What to do after a hail storm in Oklahoma

What to do after a hail storm in Oklahoma: start from the ground

When the storm has passed and it is safe to go outside, walk the property and look up from the ground. Do not climb onto the roof to inspect it. Wet, hail-covered or wind-damaged roofs are slippery, and damaged materials can shift underfoot.

From a safe spot in the yard or driveway, note anything that has clearly changed: missing or lifted shingles, shingle pieces in the yard, bent or detached gutters, dented downspouts, torn window screens, damaged siding, or branches and debris on the roof. Take photos with the date visible on your phone. These notes help when you contact the team about your concerns.

A quick ground-level checklist

None of these signs proves the roof needs a specific repair, but each is worth mentioning when you arrange an inspection.

• Missing, creased or lifted shingles, or granules collecting at downspout outlets
• Dents or splits in gutters, downspouts, vents and metal trim
• Cracked, chipped or loose siding and damaged window screens
• Fallen limbs on or against the roof, and debris in valleys
• New ceiling stains, drips or damp spots inside the home
• Damage to fences, sheds or outbuildings that suggests how strong the storm was

Arrange a professional roof inspection

A professional inspection can help identify visible roof and exterior damage and document what was found. When you call, tell the team when the storm happened and what changes you have noticed since. If you already have photos, share them.

RedZone offers free roof inspections through our Norman office, which serves Norman, Moore, Oklahoma City, Edmond, Mustang, Yukon, Midwest City and surrounding communities. Every RedZone job has a dedicated project manager from inspection to final walkthrough, so you have one point of contact as questions come up.

Keep observations separate from conclusions

A photo of a mark on a shingle or a missing tab is useful documentation, but by itself it does not establish the full extent or the cause of the damage. Ask the inspector to explain what they observed, which areas they could access and whether anything needs further evaluation.

If water enters the home, record the date you first noticed the leak and where it appeared. Protect your belongings when it is safe to do so: move furniture, set out a container and photograph the stain. Those details help connect what is happening inside to what the inspector finds outside. Our guide to what a roof inspection should explain lists questions worth asking.

It also helps to keep a simple storm log. Write down the date and approximate time of the storm, what you saw and heard (hail size compared with a familiar object, sustained wind, falling limbs), and every follow-up call you make. A running list is easier to share with your contractor and insurer than scattered notes and screenshots.

If you are filing an insurance claim

If an insurance claim is involved, contact your insurer about its process, deadlines and requirements. Your insurer decides coverage and claim outcomes under your policy. RedZone is a roofing contractor, not a public adjuster, and does not negotiate claims on your behalf.

What RedZone can do is document the damage with photos, provide construction documentation for your claim and be present when the adjuster inspects the roof, so the person who looked at your roof can walk through what they found. Learn more on our storm and insurance restoration page.

Make the scope clear before work starts

Before any work is scheduled, ask for a written scope that identifies the affected roof and exterior components, the proposed materials and how cleanup will be handled. RedZone's cleanup includes property protection, debris collection, a magnet sweep of accessible areas and a project manager quality check.

If you are using insurance, compare the construction estimate with your insurer's documents and talk through any differences before work begins. Ask which items are repairs, which are replacements and which components, such as gutters or siding, are part of the plan. If the discussion turns to a full replacement, our repair or replacement guide covers what to compare.

Wind damage deserves the same care as hail. High wind can lift shingles and break the seal between courses without tearing them off, which can be hard to see from the ground. If you noticed shingles flapping, debris on the roof or a new draft or leak after a wind event, mention it so the inspection covers the edges, ridges and other areas wind tends to affect.

Your next steps after the storm