Storm Intelligence —
Real-Time Severe Weather Across
MN · SD · ND · WI · IA · MT · GA

A storm hitting your community is a clock-start event, not a wait-and-see situation. The first 72 hours set the foundation for your entire insurance claim. Here is the process that protects your community and your claim.

Hour 0–6: Walk all building exteriors immediately after the storm passes. Photograph every elevation, every soft metal surface (gutters, A/C units, cap flashing), and any visible shingle impact marks. Do not allow any cleanup or repairs yet — document first. Notify your insurance carrier to place them on notice. This is not filing a claim; it is preserving your right to file.

Hour 6–24: Contact a licensed commercial roofing contractor for an inspection appointment. An independent inspection report, dated within the storm window, is the single most important document in your claim file. The report should include NWS storm event correlation, hail size measurements (or wind speed), and photo documentation cross-referenced with the event data on this dashboard.

Hour 24–72: With inspection report in hand, formally file your claim. Request a commercial specialist adjuster — not a general property adjuster. Provide your inspection documentation package up front. This positions your board to negotiate from a factual baseline rather than waiting for the adjuster's unilateral assessment.

Managing multiple buildings means a single storm event can create 10, 20, or 30 simultaneous inspection needs. A repeatable process — not improvisation — is what protects your properties and your relationships with ownership groups.

Immediately after the storm: Walk all building exteriors for safety hazards before you do anything else. Note any visible damage to roofing, gutters, siding, and signage. Photograph everything from multiple angles — wide establishing shots and close-ups of damaged areas.

Within 6 hours: Notify the property owner or HOA board. Activate your emergency vendor list — you should have a roofing contractor, restoration company, and public adjuster (if applicable) on retainer or on a preferred vendor list. Place your insurance carrier on notice. This is not filing a claim; it is preserving your claim rights.

Within 24 hours: Engage a licensed commercial roofing contractor for a formal inspection. The inspection report is the cornerstone of your claim. It should be dated within the storm window, include NWS event data, and document each affected building individually.

Within 72 hours: Submit a formal claim with your documentation package. A well-prepared submission with an inspection report, NWS corroboration, and photographs dramatically accelerates adjuster response and reduces the chance of a denial.

Storm damage insurance claims are time-sensitive in ways most HOA boards and property managers underestimate. The clock starts at the storm event date — not when you discover the damage, and not when you call your contractor.

Notice of loss vs. formal claim: Most commercial policies require a formal "notice of loss" within 30–60 days of the storm event. This is a brief written notification that a storm occurred and your property was potentially affected — it does not require a completed inspection. Missing this window can void your claim entirely, even if the formal claim deadline is 24 months away.

How adjusters verify storm events: NWS and NOAA storm event records are the standard third-party corroboration source. Adjusters cross-reference your property coordinates against the documented storm track, hail size reports, and wind speed measurements. Properties within the documented storm track with physical damage consistent with the recorded magnitude are typically approved. Properties at the storm margin are where documentation quality makes the difference.

Damage thresholds by roof type: Asphalt shingles require ≥ 1.0 inch hail for most carrier approvals. Low-slope membranes (TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen) can document legitimate damage at smaller hail sizes, especially on aged systems. Wind claims typically require ≥ 60 mph documented wind speeds. This dashboard displays all NWS-recorded events with these parameters, enabling you to assess claim viability before inspection.