Arkansas doesn’t mess around with summer storms. Between May and September, Central Arkansas sees everything from heavy hail and straight-line winds to the occasional tornado — and your roof takes the brunt of all of it.

The problem is that storm damage isn’t always obvious from the ground. A roof that looks fine after a storm can have damage that leads to leaks, mold, and structural problems months later. Catching it early makes the difference between a straightforward insurance claim and a much bigger repair bill.

Here’s how to assess your roof after a significant storm — safely and systematically.

Start on the Ground

Before you even think about getting on your roof, do a full walk-around from the ground. You can spot a lot with just your eyes and a pair of binoculars.

What to look for:

  • Missing, lifted, or visibly shifted shingles
  • Shingles with dark patches or areas that look wet even after the roof has dried
  • Granules washed into your gutters or piled at the base of downspouts (this is a key hail damage indicator — granules are the protective coating on asphalt shingles)
  • Dented or bent gutters, fascia, or downspouts — if hail dented your gutters, it almost certainly hit your roof too
  • Damaged or missing flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights
  • Debris on the roof that may have caused impact damage

Also check your yard for tree branches, and look at your neighbor’s roofs — if they’re visibly damaged, yours likely is too.

Check Inside Your Attic

This is the most underrated inspection step and you don’t need to get on the roof to do it. Grab a flashlight and check your attic within 24-48 hours after a major storm.

Signs of storm damage from inside:

  • Water stains or wet spots on the decking (the wood underneath the shingles)
  • Daylight visible through the roof boards
  • Sagging areas in the decking
  • Fresh debris or dust that wasn’t there before

Finding moisture in the attic immediately after a storm is a strong sign of compromised shingles or flashing — and early detection here can prevent the kind of water damage that turns a roofing claim into a full interior restoration project.

If You Get on the Roof

If you’re comfortable doing so and your roof pitch isn’t too steep, a closer inspection is worthwhile. But be honest with yourself about this — wet roofs are slippery, and a fall from a single-story roof causes serious injury. If there’s any doubt, leave it to a professional.

What to look for up close:

Hail damage shows up as circular dents or “bruising” on asphalt shingles — soft spots where the granules have been knocked away, often with a dark center. It can be subtle and is easy to miss from the ground. On impact, hail fractures the fiberglass mat beneath the granules, which eventually leads to cracking and leaks even if the shingle looks mostly intact.

Wind damage typically shows as lifted or curled shingle edges, broken tabs, or entirely missing shingles. Pay close attention to ridgeline shingles and any areas near roof edges or peaks — these take the most wind stress.

Impact damage from tree branches or debris shows as punctures, cracked shingles, or gouged areas. These are usually obvious but check carefully around any debris you find on the roof.

Flashing damage is easy to overlook but critically important. Flashing is the metal that seals the joints around chimneys, vents, skylights, and where your roof meets a wall. If it’s lifted, cracked, or pulled away, water follows immediately. This is one of the most common sources of post-storm leaks.

Document Everything Before You Call Anyone

If you find damage, document it thoroughly before calling your insurance company or a contractor.

  • Take photos and video of everything — ground level, gutters, any visible roof damage, attic moisture
  • Note the date and time of the storm — your insurance claim will reference this
  • Check for hail reports — the National Weather Service and apps like iHail log verified hail events by location, which supports your claim

One important note: do not let a contractor make repairs before your insurance adjuster has inspected the damage. Temporary protective measures (like tarping an active leak) are fine and appropriate, but permanent repairs made before an adjuster visit can complicate or reduce your claim payout.

The 30-Day Rule

Many Arkansas homeowners don’t realize their homeowner’s insurance policy has a window for filing storm damage claims — and waiting too long can result in a denial. Most policies require you to report damage “promptly,” which insurers often interpret as 30-60 days after the event.

If a storm hit your area, inspect within a few days and file your claim if you find damage — don’t wait until the damage shows up as a leak months later.

When to Call a Roofer

Call a roofing contractor if:

  • You find any of the damage signs listed above
  • Your attic shows moisture or daylight
  • Your home is more than 15-20 years old and took a significant hail event — older shingles are more vulnerable and may have sustained damage that’s hard to see
  • You’re not comfortable getting on the roof yourself

A reputable roofing company will do a free storm damage inspection and give you an honest assessment of what they found. If they find damage, they can work directly with your insurance adjuster — most established roofing contractors in Conway have done this process hundreds of times and know exactly what documentation adjusters need.

Be cautious of door-to-door “storm chasers” — contractors from out of state who descend on communities after major weather events. They’re often gone before warranty issues surface. Stick with established local companies who have a verifiable track record in Central Arkansas.

Browse top-rated roofing contractors in Conway & Central Arkansas — ranked by Google review count, with free storm damage inspections noted where available.