STORM SEASON IN THE OZARKS: EMERGENCY ROOF REPAIR CHECKLIST

The First 48 Hours Matter

Every spring, the Ozarks corridor between Lebanon and Waynesville gets hit by severe thunderstorms. Straight-line winds exceeding 70 mph and quarter-sized hail are not unusual. When your roof takes a hit, the clock starts immediately. Water intrusion in the first 48 hours can cause more damage than the storm itself.

Here is the checklist we give every homeowner who calls us after a storm event.

1. Document Everything Before You Touch Anything

Walk the perimeter of your home and photograph every piece of damage you can see from ground level. Shingles on the lawn, dented gutters, cracked siding, broken windows. Use your phone camera and take more photos than you think you need. Timestamp matters for insurance claims.

Do not climb onto the roof yourself. Wet decking and loose shingles are a fall hazard. If you can safely access an attic space, look for daylight coming through the roof deck and photograph any water stains on the underside of the sheathing.

2. Prevent Further Water Damage

If you have an active leak, place buckets or bins under the drip points. If you have access to tarps and can safely reach the affected area from a ladder, a weighted tarp over the damaged section is the best temporary measure. Do not nail tarps directly to the roof — use sandbags or weighted lumber to hold them in place.

Call a contractor to install a professional tarp if the damage is extensive or on a steep slope. Most reputable roofers in the Lebanon area will do emergency tarping within 24 hours during storm season.

3. File Your Insurance Claim Immediately

Call your homeowner's insurance company the same day. Do not wait to get a contractor estimate first. Your policy requires "prompt notice" of damage, and waiting even a few days can complicate the claim.

When you call, have your policy number ready. Describe the damage in factual terms: "Shingles missing from the south slope, gutter detached on the west elevation, water coming through the ceiling in the master bedroom." Do not guess at dollar amounts.

4. Get a Licensed Contractor Assessment

Before the insurance adjuster visits, have a licensed roofing contractor inspect the damage and prepare their own scope of work. A good contractor will document damage the adjuster might miss — especially hail impact marks on shingles that are not visible from the ground.

Be cautious of storm chasers. After every major storm in the Ozarks, out-of-state roofing crews show up door-to-door. They are often unlicensed in Missouri, carry minimal insurance, and will not be around in two years when a warranty issue surfaces. Ask for a Missouri contractor license number and proof of liability insurance before signing anything.

5. Understand Your Coverage

Most homeowner policies in Missouri cover wind and hail damage under the dwelling coverage section. Your out-of-pocket cost is typically your deductible. Some policies written in the last few years include a separate "wind/hail deductible" that may be higher than your standard deductible — check your declarations page.

Your contractor should be willing to work within the insurance scope. If the adjuster and contractor disagree on the extent of damage, a supplement can be filed. This is normal and happens on roughly a third of the storm claims we handle.

Keep This List Somewhere Accessible

Print this out and keep it with your insurance documents. When a storm hits at 2 AM, you do not want to be searching the internet for what to do next. Preparation makes the difference between a stressful month and a manageable one.