Storm and Wind Damage: What to Do and What Insurance Covers

If a storm or high wind just damaged your property, do three things first: make sure everyone is safe and stay clear of any downed power lines or unstable structure, then stop further water from getting in with an emergency board-up or roof tarp, and photograph everything before you clean up so your insurance claim is documented. After that, call your insurer and a licensed restoration company to secure the property and begin drying. Firstline Restoration answers 24/7 across the GTA with a 45-minute emergency response.

Windstorms, summer thunderstorms, and winter systems across the GTA can tear off shingles, break windows, bring down trees, and drive rain into a home in minutes. Acting quickly and in the right order protects your family, limits the damage, and makes the insurance side far smoother. Here is how to handle it step by step.

Step 1: Make Safety the First Priority

Before you inspect anything, slow down and check for hazards. Storm damage often creates dangers that are not obvious at a glance, and a claim is never worth a serious injury.

• Downed power lines: Treat every fallen or sagging line as live. Stay back at least 10 metres, keep others and pets away, and call 911 and your utility. Do not touch anything the line is contacting.
• Structural hazards: Watch for sagging ceilings, bowed walls, a compromised roof, or a tree resting on the structure. If any part of the building looks unstable, get everyone out and stay out.
• Water and electricity together: If water has reached outlets, panels, or the electrical system, do not wade through it. Shut off power at the breaker only if you can reach it safely and dry, otherwise wait for an electrician or the utility.
• Gas smell: If you smell gas, leave immediately, do not flip switches, and call your gas provider from outside.

Once the scene is safe, you can begin protecting the property.

Step 2: Stop Further Water With Board-Up and Roof Tarping

Wind rarely causes damage in isolation. A missing section of roof, a broken window, or a hole from a fallen branch becomes an open door for rain. Every hour that opening stays exposed, more water enters and more of your home is affected. Emergency mitigation is about stopping that spread right away.

• Board-up: Broken windows, blown-in doors, and wall breaches are covered with plywood or panels to keep out rain, wind, and intruders.
• Roof tarping: Exposed or damaged roof sections are covered with heavy tarps and secured so rain stops driving into the attic and ceilings below.
• Water extraction: Standing water is removed quickly so it cannot keep soaking into floors, drywall, and structure.

Most insurance policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, so prompt board-up and tarping also support your claim. Our team handles emergency board-up and tarping as part of storm damage restoration, and can be on site fast. Learn more about our full storm damage restoration services.

Step 3: Document the Damage Before You Clean Up

This step protects your claim, so do it before you move debris or start drying. The goal is a clear record of what the storm did.

• Photograph and video everything: Capture wide shots of each affected room and the exterior, then close-ups of specific damage such as broken windows, water stains, and fallen branches.
• Do not throw anything out yet: Keep damaged items and materials until your adjuster has seen them or told you otherwise.
• Make a list: Note damaged belongings, roughly when the storm hit, and any emergency steps you took.
• Keep receipts: Save receipts for tarps, board-up materials, hotel stays, or anything you spend responding to the emergency.

A licensed restoration company documents its own scope and findings too, which gives your insurer a consistent picture. For more detail on preparing a strong file, see our guide to insurance claim help.

What Home Insurance Typically Covers for Wind and Storm

Coverage varies by policy, insurer, and your specific circumstances, so this is general guidance only and you should confirm the details with your own policy and provider. In broad terms, sudden and accidental storm and wind damage is often covered, while damage tied to gradual wear, deferred maintenance, or certain flood scenarios is commonly excluded or needs an add-on.

Often covered	Commonly excluded or limited
Wind damage to the roof, siding, and windows	Damage from long-term wear or lack of maintenance
Rain entering through a storm-created opening	Rain entering through an existing, unrepaired defect
A tree falling on the house or structure	Overland flooding without a flood or water endorsement
Emergency mitigation such as board-up and tarping	Sewer backup without a specific endorsement
Sudden interior water damage from the storm	Pre-existing damage or issues you knew about

Because wording differs so much between policies, always read your own coverage and ask your insurer what applies before assuming. We work alongside homeowners and adjusters every day and can help you understand the restoration scope. You pay only your deductible and we can bill your insurer directly for covered work. For more background, see our insurance overview.

Water Intrusion and Mould Risk After a Storm

The wind damage you can see is often not the biggest problem. Water that got in through the roof or a broken window soaks into drywall, insulation, subfloors, and framing, where it can sit hidden for days. In the GTA humidity, that trapped moisture is exactly what mould needs to start growing, and mould can begin within 24 to 48 hours.

• Dry it properly, not just on the surface: Wiping up visible water is not enough. Materials need to be dried with professional equipment and monitored with moisture meters.
• Watch for warning signs: A musty smell, spreading stains, bubbling paint, or warping floors all point to moisture still in the structure.
• Act fast: The sooner drying begins, the less likely you are to face mould remediation and larger repairs later.

This is why storm response and water damage response go hand in hand. See our water damage restoration services for how we dry a home out completely and prevent secondary damage.

The Repair and Reconstruction Process

Once the property is secured and dried, the focus shifts to putting your home back together. A typical restoration runs in clear stages.

What to expect

• Assessment: A full inspection of the damage, including hidden moisture, with a documented scope of work.
• Mitigation: Emergency board-up, tarping, water extraction, and structural drying to stabilize the property.
• Cleanup and demolition: Removing unsalvageable materials such as soaked drywall or insulation.
• Reconstruction: Rebuilding and finishing so the home is restored to its pre-loss condition.

As a licensed, insured, and WSIB-covered company, we handle the process end to end and coordinate with your insurer along the way, so you are not managing multiple contractors during an already stressful time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first after storm or wind damage?

Make sure everyone is safe and stay clear of downed power lines and unstable structure, then stop further water from entering with an emergency board-up or roof tarp, and photograph the damage before you clean up. After that, contact your insurer and a licensed restoration company.

Does home insurance cover storm and wind damage?

It often covers sudden, accidental wind and storm damage, but coverage varies by policy and some causes such as overland flooding or gradual wear are commonly excluded or need an add-on. Always confirm the specifics with your own policy and insurer.

Should I clean up before the adjuster arrives?

Do not discard damaged materials or items before documenting them and, ideally, before your adjuster has seen them. You can and should take emergency steps to prevent further damage, such as tarping and water removal, and keep receipts and photos of everything.

How fast can Firstline respond to storm damage in the GTA?

We answer 24/7 and target a 45-minute emergency response across the Greater Toronto Area, so we can secure your property and start mitigation quickly to limit further damage.

Storm or wind damage does not wait, and neither do we. Firstline Restoration is available 24/7 with a 45-minute emergency response across the GTA, licensed, insured, WSIB-covered, and 5-star rated on Google. If your property has been hit, contact us for emergency help now and we will secure your home and start restoring it right away.