review your homeowners insurance or have questions about your coverage before the next storm rolls through, our team is always happy to help. You can request that review here.