What Highlands Homeowners Should Check After a Severe Storm

Severe storms across the Highlands plateau can move quickly and cover a lot of ground. When the weather clears, a careful, safety first check of your home helps you catch damage early, document what you find, and decide whether to call a roofer.

Here is what we recommend to homeowners in Highlands and the surrounding Western North Carolina mountains after a major storm.

First Rule: Stay Safe

Before anything else:

• Do not climb on the roof. Wet slopes, hidden damage, and steep mountain pitches are dangerous.
• Stay clear of downed power lines and anything they may be touching.
• Watch for compromised trees with cracked trunks or hanging limbs.
• Wait for daylight to make any exterior assessment.

Everything below can be done from the ground or the safety of the porch.

Walk the Property Perimeter

Start by walking around the outside of the house and look for:

• Shingle pieces or metal fragments on the ground
• Downed limbs on or near the roof
• Debris in gutters or lodged against downspouts
• Bent or displaced flashing at eaves and rakes
• Damaged fascia, soffit, or siding
• Movement or damage at chimney caps and vents

Take photos of anything unusual, with something in the frame for scale where possible.

Check the Roof From the Ground

Use a phone camera or binoculars to view each roof slope from the yard or a nearby elevated point. Look for:

• Missing, lifted, or torn shingles
• Bent or displaced metal panels
• Exposed underlayment where surface material has come off
• Ridge caps that appear out of alignment
• Dented or damaged skylights
• Debris accumulation in valleys

On multistory or steep roofs, drone photos taken by a professional are often the safest way to get a real view.

Inspect the Interior

Inside the home, check the following areas within 24 to 48 hours of the storm:

• Ceilings and upper walls for new stains, damp spots, or bubbling paint
• Around chimneys, skylights, and roof penetrations
• Attic spaces where safely accessible, looking for wet insulation or daylight where none should be
• Windows, door frames, and wall corners for signs of wind driven water

Even a small stain can be an early sign of a compromised roof.

Document Everything

Good documentation supports both a roofer's estimate and an insurance claim:

• Timestamped photos of exterior and interior damage
• Notes on when the storm occurred and when damage was first noticed
• Copies of any weather alerts or reports for the area
• Prior inspection reports if you have them

Keep everything in one place, either in a folder or a shared cloud drive.

When to Call a Roofer

Contact a local roofing contractor if you see any of the following:

• Visible missing or displaced shingles or panels
• Interior water stains that were not there before the storm
• Debris impact from limbs or wind blown objects
• Damage to flashing, skylights, or chimneys
• Compromised gutters or downspouts affecting drainage
• Any active leak

Even if the visible damage looks minor, a professional inspection often finds related issues that are not obvious from the ground.

Working With Insurance

If damage looks significant, notify your insurance carrier promptly. A reputable roofer will meet with the adjuster if requested and provide a written scope. Be cautious with any contractor who promises to handle everything through insurance before the roof has been evaluated.

Temporary Protection

For active leaks or open damage, ask the roofer about temporary weather protection while the full repair is scoped. This can prevent additional interior damage between the storm and the completed repair.

Local Storm Response in Highlands

Highlander Building Services responds to storm damage across Highlands, Cashiers, Franklin, and the surrounding Western North Carolina mountains. We prioritize safety, honest evaluation, and clear documentation. If your home was affected by a recent storm, request an inspection and we will walk the roof, document what we find, and help you decide the right next step.

You can also learn more about our roof repair work.