How to Tell If You Need Emergency Roof Repair After a Storm

When a big storm hits the Seattle area, it’s normal to feel a little anxious about what it might have done to your roof. Some damage can wait a few days for a scheduled repair—but other issues are true emergencies that need fast attention to protect your home and keep your family safe.

With more than 25 years of experience in the Pacific Northwest, Elite Roofing has helped homeowners across King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties through windstorms, heavy rain, snow, and fallen tree damage. Our team knows the difference between a “keep an eye on it” situation and a “call right now” emergency—and we’re here to help you understand it too.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to tell if you need emergency roof repair after a storm, what to do in the first few minutes, and how Elite Roofing can respond quickly with professional inspection, repair, or replacement when it really counts.

What Counts as a Roofing Emergency?

Not every roof issue is an emergency, but certain kinds of storm damage can put your home or safety at immediate risk. In general, you should treat a situation as an emergency if:

• Water is actively entering your home (dripping, streaming, or soaking walls and ceilings).
• A large section of shingles or roof covering has been blown off or is visibly missing.
• A tree, large branch, or other heavy debris has hit your roof.
• Ceilings are sagging or bulging with trapped water.
• Water is near electrical fixtures, wiring, or your breaker panel.
• Part of the roof structure appears cracked, bowed, or unsafe.

If any of these are happening, it’s time to call an experienced roofing contractor for emergency roof services right away. The sooner the damage is stabilized, the more you can limit structural and interior repairs later.

Signs You Need Emergency Roof Repair After a Storm

1. Active Leaks and Rapidly Spreading Water Damage

A small, slow drip might not feel like an emergency at first—but after a major storm, it often means water has already traveled a long way through your roof, insulation, and framing. Watch for:

• New water stains that appear quickly and keep growing in size.
• Drips coming from light fixtures, fans, or smoke detectors.
• Multiple leaks in different rooms at the same time.
• Water running down walls or pooling on floors.

When heavy rain is still falling and water is actively entering your home, this is an emergency. Elite Roofing can provide fast leak detection and roof repairs and emergency roof services to help stop the intrusion and protect your interior.

2. Sagging or Bulging Ceilings

If you notice your ceiling sagging, bowing, or forming a bubble after a storm, it means water has already accumulated behind the drywall or plaster. This can quickly become a safety issue if the ceiling fails. Take these signs seriously:

• A large discolored “bubble” forming in the ceiling.
• Soft spots that feel spongy when gently pressed.
• Cracks forming in a circular or spiderweb pattern around a wet area.

Avoid standing directly beneath a sagging or bowed area. Move valuables away, contain any drips with buckets, and call a professional roofer right away. Elite Roofing’s team can stabilize the situation and track down the source of the leak with a thorough roof inspection.

3. Tree or Debris Impact on the Roof

In a windstorm, falling trees and large branches can cause serious damage—even if you don’t immediately see water inside. If anything heavy has landed on your roof, treat it as an urgent situation. Common signs include:

• A visible branch, tree, or large object resting on the roof.
• Dented or cracked shingles in a concentrated area.
• Broken rafters or visible sagging of the roofline.
• Loose or displaced gutters near the impact point.

Do not attempt to climb on the roof or remove heavy debris yourself. There may be hidden structural damage beneath the impact. Instead, contact Elite Roofing for emergency roof services so our team can assess the damage safely and recommend the right repairs or roof replacement if necessary.

4. Large Areas of Missing Shingles or Exposed Roof Decking

After a storm, walk around your home and visually inspect the roof (from the ground) if you can do so safely. If you see large patches of missing shingles or exposed wood, water has a direct path into your home. Emergency-level shingle damage looks like:

• Entire sections of shingles gone, exposing underlayment or wood.
• Shingles scattered throughout your yard and driveway.
• Flashing that’s visibly lifted, bent, or missing.
• Obvious gaps around chimneys, vents, or skylights.

Even if water has not reached your interior yet, this type of damage can quickly turn into a major leak with the next round of rain. Elite Roofing can provide prompt roof repairs or, if your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, discuss options for a full roof replacement.

5. Water Near Electrical Systems

Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. If storm-related roof leaks are affecting any electrical components, treat the situation as an emergency and prioritize safety. Call for immediate professional help if you notice:

• Water dripping through or around light fixtures or ceiling fans.
• Wet electrical panels, outlets, or switches.
• Sparking, buzzing, or flickering lights associated with a leak.

In these situations, shut off power to the affected area if you can do so safely, avoid standing in water, and contact both a licensed electrician and a roofing professional. Elite Roofing can address the roof leak itself while your electrician ensures the electrical system is safe.

What to Do First If You Think You Need Emergency Roof Repair

When you suspect serious storm damage, a few quick steps can help protect your home and prepare you for repairs and potential insurance claims.

1. Put safety first. Stay away from sagging ceilings, standing water near electrical outlets, and areas where the roof structure may be compromised. Do not climb onto a wet or storm-damaged roof.
2. Protect what you can. Move furniture, electronics, and valuables away from leaks. Use buckets or containers to catch drips and towels or plastic sheeting to protect flooring.
3. Document the damage. Take clear photos and short videos of any visible interior and exterior damage if you can safely do so. This will help with both the roofing estimate and a potential insurance claim.
4. Call a trusted local roofer. Contact a licensed, experienced roofing contractor that offers emergency roof services. Elite Roofing can often provide rapid response, temporary protection, and a detailed repair plan.
5. Notify your insurance company. For significant damage, many homeowners choose to open a claim. Elite Roofing can provide inspection reports, photos, and a written estimate to share with your adjuster.

For seasonal storms and heavy fall rain, you can also take advantage of our Rapid Response: Fall Roofing Inspection & Repair service to catch vulnerabilities before the next big storm hits.

How Elite Roofing Handles Emergency Roof Repairs

When you call Elite Roofing after a storm, our goal is simple: protect your home quickly and then provide a clear, honest plan to make things right. Here’s what you can expect:

• Rapid response and temporary protection. For active leaks, we focus first on stabilizing the situation—tarping damaged areas, stopping water intrusion where possible, and protecting vulnerable parts of your home.
• Thorough roof and attic inspection. We inspect the roof surface, flashing, gutters, and attic to understand the full scope of damage, not just the most obvious symptoms.
• Clear, written estimate. You’ll receive a detailed repair or replacement proposal with photos and straightforward pricing—no pressure, just the information you need to decide.
• Professional repairs or replacement. Depending on the condition of your roof, we may recommend targeted roof repairs or a full roof replacement if the system is at the end of its life.
• Help with insurance documentation. We routinely assist homeowners by providing inspection reports, damage photos, and professional estimates to support storm-related insurance claims.
• 0% down financing options. If major work is needed, you can explore 0% down roofing and gutter financing options (OAC) so you can move forward without delaying critical repairs.

Schedule an Emergency Roof Assessment with Elite Roofing

If you’re not sure whether your storm damage is an emergency, you don’t have to figure it out alone. The team at Elite Roofing is here to listen, answer your questions, and let you know what needs attention right away.

We serve homeowners throughout King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties with responsive, professional storm damage inspections and repairs backed by decades of local experience. Call (425) 482-0676 now or request your free roofing estimate online. If you’re dealing with an active leak or major damage, let us know you need emergency roof services so we can prioritize your call.