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After a doozy of a thunderstorm rolls through, most homeowners notice the obvious damage first. Tree limbs strewn across the yard. Dents peppering the gutters. Pieces of siding evicted from the house.
The roof is harder to check.
Ohio has experienced 69 severe storms that caused more than $1 billion in damage since 1980. But even with severe storms like these, roofing damage isn’t always immediately visible. A roof can look perfectly fine from the driveway and still be riddled with damage that requires repair.
Here’s what hail and wind damage usually look like on an Ohio roof and what to watch for after a severe storm whistles through.
Why Roof Storm Damage Often Goes Unnoticed
Some storm damage is hard to miss. A tree limb hanging halfway out of the window tends to get your attention. But damage to the roof isn’t always as obvious. In many cases, the damage is subtle at first and becomes easier to spot as the weeks and months go by.
It often flies under the radar because:
- Granule loss can be hard to see from the ground.
- Wind damage doesn’t always completely remove shingles.
- The most damaged areas might not be visible from the driveway.
- Roof leaks don’t always happen right away.
Because it’s so easy to miss, we always recommend having a roofing inspection done after major hail or wind events, even if everything looks OK from the ground.
What Hail Damage Looks Like on an Ohio Roof
Hail damage can show up in a couple of different ways, depending on the size of the hail and the roofing materials. A few common signs of hail damage on Ohio roofs include:
Dents in Metal Roofing and Roof Components
Fresh dents in metal roofing panels, flashing, roof vents, and downspouts are one of the clearest signs a hailstorm has damaged your roof. While cosmetic dents aren’t necessarily anything to sweat over, they can indicate that the roof absorbed significant impacts.
Bruised Asphalt Shingles
Not all hail damage leaves a visible crack or hole. Sometimes, the impact weakens the shingle beneath the surface, creating what roofing pros call a bruise. The roof might look fine from the ground, but to the touch, those shingles will usually feel spongy or soft.
Missing Granules and Dark Impact Marks
Hail can knock protective granules off asphalt shingles, leaving behind dark spots or small bare patches. These granules are responsible for protecting the shingles from UV damage and helping with impact and fire resistance. When they get dislodged, the exposed areas tend to weather faster.
Cracked Shingles, Shakes, or Tiles
If the hailstones are big enough, they can strike roofing shingles, shakes, or tiles hard enough to crack them outright. Asphalt shingles and wood shakes may split. Tile roofing might chip or crack. Once damage like this happens, moisture has an easier path into the roofing system.
What Wind Damage Looks Like on an Ohio Roof
Wind damage can take on a different look than hail damage. Instead of leaving impact marks behind, strong winds lift, bend, loosen, and sometimes remove roofing materials after a storm. With windstorms, we often see:
Lifted or Displaced Roofing Materials
High winds can lift shingles, metal panels, and tiles out of place. Sometimes, the material will settle back into place once the storm passes, but that’s not always the case. If they do wiggle back into place on their own, the roof might look unaffected from the ground even though the material has been loosened or weakened.
Missing Roofing Materials
Missing roofing is one of the clearest signs that the wind has taken a toll on your roof. Asphalt shingles, ridge caps, and metal panels can get snagged by the wind and pulled off your roof. When this happens, it leaves those exposed portions of your roof vulnerable to rain, snow, and future storms.
Creased or Folded Shingles
On asphalt roofs, wind often leaves behind a horizontal crease across the shingle. This can happen when a strong gust lifts the shingle and bends it back against itself. Even if the shingle remains attached, the crease weakens the material and increases the likelihood of future failure.
Damaged Flashing and Roof Edges
The edges of a roof often experience some of the strongest wind pressures during a storm. Flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights, and roof valleys can pull away from the surrounding material. Those loose or separated areas can create little openings where water can eventually work its way into the roofing system.
Signs Your Roof May Have Storm Damage (Clues You Can See from the Ground)
Climbing up on a roof is rarely a good idea — especially after a storm. It’s one of those jobs best left to the professionals. But while clambering up on your roof to check for damage may not be in the cards, you can look for signs of storm damage from the ground.
Look for:
- Dents in gutters, downspouts, roof vents, or other metal surfaces
- Shingles lying in the yard
- Pieces of flashing that appear loose, bent, or detached
- Granules collecting in gutters or near downspout exits
- Tree branches or other debris resting on the roof
- Sections of the roof that appear uneven, lifted, or out of place
- Damage to siding, window screens, or other exterior surfaces that weathered the same storm
Finding damage in these areas doesn’t necessarily mean that your roof has taken major damage, but it does mean that a professional inspection is a good idea.
Hail Damage vs. Wind Damage: What’s the Difference?
