There’s a specific kind of dread that sets in when the storm finally passes and you step outside to see what’s left.

Maybe it’s a section of roof shingles scattered across your lawn. Maybe it’s a window blown in, water pooling in your living room, or a tree limb sitting where your carport used to be. Whatever you’re looking at right now — I want you to take a breath. You can get through this. But the next 24 hours really matter, and knowing what to do (and what not to do) can save you thousands of dollars and a whole lot of heartache later.

Mississippi weather doesn’t mess around. Oxford sits right in the crosshairs of tornado season, severe thunderstorms, and the kind of wind-driven rain that finds every weak spot in a home’s exterior. If you’ve just come through one of those storms, here’s exactly what to do — in the right order.

First Things First: Is It Actually Safe to Go Back Inside?

Seriously. Before you grab your phone to start taking photos, stop and assess whether the structure is safe.

Look up. Is your roof visibly sagging? Are there areas that look like they’re about to give way? Walk around the perimeter first — don’t just charge through the front door. If a tree has fallen against the house, or if you can see daylight through walls that shouldn’t have daylight, treat that as a structural red flag.

Also — and this is non-negotiable — check for gas smells. If you detect anything, don’t go in. Call your gas company from the street and wait. Same goes for downed power lines near or touching your home. Call Mississippi Power or your local utility before you do anything else.

Only once you’re reasonably confident it’s safe to enter should you move on to the next steps.

Document Everything. And Then Document More.

Here’s the thing most homeowners skip in the chaos of the moment: thorough documentation is the single most important thing you can do for your insurance claim.

Pull out your phone and record a video as you walk through — narrate what you’re seeing. Then go back and take photos. Lots of them. Wide shots showing the overall damage, close-ups of specific problem areas, photos of the ground with debris, interior rooms, ceilings, floors. If water got in, photograph the water lines, the wet drywall, the soaked insulation you can see.

Don’t move or clean up anything major yet. I know it’s hard to leave a mess sitting there, but your adjuster needs to see it as it was. Moving things around — even with good intentions — can muddy the claim.

Pro tip: Note the date and time on your photos automatically by checking your phone’s settings, or just text a few images to yourself so there’s a timestamp in your message history. Little things like that matter when you’re talking to an adjuster weeks later.

Call Your Insurance Company — Today, Not Tomorrow

A lot of homeowners wait. They think they need to get estimates first, or they’re not sure if the damage is “bad enough” to file a claim. Don’t wait.

Call your insurer as soon as you’ve documented the damage and you’re safe. Most policies have clauses about prompt reporting, and some insurers will actually use delayed reporting against you if secondary damage develops (like mold from water that sat too long). Getting that claim number is how the clock starts in your favor.

When you call, have this ready: your policy number, a description of what happened, the date and time of the storm, and a summary of what’s damaged. Be clear and factual. You don’t need to have all the answers — you just need to start the process.

They’ll typically send an adjuster out within a few days, sometimes sooner for major storm events. In the meantime, your job is to prevent further damage — which brings us to the next step.

Make Emergency Repairs to Prevent More Damage

Here’s where a lot of people feel stuck. They don’t want to “mess up” their claim by doing repairs before the adjuster comes. Understandable — but here’s the truth: your insurance company actually expects you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage. Doing nothing can work against you.

Tarp over any exposed roof sections. Board up broken windows. If there’s a tree limb on your roof, get a professional out to assess it safely (don’t try to chainsaw it yourself while standing on a wet roof — please). Move furniture and valuables away from water-damaged areas. Place buckets under active leaks and mop up what you can.

Keep all your receipts. Every tarp, every piece of plywood, every contractor invoice — save it. Emergency protective measures are often reimbursable under your policy, but only if you have documentation.

If you need help fast, Tekton Exteriors is local to the area and handles storm damage repairs — they can get eyes on your roof quickly and help you prioritize what needs immediate attention.

The Damage Categories You Need to Know About

Not all storm damage looks the same, and insurance adjusters will be categorizing it in their head even before you realize it. Here’s a quick rundown of what to watch for:

Roof damage is the big one. Hail leaves circular bruise marks on shingles; high winds peel edges back, crack ridgeline caps, or blow off shingles entirely. If you can safely see your roof from the ground (binoculars help), look for areas where the texture looks different or where granules have washed into your gutters.

