Pre-inspection triage
Storm Damage Assessment
Get safety flags, probable damage categories, a clear action plan, and an insurance-ready checklist after storms — without trying to turn a homeowner into a roofing adjuster.
Same-day triage, not a roof inspection
Safety flags, damage categories, and a plan you can act on.
Safety check first
ClearBefore assessing property damage, confirm there are no life-safety hazards. Answer each question honestly — selecting "Yes" will trigger safety guidance before you proceed.
Gas smell or chemical odor
Downed or damaged power lines nearby
Floodwater near or against the building
Shifting, popping, or cracking sounds
Wet outlets, sparking, or electrical concerns
Live urgency preview
Emergency hazards present
Hazard control
Urgency gauge
Emergency hazards present. Your next-step storm plan should focus on safety, openings, and fast documentation.
Mold prevention window
EPA guidance: inability to dry within 24–48 hours implies likely mold growth. Prioritize drying as soon as it is safe to do so.
Damage categories
5 flaggedRoof covering likely compromised
high confidenceMissing shingles or tiles observed from ground.
Window or door opening risk
medium confidenceWater entering around frames creates an opening risk.
Wind-driven rain intrusion likely
medium confidenceNew ceiling stain or discoloration suggests wind-driven rain intrusion. Water entry around frames contributes to interior moisture load.
Floodwater exposure likely
medium confidenceStanding water in garage.
Tree impact risk
medium confidenceBranches or limbs down near the property.
Same-day action plan
Four timeframes to help you prioritize from the first hour through adjuster visit.
First hour
- Confirm life-safety issues first: gas smell, downed power lines, wet electrical, structural instability.
- Do not climb on the roof. Ground-level photos are enough for the first triage pass.
- Identify active openings (broken windows, missing roof sections) and current water entry so temporary protection can be prioritized.
Today
- Photograph the roofline, gutters, windows, siding, ceiling stains, and any downed tree impact — from the ground.
- Apply temporary covers (tarps, board-up) to stop water intrusion through openings. Keep receipts.
- Start water removal and drying immediately. EPA: mold can begin within 24–48 hours on damp surfaces.
- Document temporary mitigation steps, materials used, and time spent. Insurers expect receipts.
- Contact your insurer to report the loss and note the claim number.
Next 48 hours
- Continue aggressive drying if water entered the building. Run dehumidifiers and fans continuously when safe.
- Monitor for musty odors, expanding stains, or soft drywall — signs that hidden moisture is progressing.
- Begin consolidating a damage inventory: room-by-room notes, photos, and approximate counts of affected items.
- If displaced, document additional living expenses (hotel, meals, essentials) with receipts.
Before adjuster visit
- Consolidate all photos, temporary repair receipts, and the timeline of events into one folder or document.
- Note the date of loss, approximate time the storm hit, and any emergency actions taken.
- Keep damaged materials in place when safely possible — adjusters need to document them.
- Prepare questions: coverage limits, deductible amount, timeline for adjuster visit, temporary repair authorization.
- Use this report as your starting reference for the adjuster conversation.
Ground-safe inspection checklist
Safe to do
- Walk around the exterior and photograph from the ground — all four sides plus the roofline.
- Check gutters and downspouts for granule buildup, dents, or detachment.
- Document ceiling stains, wall discoloration, and any wet areas with time-stamped photos.
- Note any active dripping, musty odors, or soft/spongy drywall.
- Check windows and doors for cracks, broken seals, and water entry marks.
- If safe, check the attic from the access hatch (do not walk on a compromised attic floor).
Do not do
- Do not climb on the roof. NRCA advises homeowners to use caution and avoid DIY roof access.
- Do not attempt electrical work with wet conditions or standing water present.
- Do not remove large debris from power lines or the structure without professional help.
- Do not discard damaged materials before your adjuster has documented them.
Insurance prep notes
- Photograph and document all damage before making temporary repairs. Keep all receipts.
- Make only essential temporary repairs to prevent further damage — NAIC guidance supports this as standard.
- Contact your insurer to report the loss as soon as practical. Note the date of loss.
- Flood damage is generally not covered by standard homeowners insurance (FEMA, FL OIR). If you have separate flood insurance, file a separate claim.
- Florida hurricane deductibles are percentage-based and can be significant. Check your declarations page for the specific percentage and what triggers it.
Storm Narrative & Adjuster Notes
Describe what happened and what you're seeing. The AI will combine your notes with the assessment data to draft a narrative you can share with family, your property manager, or an insurance adjuster.
Not a professional inspection report. Not a coverage determination. Educational triage only.
How scoring works
Storm triage is most useful when it reduces chaos: safety first, then openings, then documentation, then inspection.
This tool keeps roof, glazing, tree, flood, and utility consequences in one flow so the homeowner does not have to translate technical categories under stress.
Safety flags use deterministic rules mapped from CDC, NWS, and EPA guidance — they do not depend on AI variability.
Urgency scoring weights active water intrusion and structural openings most heavily because they drive secondary damage fastest.
Sources: CDC post-storm safety, NWS severe weather guidance, EPA mold prevention, NAIC claims documentation, FEMA flood insurance, FL DFS hurricane resources, NRCA roof inspection caution, IBHS hail damage research.
Export and share
Turn this result into a professional report
Download a premium PDF or email a polished copy to yourself, a spouse, landlord, property manager, insurer, or adjuster.
Trust layer
Use this tool risk-free
We do not collect your submitted data for marketing. This tool is built for personal planning use by Palm Build and Nine Lives Development.
Provided by Palm Build (palmbld.com) · Built by Nine Lives Development (ninelives.dev)
This report is a same-day storm triage tool, not a professional roof, structural, or electrical inspection.
If you smell gas, see downed power lines, or suspect building instability, stop and use emergency guidance immediately.
Flood damage is generally not covered by standard homeowners insurance. Flood coverage is separate (FEMA, FL OIR).
Sources: CDC post-storm safety, NWS severe weather, EPA mold prevention, NAIC claims guidance, FEMA flood insurance, NRCA roof caution, IBHS hail research, FL DFS hurricane resources.
Common questions
Does this replace a roof inspection?
No. It is a same-day triage and planning tool that helps you document symptoms and prioritize next steps before a professional inspection.
Why is storm triage different from the insurance estimator?
Because the first job after a storm is safety and stabilization. Claims decisions come after you understand hazards, openings, and active water entry.
What should I do if I smell gas or see downed power lines?
Leave the area immediately. Do not use phones, light switches, or anything that could create a spark. Call 911 or your utility company from a safe location. CDC and NWS both emphasize this.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?
Generally no. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy, usually through NFIP or private carriers. FEMA and FL OIR both emphasize this distinction.
What is a hurricane deductible?
In Florida and coastal states, hurricane deductibles are percentage-based (often 2–10% of the dwelling coverage) and are triggered by named storms. Check your declarations page for your specific percentage and trigger conditions.
Can I export and share this report?
Yes. Every Palm Build tool is designed to produce a polished PDF and an email-friendly summary so you can share it with a spouse, landlord, property manager, insurer, or adjuster.
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