On Tuesday, August 11, one of the most powerful windstorms in recent memory ripped across Central Ohio. The Storm Prediction Center has preliminarily classified the event as a derecho — a widespread, long-lived windstorm produced by an organized complex of thunderstorms — and the numbers back that up. The National Weather Service recorded a peak gust of 82 mph at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, with winds over 80 mph reported as the storm complex tore through the region. If your home was in its path, here’s what you need to know about roof storm damage — and how to get storm damage roof repair handled the right way.
The storm formed in Iowa early Tuesday morning, raced through Chicago and Indiana, and hit Central Ohio with full force. By early afternoon, more than 200,000 customers across the state had lost power, with AEP Ohio reporting over 130,000 outages in our area alone and warning that full restoration could take days. Tragically, at least one death was reported in Roseville.
Where the Storm Damage Hit Hardest
Damage reports came in from all over the metro area — Dublin, Hilliard, Upper Arlington, Bexley, Clintonville, and Columbus’s south side all saw significant impacts. Meteorologists are also investigating a possible tornado touchdown on the north side of Columbus.
The damage wasn’t limited to trees and power lines. Commercial buildings had entire roof sections torn off, skylights were shattered, and across residential neighborhoods, homes took hits from falling trees and flying debris. When straight-line winds exceed 80 mph, even well-maintained roofs can lose shingles, flashing, and gutters — and roof damage from a storm like this isn’t always visible from the ground.
Your Roof May Be Damaged Even If It Looks Fine
After a wind event like this, the most dangerous damage is often the kind you can’t see from your driveway. Here’s what 80+ mph winds commonly do to asphalt shingle roofs:
- Lifted or creased shingles — wind can break the adhesive seal without tearing the shingle off. The roof looks intact, but the next rainstorm finds its way underneath.
- Missing shingles and exposed underlayment — check your yard and gutters for shingle pieces and granules.
- Damaged flashing and vents — around chimneys, skylights, and roof valleys, where roof leaks most often start.
- Punctures from debris — branches don’t have to be big to punch through a shingle at 80 mph.
- Gutter and siding damage — bent gutters and dented siding are strong indicators your roof took a beating too.
What to Do Before Calling for Storm Damage Roof Repair
- Stay safe first. Stay far away from downed power lines and don’t climb on your roof — leave that to professionals with proper safety equipment.
- Document everything. Take photos and video of any visible damage to your roof, siding, gutters, and property from the ground, and note the date. Tuesday’s storm is a well-documented weather event, which strengthens your roof insurance claim — and Ohio has claim deadlines that matter, so don’t sit on it.
- Prevent further damage. If you have an active leak, a professionally installed tarp can prevent interior damage. Most insurance policies actually require you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage.
- Get a storm damage roof inspection before filing a claim. A thorough inspection tells you whether you have a legitimate claim and gives you documentation your adjuster will respect. If only part of your roof is damaged, Ohio’s roof matching law may work in your favor too.
- Beware of storm chasers. After every major storm, out-of-town crews flood Central Ohio neighborhoods knocking on doors. Work with a local, established contractor who will still be here to honor their warranty next year.
Local Storm Damage Roof Repair in Columbus & Dublin, Ohio
Exterior Alliance is based right here in Dublin — our own community was in the storm’s path, and we know exactly what Tuesday’s derecho did to roofs across Central Ohio. If your home was hit, we’ll perform a free, no-obligation storm damage roof inspection, document everything we find, and walk you through the insurance claim process if a claim is warranted. Whether you need a targeted roof repair or the damage points to a full roof replacement, you’ll get straight answers either way.
With 80+ mph winds confirmed across the metro area, insurance companies are expecting claims from this event. Don’t wait until the next heavy rain reveals a leak in your living room ceiling — contact us today or grab an instant online roofing estimate to get your storm damage roof repair started with a local team you can trust.
