Severe storms in the Tri-State region typically hit hardest between April and September. The pattern we see at Catalyst: warning issued at 2pm, system arrives at 4pm, our phones start ringing at 4:15pm. By 4:30pm we're prioritizing dispatches by acute exposure. The homes that come out best aren't the lucky ones — they're the ones whose owners did 30 minutes of work before the storm.
The 30-minute checklist
- Clear the gutters and downspouts. Backed-up gutters are the #1 source of storm-related water intrusion we see in older homes.
- Walk the roof line from the ground with binoculars. Any lifted shingles, loose flashing, or exposed underlayment is an entry point waiting to happen.
- Move outdoor furniture indoors or anchor it. Patio chairs become projectiles in 60mph winds.
- Trim any tree limbs within 10 feet of the house. Trees over your roof are storm season's biggest expense.
- Test the sump pump. Pour a bucket of water into the pit and confirm the pump kicks on. A failed sump on a Saturday in July is a $20k mistake.
- Locate and label the main water shut-off and the main electrical breaker. If something fails during the storm, you don't want to be hunting.
- Charge phones, fill the bathtub, and have flashlights staged.
Documenting the BEFORE state
After the storm we routinely have homeowners ask whether a specific issue was pre-existing. The answer to "did the storm cause this?" is much easier to prove with photos taken before the storm. Take 20 quick photos of your roof line, siding, windows, and yard before any severe weather warning. Date-stamped in iCloud or Google Photos automatically.
What to do during
Stay away from windows. If you hear water where it shouldn't be, find it but don't engage with it until the weather passes. Standing under an active leak with a bucket is a great way to slip on a wet floor in the dark.
What to do after
First — verify the structure is safe before re-entering compromised areas. Then call us. Tarping a damaged roof at 2am stops a $30k claim from becoming a $90k one. We dispatch storm response across MD, PA, WV, and VA throughout severe weather events.
Active storm damage?
Request emergency dispatch