Hurricane Ian Roof Recovery Guide for Property Owners

By Cass Jacoby. 

What to do after the storm now that Hurricane Ian is here! 

Hurricane Ian is making landfall as we write this, but luckily RoofersCoffeeShop® is here to help you respond to the storm! We’ve gathered some resources for homeowners and those of us landlocked miles away reading about the storm on our smartphones. 

What to do if your property has been damaged 

It’s important to remain calm and set realistic expectations for what comes next — a long process of navigating insurance claims and hiring help. No matter how dire the situation may appear, know that you are going to get through this and that you are not alone. It is likely your entire community will need supplies, repair and insurance adjusters, so be patient and trust the process.  

If you’ve evacuated, do not go home until it’s deemed safe by the local authorities. That could be a few days after the storm. There are ways to check on your property in the first few days following the storm. Technology companies like EagleView, will capture aerial imagery immediately after the storm and will often offer the imagery at no cost on their website. This can help you expedite insurance claims faster as you’ll be able to give both yourself and your insurer an idea of the amount of damage.  

EagleView released the following statement relating to Hurricane Ian: 

EagleView is closely monitoring conditions with Hurricane Ian and we are standing by to help. We hope that all of those in impacted areas stay safe. Our aircraft will be in the air as soon as it is safe to do so and all new imagery and data for the impacted areas will be expedited. As contractors and insurers mobilize to help homeowners resolve claims and start rebuilding after the storm, EagleView will be staffed and ready to expedite the process with high-resolution aerial imagery and property data, including roof measurements. 

Check here for the latest information on EagleView’s post-storm imagery captures and disaster response for insurance carriers and adjusters. For the latest information on the path and landfall of Hurricane Ian, check here. 

Once you are able to return home, take these actions.  

Document everything 

Take photos of everything — the roof, the outside, inside, the flood line that shows how high the water went. By documenting the damage, noting the severity and taking photos, you are providing information that will be critical in the event you need to file a claim to help cover repairs. 

When assessing the damage your roof may have incurred after a storm, Owen’s Corning recommends looking at your shingles to see if any have been removed or torn. They also advise looking inside your home in the attic and ceilings for leaks and water spots. Storm Recovery Experts say that after a storm, it’s important to perform a visual inspection yourself for any visible damage to the shingles. However, they still advise you to get an inspection because there’s only so much you can see from the ground. A roofing professional can inspect your roof safely and is able to find problems you may have missed yourself. 

Hire a contractor 

After the storm has passed, have a contractor walk the perimeter of your home or building to assess the roof damage. The following are a few aspects that professional roofing contractors should have to assure customers they’re the right people for the job: 

• A permanent place of business 

• Knowledge of various roof systems 

• Proof of insurance and an effective safety program 

• A license and/or be bonded 

• Warranties 

• Evidence of industry professionalism, such as proof of training or certifications 

In Florida, roofing contractors are required to be licensed by the state. Please visit the Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association's member directory to find a reputable, licensed contractor and you can learn more here about how to be sure you are hiring smart. 

File an insurance report 

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Make sure you know your specific policy and what you are covered for. With material shortages and repair work backlogs building up for roofing contractors, you may need to consider a longer term, temporary protection solution like Stormseal, that heat shrinks to your home and won’t blow off like blue tarps. It lasts for up to a year or more and can keep your property watertight, protected from rain, wind, hail and future hurricanes. Be sure to visit their website to find a certified installer.  

I am not affected, but would like to help... 

In response to impacts from Hurricane Ian, Volunteer Florida has activated the Florida Disaster Fund. The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida's official private fund established to provide financial assistance to our communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with public, private and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities. 

Donations to the Florida Disaster Fund are made to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and are tax-deductible. To contribute, please visit FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222. 

Have a question? AskARoofer.   

Find your local roofing contractor in the RoofersCoffeeShop® Contractor Directory. 

About Cass  

Cass works as a reporter/writer for RoofersCoffeeShop, AskARoofer and MetalCoffeeShop. When she isn’t writing about roofs, she is putting her Master degree to work writing about movies and dancing with her plants.   

Photo credit: NPR