The storm just rolled through. You're standing in your living room and there's water dripping from the ceiling, or you walked outside and spotted shingles scattered across the yard. Now what? After dozens of emergency calls every spring and summer across Memphis, we've seen folks make the same costly mistakes over and over. Here's exactly what to do — in order — to protect your home and your insurance claim.

Step 1 — Document Everything Before You Touch Anything

Before you grab a tarp, before you call a contractor, before you call insurance — take photos. Lots of them. Inside, outside, from the ground, from the second-floor window. Get the date and time on every shot (most phones do this automatically). If shingles are in the yard, photograph them where they landed. Documentation is the single biggest factor in how well an insurance claim goes.

Step 2 — Stop Active Leaks Safely

If water is coming into your home, contain it. Buckets under drips, towels to absorb pooled water, plastic sheeting under valuables. Move electronics, paperwork, and anything that water can ruin. Do not climb on the roof yourself — wet shingles after a storm are extremely slick, and falls cause more injuries than the storm itself.

Step 3 — Call A Local Emergency Roofer

This is where you want a real local company, not the door-knocker who shows up an hour after the storm. Local crews can tarp the roof same-day, stop the water, and document the damage properly. We answer the phone 24/7 at (901) 244-7397 and respond fast across the Memphis metro.

Step 4 — File The Insurance Claim

Call your insurance company and start the claim. Be brief — just report that you have storm damage and need an adjuster. Don't speculate on cause or extent. Don't sign anything from any contractor before the adjuster has been out.

Step 5 — Meet The Adjuster With Your Roofer

This is the single most important step. When the insurance adjuster comes to assess the damage, you want your roofer there too. Adjusters are working for the insurance company — they're trained to scope claims conservatively. A roofer in your corner makes sure every item of damage gets documented and included. We do this for every customer with an active claim.

Step 6 — Get The Work Scoped And Scheduled

Once the claim is approved, your roofer files supplements if any damage was missed and schedules the work. Most Memphis roof replacements wrap in 1–2 days. You usually pay only your deductible.

A Few Warnings

Watch out for storm chasers — contractors who follow severe weather from state to state, knock doors, and pressure you to sign on the spot. Many disappear after taking deposits. Always hire local. Always check Google reviews. Always ask for a license and insurance.

And don't wait. Storm damage that goes unaddressed for weeks turns into mold, rot, and ceiling collapses. Insurance claims also have time limits — most policies require notification within a year of the event, and some require it sooner.