How to Document June 22, 2026 Hail Damage in Wyodak, WY

Accurate documentation from the June 22, 2026 storm can help Wyodak homeowners explain what changed at the property, compare contractor scopes, and keep temporary and permanent repairs organized. The goal is not to create hundreds of random close-ups or make conclusions about insurance coverage. A strong record uses a clear storm date, wide location photos, detail images, measurements, contractor findings, and a timeline of leaks or movement after later weather. The severe thunderstorm warning included Wyodak Mine and nearby Rozet, but each address should be documented based on the conditions actually observed there.

Create a June 22, 2026 Storm Folder

Use one main folder named with the property and storm date. Suggested subfolders include original photos, labeled copies, storm timeline, inspections, estimates, temporary repairs, communications, change orders, completion, and warranties. Keep untouched original images separate from cropped or annotated copies. Use a consistent file name such as 2026-06-22-main-house-west-slope-vent-damage. This system makes it easier to compare the first inspection with later leaks, contractor findings, and completed work without losing the original evidence. Add a master index listing each important file, its date, and what it shows. An index is especially helpful when the project includes multiple structures, several inspections, or later revisions to the repair scope.

Photograph the Entire Property Before Details

Begin with the front, right side, rear, and left side of the main home. Repeat the process for garages, sheds, porches, and other roofed structures. Include rooflines, gutters, downspouts, siding, windows, fascia, soffit, doors, exterior equipment, trees, and debris. Wide photos show the overall storm pattern and give close-ups a location. When photographing a dent, crack, or missing shingle, add a medium view containing a vent, wall, valley, corner, or roof edge. Do not move debris or alter roofing solely to create a more dramatic image. Photograph less-affected elevations too. Comparison views can show how exposure varied across the property and establish the condition of surfaces that may later be disturbed during repairs.

Record the Exact Location of Roof Damage

Draw a simple roof map and label slopes by direction, number, or clear names such as front main roof, garage west slope, or rear porch. Use the same labels on photos, inspection notes, and estimates. Contractors should provide a wide roof-level photo, a medium location image, and a close-up for each important condition. Measurements can include distance from a ridge, eave, valley, or vent. Keep unmarked originals before adding circles or arrows to copies. Location-based documentation is more useful than a folder of isolated dark marks. When a contractor uses chalk, rulers, or labels on the roof, keep an unmarked image of the same area. Annotated copies are useful, but the original condition should remain available.

Document Interior Moisture and Changes Over Time

If moisture appears after the storm, photograph the full room, wall or ceiling, close-up stain, and attic area above it. Record the date, rainfall, wind direction, and whether the area grew after the rain ended. Use removable tape to mark a dry stain boundary when the surface is stable. In the attic, document wet insulation, decking, water trails, rust, and nearby penetrations. Do not assume the exterior opening is directly above the interior stain. Update the timeline after every meaningful change rather than rewriting the original entry. If drying equipment is used, record placement, start and stop dates, and moisture readings when available. Photograph the area again before insulation or drywall is replaced.

Save Temporary Repair and Communication Records

Photograph tarps, emergency seals, vent covers, removed wet materials, drying equipment, and board-ups before and after installation. Save receipts and note who performed the work and why it was needed. Keep important emails, texts, inspection appointments, requested documents, and contractor explanations in date order. Summarize important phone conversations in a short written note. Temporary work should be clearly separated from the permanent repair scope so the project history remains understandable. Save confirmation that important documents were received. A sent email, portal receipt, or written acknowledgment can prevent later confusion about which version of an estimate or photo packet was reviewed.

Build a Final Before-During-After Record

When permanent repair begins, photograph concealed decking, underlayment, flashing, fasteners, fascia, and wall conditions before they are removed or covered. Save written change orders with quantities and prices. Completion records should identify installed products, colors, warranties, permits when applicable, final invoices, and photos from the same exterior viewpoints used after the storm. Keep these records for the life of the roofing and exterior system. A complete archive helps with future maintenance, matching, service requests, and property ownership changes. Include final cleanup and property-condition photos. Driveways, landscaping, siding, windows, and gutters near the work area should be compared with pre-project views before the file is closed. Keep the archive backed up in a second location and add future maintenance notes so the June 22 repair history remains useful years after the original storm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I include the storm date in every document?

Use June 22, 2026 in the main folder and timeline, then date each later inspection, repair, or leak separately so the sequence is clear.

Do I need to photograph every hail mark?

No. Photograph representative damage, the overall pattern, and the clearest or most severe examples while preserving exact location information.

Can a contractor help organize the documentation?

Yes. A contractor can provide roof maps, labeled photos, measurements, material findings, repair scopes, concealed-damage records, and completion photos.

Should I keep physical roofing debris?

Photographs and product information are usually more useful. Keep physical samples only when safe, practical, dry, and needed for identification or specifically requested.