Water intrusion happens fast and damages quietly. If water got into your attic, it starts working on insulation, sheathing, and eventually ceiling drywall — often before you see any staining. Check your attic space with a flashlight if it’s safe to access.

Siding and soffit damage is easy to overlook because it’s not always obvious from a distance. Impact damage, cracks, and sections that have pulled away from the wall can all allow water to infiltrate behind your cladding.

Windows and doors — look for cracked glass, damaged frames, broken seals, or anything that’s no longer sitting flush in its opening.

Practical Tips for the First 24 Hours

Let’s get specific. Here’s what a smart, prepared homeowner does in the window right after a storm:

1. Stay off the roof. Just… don’t. Wet roofs are dangerously slippery, and you can cause additional damage that complicates your claim. Let professionals assess it.

2. Photograph the exterior from all four sides before touching anything. Then interior rooms. Then specific damage areas up close.

3. Start a storm damage log. Write down when the storm hit, what you heard and saw, and every action you took afterward. This becomes a timeline that supports your claim.

4. Contact a local, licensed contractor for an emergency inspection — not a storm chaser from out of state who showed up in your neighborhood with no local track record. There’s unfortunately a wave of predatory contractors that follows major storm events. Ask for license numbers, check reviews, and be wary of anyone who asks you to sign anything right at your door.

5. Ask your insurer about ALE (Additional Living Expenses) — if your home is uninhabitable, your policy may cover temporary housing, meals, and other costs while repairs are made. Most people don’t know to ask.

6. Protect your valuables. If there’s an area with an open roof or broken windows, move irreplaceable items (documents, photos, heirlooms) to a dry, safe location.

7. Check on neighbors, especially elderly ones. Mississippi communities pull together after storms, and a quick check-in takes two minutes.

What Not to Do — Mistakes That Hurt Claims

Honestly, some of the most damaging decisions happen right after a storm, not because people don’t care, but because they’re stressed and acting fast.

Don’t sign anything with a contractor before your adjuster has assessed the damage. Some contractors will ask you to sign an “Assignment of Benefits” form, which can hand over your claim rights to them. That can create serious problems down the road. It’s not always predatory — but understand what you’re signing before you do.

Don’t throw away damaged materials. Your old shingles, broken siding panels, hailstone-dented gutters — these are evidence. Your adjuster and potentially your own contractor will want to see them.

Don’t post extensively on social media before your claim is settled. It sounds paranoid, but insurers can and do look at social posts. Stick to letting family know you’re safe, and hold off on detailed posts about the damage until things are resolved.

FAQ: Storm Damage in Oxford, MS

How long do I have to file a storm damage claim in Mississippi? Most homeowner policies require you to report claims “promptly,” but Mississippi law typically gives you one year from the date of loss to file a claim. That said, don’t wait — the sooner you report, the better your documentation holds up.

What if the adjuster undervalues my damage? You have the right to dispute an adjuster’s estimate. A licensed public adjuster (someone who works for you, not the insurer) can review the claim independently. You can also get independent contractor estimates and present them to your insurer. Don’t assume the first number is final.

Will my rates go up if I file a claim? Possibly, depending on your insurer and your claims history. But if the damage is significant, not filing is usually the worse financial choice. Talk to your agent about your specific situation before deciding.

How do I know if my roof needs full replacement or just repairs? This depends on the extent of damage and your roof’s age. A qualified roofing contractor — not the insurer’s adjuster alone — should assess it. If more than 30% of the roof is damaged, most insurers will approve a full replacement, but local building codes and your policy terms also factor in.

What’s the biggest mistake homeowners make after storm damage? Not documenting enough, and not calling their insurer fast enough. Those two things together create more claim problems than almost anything else.

You’re Going to Get Through This

Storm damage is stressful in a way that’s hard to describe until you’ve stood in your living room watching rain fall from your own ceiling. But here’s the reality: homes get repaired. Insurance systems, for all their frustrations, exist for exactly this moment.

The first 24 hours are about protecting yourself, your family, and your property — in that order. Document everything. Call your insurer. Make smart emergency repairs. And work with local professionals who know the Oxford area and Mississippi building codes.

If you need a trusted local team to inspect your roof or exterior damage, Tekton Exteriors is worth a call. They work with homeowners through storm damage assessments and repairs, and they understand how to coordinate with insurance adjusters to make the process less painful.

You’ve got this. One step at a time.