What DFW Homeowners Should Do Within 48 Hours of a Hailstorm

When hail hits the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, it hits hard. Texas leads the nation in hail events — NOAA's Storm Events Database recorded 878 significant hail events in the state in 2024 alone, with DFW consistently among the hardest-hit metro areas. What you do in the first 48 hours after a storm determines whether you catch damage early, file a clean insurance claim, and avoid the costly mistakes that turn a manageable repair into a major headache.

This is a step-by-step guide for DFW homeowners — organized by when to do each thing.

Immediately After the Storm (First 2 Hours)

1. Confirm It's Safe to Go Outside

Wait until the storm has fully passed. Check the National Weather Service Fort Worth forecast office for active warnings in your area. Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings can overlap with hail events in DFW, especially during March through May. Don't go outside during lightning or active warnings.

2. Do a Quick Walkthrough of Your Property

You do not need to climb on the roof. Stay on the ground and walk the perimeter of your home. You're looking for visible signs that your property took impacts:

• Gutters and downspouts — dents in metal gutters are the easiest ground-level indicator of significant hail. Also check for heavy granule deposits in the gutter troughs.
• Siding and window screens — dents, chips, or cracks on the storm-facing side of the house.
• A/C unit and outdoor equipment — dented condenser fins or casing confirms the hailstone size was large enough to damage roofing material.
• Vehicles — if your car has dents, the hail was large enough to damage your roof.
• Fence and deck — impact marks on wood or vinyl fencing are another size indicator.

If you see damage on any of these surfaces, your roof almost certainly took impacts too. (Our full guide on identifying hail damage on your roof →)

3. Document Everything

This is the most important step most homeowners skip — or do too late. Before anyone touches your property, document the damage:

• Wide shots of each side of the house, the yard, and any outbuildings.
• Close-ups of dented gutters, damaged siding, cracked window screens, and impacted outdoor equipment.
• Granules in gutters — photograph the accumulation.
• Hailstones — if any are still on the ground, photograph them next to a coin or ruler for size reference.
• Interior — check ceilings and walls near the roofline for water stains, and photograph anything you find.

Use your phone's timestamp feature. Insurance adjusters rely heavily on photographic evidence, and time-stamped photos tied to the storm date strengthen your claim. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) recommends thorough documentation before any repair work begins.

Hours 2–12: Start the Claim and Prevent Further Damage

4. Call Your Insurance Company

File your claim the same day if possible. When you call:

• Provide the date and time of the storm.
• Describe the damage you observed (use your photos as notes).
• Ask about your wind/hail deductible — in Texas, this is often a percentage of your home's insured value (typically 1–2%), not a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 home with a 2% hail deductible, you're responsible for the first $8,000.
• Ask about the claim filing deadline. Most Texas policies require you to report within a specific window.
• Request a claim number and the name of your assigned adjuster.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), filing promptly after a catastrophic event protects your rights and ensures your claim is processed before the backlog grows. After a major DFW hailstorm, adjusters get overwhelmed quickly — filing early gets you earlier in the queue.

5. Make Emergency Repairs Only (and Document Them)

If hail broke a window, cracked a skylight, or opened a visible hole, you're responsible for preventing further damage. Your insurance policy likely includes a "duty to mitigate" clause.

• Tarp exposed areas to prevent water intrusion.
• Board up broken windows if needed.
• Photograph the damage before covering it.
• Keep all receipts for tarps, plywood, or emergency supplies — these are typically reimbursable under your policy.

Do not begin permanent repairs until your insurance adjuster has inspected the property. Repairing before the adjuster visit is the most common reason homeowners get underpaid on claims.

6. Check Your Attic

If your home has an accessible attic, inspect it with a flashlight:

• Look for daylight coming through the roof deck.
• Check for wet spots on insulation or the underside of decking.
• Look for water stains that weren't there before the storm.

This is especially important in DFW homes built before 2000, where underlayment may be a single layer of felt rather than modern synthetic products. Older underlayment is more vulnerable to water penetration from hail-compromised shingles.

Hours 12–48: Get Professional Eyes on Your Roof

7. Schedule an Independent Roof Inspection

Don't wait for the insurance adjuster. Schedule a separate inspection with a licensed roofing contractor. Most reputable roofers in DFW offer free storm damage inspections.

Why both inspections matter:

• The adjuster works for your insurance company. Their job is to assess the claim from the insurer's perspective.
• A licensed contractor assesses the full scope of damage and can identify issues the adjuster may miss — especially on complex roof systems or when damage is subtle.
• If the contractor's scope exceeds the adjuster's estimate, they can file a supplement — a formal request for additional coverage. This is standard practice and is how most legitimate roofing claims reach fair value.

When choosing a contractor, verify their Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) registration, general liability insurance, and workers' compensation coverage. (Our full guide on choosing a roofing contractor after storm damage →)

8. Watch Out for Storm Chasers

Within hours of a major DFW hailstorm, out-of-area contractors will be knocking on doors throughout affected neighborhoods — Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Arlington, Keller, Southlake, and everywhere in between. Many are legitimate, but many are not.

FEMA consistently warns about contractor fraud following natural disasters. Red flags include:

• Requesting large upfront deposits before any work begins.
• Pressuring you to sign a contract before the adjuster visits.
• Offering to waive your insurance deductible — this is illegal in Texas. TDI explicitly warns that waiving deductibles is insurance fraud.
• No local office, no Texas TDLR registration, no verifiable references.
• Claiming they need to "get started today" or you'll miss your window.

You have time. Insurance claim filing deadlines are measured in months, not hours. Any contractor who creates false urgency is prioritizing their schedule, not your interests.

9. Review Your Policy Before the Adjuster Arrives

Before the adjuster inspects your home, know what your policy covers:

• Replacement Cost Value (RCV) vs. Actual Cash Value (ACV). RCV policies pay to replace your roof at current prices. ACV policies deduct depreciation — meaning an older roof gets a lower payout even if the damage is total. Most modern Texas homeowners policies are RCV, but verify yours.
• Your wind/hail deductible. Know the exact number so you can assess whether filing is worth it for smaller amounts of damage.
• Code upgrade coverage. If your roof was built under older building codes and must be brought to current code during replacement, some policies cover the difference. Check whether yours does.

The 48-Hour Checklist (Summary)

Here's the full checklist in order:

1. Wait for the storm to pass — confirm safety.
2. Walk the property perimeter and note damage indicators (ground level only).
3. Photograph and video all damage — exterior, interior, surrounding property.
4. Call your insurance company and file a claim.
5. Make emergency-only repairs (tarp, board up) — photograph first, save receipts.
6. Inspect the attic for signs of water infiltration.
7. Schedule an independent roof inspection with a licensed local contractor.
8. Do not sign any contracts until the adjuster has inspected.
9. Review your policy terms — deductible, RCV vs. ACV, code upgrade coverage.

Need a licensed roofer in DFW after a hailstorm? Get matched with a qualified local contractor for a free inspection →

DFW-Specific Resources

If you're dealing with hail damage in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, these resources can help:

• NWS Fort Worth — storm reports, warnings, and post-event summaries for North Texas.
• Texas Department of Insurance — Storm Resources — filing guidance, contractor fraud warnings, and your rights as a Texas policyholder.
• TDLR Contractor Lookup — verify a contractor's Texas registration before signing anything.

Find roofing contractors in your area: Dallas · Fort Worth · Plano · Arlington · McKinney · Frisco · or get matched in your area.

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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional roofing, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a licensed roofing contractor and your insurance provider for guidance specific to your property and policy.