Free storm triage tool

Storm Damage Assessment

Answer ground-safe questions — with optional AI photo review — and get a safety-first urgency score, damage categories, and a same-day action plan in about 60 seconds.

Free · No signup · ~60 seconds

Safety check first

Clear

Before 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

Storm context

Storm type

Wind severity (NWS scale)

Hail size (NWS guide)

Occupancy

Roof age (years)

Average asphalt shingle life is 20–30 years. Older roofs are more vulnerable.

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Live urgency

5 flagged

Damage categories

None

Safety flags

Today's focus: Hazard control. Storm losses worsen when roof openings, broken glazing, and water intrusion are left exposed to the next rain event.

AI Photo Vision

Up to 8 ground-level photos · Analyzed by Claude vision in seconds

Walk around the property and capture photos from the ground. Get one wide shot per side and close-ups of any visible damage. Do not climb the roof. The AI will identify damage type, severity, and what to photograph next.

At least one wide shot
Coverage of multiple sides
Close-up of worst area
Interior shot under suspected damage

Photos are processed in memory and discarded immediately after the AI analysis. Nothing is stored on Palm Build's servers. Avoid faces, mail, or anything personally sensitive.

Full results

Your storm action plan

Emergency hazards present. Your next-step storm plan should focus on safety, openings, and fast documentation.

Urgency gauge

Emergency ACTIVE
Stop damage today
Inspect soon
Monitor

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 flagged

Roof covering likely compromised

high confidence

Missing shingles or tiles observed from ground.

Window or door opening risk

medium confidence

Water entering around frames creates an opening risk.

Wind-driven rain intrusion likely

medium confidence

New ceiling stain or discoloration suggests wind-driven rain intrusion. Water entry around frames contributes to interior moisture load.

Floodwater exposure likely

medium confidence

Standing water in garage.

Tree impact risk

medium confidence

Branches or limbs down near the property.

Same-day action plan

Four timeframes, ranked by what your answers say matters most right now — the order updates as your situation changes.

Today

Do 1st
  • 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

Do 2nd
  • 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.

First hour

Do 3rd
  • 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.

Before adjuster visit

Do 4th
  • 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.

Loading the Storm Coach…

Your claim-ready summary letter is included in the emailed report.

Export and share

Turn this result into a professional report

Download a polished PDF or email a branded copy to your PM, GM, partner, or internal approval chain.

Storm Damage Assessment Tool reports include findings, assumptions, next steps, and brand-ready formatting.

Built for professional planning use. We do not collect submitted data for marketing.

The Share button above copies a link with your exact answers — nothing is uploaded.

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How this calculates

Safety flags are deterministic rules mapped from CDC, NWS, and EPA guidance — they never depend on AI variability. The urgency score weights active water intrusion and structural openings most heavily.

What drives your urgency score

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.

Standards & sources (CDC · NWS · EPA · NAIC · FEMA)
CDC NWS EPA NAIC FEMA Safety-first triage, cited
  • Ground-safe homeowner observations only — no roof-climb theatrics.
  • Safety flags are deterministic from CDC, NWS, and EPA guidance, not AI guesses.
  • Storm triage before insurance math — stabilize first, estimate later.
  • Especially strong for Florida and coastal storm chaos.
  • "Unknown" is always an option — this tool is designed for uncertainty.
  • Not a professional inspection, not a coverage determination, not a repair estimate.
Assumptions, limits & your data

Photos are processed in memory and never stored. Wizard answers stay in your browser unless you choose to email the report or request a free expert review.

  • 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.

How does the AI photo analysis work?

You upload up to 8 ground-level photos of your property after the storm. Our Storm Coach AI (powered by Claude vision) reviews them and calls out visible damage, severity, and what to photograph next — without ever climbing on your roof. Findings adjust your urgency score and feed the action plan, but they never replace a professional inspection.

Does Palm Build store the photos I upload?

No. Photos are processed in memory by the AI and discarded immediately after the analysis returns. Nothing is saved to a database or storage bucket. The wizard answers and the resulting report are only saved locally in your browser unless you choose to email the report to yourself or request a free Palm Build expert review.

Can I get a real expert to look at this?

Yes — at the end of the assessment you can request a free 60-minute expert review from Palm Build. We are licensed restoration contractors in Florida, North Carolina, and surrounding states. We answer 24/7. Calling (888) 245-5155 also works any time.

More storm questions (2)

Is the claim letter in my report legal advice?

No. The claim letter included in your emailed report is a polite first-notice-of-loss draft you can edit and send to your insurance carrier. It is not legal advice, not a coverage determination, and not a substitute for talking to a public adjuster or attorney if your loss is significant.

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.

After-the-storm guidance

Storm safety directives (CDC · NWS)
  • Gas smell or chemical odor (CDC): leave immediately. Do not use light switches, phones, or anything that could spark. Call your gas utility or 911 from outside.
  • Downed power lines (NWS): stay at least 35 feet from downed lines and anything they touch. Assume all downed lines are energized.
  • Floodwater (CDC): do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwater. It may be electrically charged, contaminated with sewage, or hiding hazards.
  • Structural sounds (NWS): if the building is making shifting, popping, or cracking sounds, leave immediately and do not re-enter until cleared by a professional.
  • Wet electrical (CDC): do not touch electrical devices in wet areas. If water is near the electrical panel, do not enter the space.
Insurance after a storm: wind vs. flood, deductibles, receipts

Homeowners / property insurance covers wind, hail, and most storm damage — but generally not flood damage. Flood coverage is a separate policy (usually NFIP or private carriers); FEMA and FL OIR both emphasize this distinction, so flood losses need a separate claim.

In Florida and coastal states, hurricane deductibles are percentage-based (often 2–10% of dwelling coverage) and are triggered by named storms. Check your declarations page for the percentage and trigger conditions before assuming a dollar figure.

Photograph and document all damage before making temporary repairs, make only essential repairs to prevent further damage (NAIC guidance), and keep receipts for every tarp, board, and fan — insurers expect documentation. If you're displaced, keep receipts for additional living expenses too.

Water intrusion and utilities after a storm

EPA guidance: mold can begin growing on damp materials within 24–48 hours. If water entered the building, start drying as soon as it is safe — run fans and dehumidifiers continuously and monitor for musty odors, expanding stains, or soft drywall.

Avoid contact with standing water until it recedes and utilities are confirmed safe. Do not use electrical devices in areas that were flooded until a licensed electrician inspects them, and if water reached the electrical panel, stay out of that space entirely.

If you shut off utilities as a precaution, note the time and reason — it's useful for both the adjuster conversation and the restoration crew.

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Palm Build Restoration · Licensed FL & NC · 24/7 emergency line (888) 245-5155