What to Do After the June 22, 2026 Hail Storm in Rozet, WY

Rozet was within the path of the June 22, 2026 severe thunderstorm, and nearby hail reports ranged from quarter size to approximately 2 inches. The hours and days after a storm can feel rushed, especially when loose shingles, damaged vents, gutter problems, broken siding, or interior moisture appear. The best response protects people first, prevents additional damage, and creates a clear record before cleanup changes the scene. Homeowners should avoid unsafe roof access and use qualified help for temporary and permanent repairs.

Address Safety Hazards Before Property Damage

Wait until hail, lightning, and strong wind have ended before walking outside. Watch for downed wires, broken glass, unstable branches, loose roofing, damaged chimneys, and water near electrical fixtures. Keep children and pets away from debris and roof edges. Do not stand under a sagging ceiling or hanging exterior material. Call emergency services, utility providers, or qualified trades when structural, electrical, or gas hazards are present. Documentation matters, but it should never delay immediate safety actions. If the property includes livestock, outbuildings, trailers, or equipment, inspect access routes and overhead hazards before entering those areas. Storm debris and loose metal can remain dangerous after the weather appears calm.

Photograph the Property Before Cleanup

Take wide photos of the front, rear, and both sides of the home before moving debris. Include rooflines, gutters, siding, windows, garage doors, porches, and detached buildings. Photograph shingles, ridge caps, flashing, vent pieces, siding fragments, or gutter parts where they landed when safe. Use medium and close-up photos after the wide views. Do not climb onto the roof or alter materials for a better picture. Label the folder with June 22, 2026 and keep original images unedited. Photograph roofed structures separately so garage, shed, porch, and main-house damage are not mixed together. A simple property map can link each photo set to the correct building.

Stop Active Water Without Delaying Protection

Move belongings away from active drips, place containers where safe, and keep people out of rooms with bulging ceilings. Exterior tarps, vent covers, board-ups, and temporary seals should be installed by someone with proper equipment. Photograph the damage before protection when practical, then photograph the completed temporary work. Record the date, contractor, material, invoice, and which permanent condition remains. Temporary roofing cement or plastic does not replace damaged shingles, flashing, vents, underlayment, or decking. Temporary coverings should be checked from the ground after later wind and rain. Record torn edges, movement, ponding water, or new interior moisture and contact the installer rather than climbing up to adjust the covering yourself.

Check the Roof, Gutters, Siding, and Interior

A complete inspection should include every roof slope, ridge, valley, vent, chimney, pipe boot, wall transition, gutter run, downspout, siding wall, fascia, soffit, window, and exterior trim. Inside, check ceilings, exterior walls, attics, garages, and closets. Document new stains, wet insulation, dark decking, and changes after later rain. Larger nearby hail reports support the need for inspection, but the actual repair scope should be based on property-specific evidence rather than assuming every house received identical damage. Ask the inspector to identify areas that were inaccessible, snow-covered, too steep, or hidden beneath temporary materials. Unseen areas should be listed as limitations rather than assumed to be undamaged.

Keep Contractor and Insurance Roles Separate

A contractor can explain materials, damage locations, measurements, temporary work, repair methods, and construction costs. The insurer interprets the policy and makes coverage decisions. Keep inspection reports, estimates, photographs, communications, invoices, and requested documents organized. When comparing scopes, review roof areas, quantities, underlayment, flashing, vents, gutters, siding, temporary work, and concealed-damage procedures line by line. Ask each party questions within its role and request important explanations in writing. Review measurements and repair assumptions instead of comparing only the bottom-line totals. Two estimates may differ because they include different roof areas, accessories, flashing, waste, gutters, siding, or concealed-damage allowances. Ask for written clarification when a component is bundled into another line item, and confirm who is responsible for coordination when roofing, siding, gutters, windows, electrical equipment, or interior drying require different crews.

Document Permanent Repair and Project Completion

Before permanent work begins, confirm the repair area, products, exclusions, concealed-damage process, payment schedule, warranties, cleanup, and property protection. During work, photograph decking, underlayment, flashing, vents, roof edges, and hidden damage before those materials are covered. Save approved change orders and final product information. At completion, collect labeled roof photos, final invoice, proof of payment, warranties, permits when applicable, and a punch list of remaining items. Keep the complete June 22 storm file for the life of the repaired system. At the final walkthrough, compare the completed work with the contract and every approved change order. Keep a written punch list until cleanup, repairs, product records, and warranty information are complete. Repeat the original exterior photo angles after completion so later maintenance questions can be compared with the finished condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly should storm openings be covered?

As soon as reasonably possible when rain or wind could reach exposed materials. Safety and proper installation are more important than a homeowner rushing onto the roof.

Should I throw away roofing debris immediately?

Photograph it first and record where it was found. Keep physical samples only when safe, useful, and practical.

What if no leak is visible after the storm?

A professional inspection is still reasonable because damaged seals, vents, flashing, and shingles may not leak until later weather.

Do I need to reroute all repairs through insurance?

Insurance procedures depend on the policy and claim. Necessary safety and mitigation work should be documented, while coverage questions should be directed to the insurer.