Hail and wind often come as a package deal in the same storm, which can make it tricky to determine which one caused the damage. It doesn’t always matter which one caused the damage, but if you’re curious which may have been to blame, here’s a breakdown of the common differences:
| Hail Damage | Wind Damage |
| Leaves impacts marks, dents, and bruises | Lifts, bends, loosens, or removes roofing materials |
| Often causes granule loss on asphalt shingles | Often causes creased, folded, or missing shingles |
| Commonly dents gutters, vents, flashing, and other metal surfaces | Frequently affects roof edges, ridges, and corners where wind pressure is highest |
| Damage patterns are often scattered across the roof surface | Damage is often concentrated in areas exposed to prevailing winds |
| Usually caused by direct impact from hailstones | Usually caused by uplift, pressure changes, or wind-blown debris |
What to Do After an Ohio Hail or Wind Storm
After a big storm moves through your area, it’s a good idea to check for damage around your property. That way, if you find something, you can take care of it before it has time to get worse.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Walk around your house and look for obvious signs of damage. Think dents in gutters, damaged siding, and debris on the roof.
- Take photos of any damage you can safely see from the ground. This can be helpful if repairs or an insurance claim are needed.
- Check your attic and ceilings for signs of water intrusion. New stains, damp insulation, or unusual moisture can let you know that your roof took some damage during the storm.
- Schedule a professional roof inspection if you see signs that indicate hail or wind damage. While you might be tempted to climb up there yourself to take a look, storm damage can weaken roof materials, and wet or damaged roofs can be dangerous to walk on. This is one of those jobs best left to the pros.
- Contact your insurance company if the roofers find significant storm damage. They can explain your coverage and walk you through the claims process.
How Much Does Storm Damage Repair Cost in Ohio?
The average cost to repair storm damage to a roof is $12,331, though actual costs can range between $2,641 and $22,127. The reason there’s such a large gap there is because every repair is different. Swapping out a few asphalt shingles is noticeably cheaper than a repair that involves exposed roofing mat or even a full replacement.
Because pricing can vary so widely, a professional roofing inspection is the best way to get an accurate number for your roof. During an inspection, we can get a close look at damage that might’ve been invisible from the ground, like bruised shingles.
Wind & Hail Damage in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
Every storm is different, and so is the damage it leaves behind. These are some of the most common questions we get after storms in Ohio.
What is considered hail damage on a roof?
Hail damage doesn’t always show up as a hole in the roof. In many cases, it shows up as bruised shingles, missing granules, dents in metal roof components, or cracked roofing materials. If you’re not sure whether the damage is actually from hail, we recommend scheduling a professional roof inspection.
Will homeowners’ insurance cover storm damage to a roof?
According to Progressive, many homeowners’ insurance policies cover roof damage caused by hail and wind. The specifics of what’s covered will depend on your policy and circumstances surrounding the claim.
How can I tell if the wind damaged my roof?
Missing shingles are one of the most obvious signs, but wind damage isn’t always easy to spot. Shingles can lift, loosen, or crease during a storm and then settle back into place. Similar issues with flashing can also point to wind damage.
How soon should I have my roof inspected after a storm?
The sooner, the better. A prompt inspection can identify damage before additional storms make the problem worse. Issues that leave holes or gaps in your roofing system, such as lifted shingles or cracked shakes, can let water in, which can let the problem progress to other parts of the system.
What size hail does it take to damage a shingle roof?
There’s no single answer because roof age, shingle condition, wind speed, and hail density all affect the outcome. That said, hail around one inch in diameter is often large enough to damage asphalt shingles, especially on older roofs. Larger hailstones have a better chance of cracking shingles, removing granules, or denting metal roofing components.
Schedule a Storm Damage Inspection
Storms are part of life in Ohio. Making sure your roof is ready for the next one starts with knowing its condition today.
If your home was recently affected by hail or high winds, our team can take a closer look. We’ll inspect the roof, document any storm-related damage we find, and answer your questions along the way. If repairs are needed, we’ll explain your options. If everything looks good, we’ll tell you that too.
Contact Asbury Roofing & Siding to schedule a roof inspection.
Sources & References
- National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) – “Ohio Billion-Dollar Disaster Summary”
Provides a summary of billion-dollar weather and climate disasters that have affected Ohio since 1980, including severe storms, winter storms, flooding, droughts, tropical cyclones, and other major events. The resource includes event counts, historical trends, and economic impact data.
https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions/state-summary/OH - Angi – “How Much Does Repairing Storm or Wind Damage Cost?”
Breaks down the typical costs associated with storm-related property damage repairs, including roof damage caused by hail and wind. The guide discusses national averages, factors that affect repair costs, and common repair scenarios homeowners may encounter after severe weather.
https://www.angi.com/articles/how-much-does-repairing-storm-or-wind-damage-cost.htm - Progressive – “Does Home Insurance Cover Storm Damage?”
Explains how homeowners insurance policies typically handle storm-related damage, including common coverage considerations, exclusions, deductibles, and the claims process after severe weather events.
https://www.progressive.com/answers/does-home-insurance-cover-storm-damage
