March 2026 Storm Damage: What Richmond Homeowners Should Check on Their Roof

The severe storm system that hit Richmond on March 16, 2026, brought damaging straight-line winds, potential tornadoes, and heavy rain across Central Virginia. The Storm Prediction Center rated it a Level 4 of 5 — a rare designation that happens only a few times per decade.

If your home was in the path, your roof may have taken a hit — even if you can't see it from the ground.

Here's what to check, what to skip, and when to call a professional.

Don't Get on Your Roof

First things first: stay off the roof. After a severe storm, surfaces are slippery, damaged areas may be structurally weakened, and loose debris creates fall hazards.

Everything you need to check can be done from the ground or inside your home.

What to Look for From the Ground

Walk the perimeter of your home and look up:

• Missing shingles — bare patches or exposed underlayment are obvious signs
• Lifted or curling shingles — wind gets under edges and peels them back
• Shingle granules in gutters — if your gutters look like they're full of coarse sand, that's shingle surface material stripped by wind and hail
• Damaged flashing — metal pieces around vents, chimneys, and valleys that look bent or displaced
• Fallen tree limbs — even small branches can puncture or crack shingles on impact
• Dented gutters or downspouts — a sign of hail large enough to damage your roof too

What to Check Inside

Go to your attic (if accessible) with a flashlight:

• Water stains on rafters or decking — fresh wet spots mean active leaks
• Daylight coming through — if you see light, water can get in
• Damp insulation — even without visible dripping, saturated insulation means water is getting in somewhere

Check ceilings and walls on the top floor:

• New water stains or bubbling paint — a leak is actively working its way through
• Musty smell — moisture is collecting somewhere even if you can't see it

Hidden Damage Is the Real Danger

The most expensive storm damage is the kind you don't notice right away:

• Micro-fractures in shingles from hail impact — they won't leak today but will fail within months
• Loosened nails from wind uplift — shingles look fine but aren't properly fastened
• Compromised sealant strips — the adhesive that holds shingle tabs down can break, leading to future blow-offs
• Flashing displacement — a half-inch gap around a chimney can send gallons of water into your walls over time

This is why a professional inspection matters. A trained eye with ladder access will catch what you can't see from the ground.

Document Everything for Insurance

If you spot damage, document it before touching anything:

1. Take photos and video — wide shots and close-ups, with timestamps
2. Note the date and time of the storm
3. Don't make permanent repairs yet — temporary tarps to stop active leaks are fine, but your insurance adjuster needs to see the damage
4. File your claim promptly — most homeowner policies require timely reporting
5. Get a professional inspection report — this becomes critical evidence for your claim

When to Call a Roofer

Call immediately if:

• Active leak into your living space
• Tree or large limb on the roof
• Large sections of missing shingles (exposed decking)
• Structural sagging visible from ground level

Schedule an inspection this week if:

• You see granules in gutters but no obvious damage
• Neighbors had damage (storms hit neighborhoods unevenly)
• Your roof is over 15 years old (older roofs are more vulnerable)
• You want documentation for insurance, even if everything looks OK

Free Storm Damage Inspections

Evergreen Roofing is offering free storm damage inspections for Richmond-area homeowners affected by the March 2026 storms. We'll check your entire roof system, document any damage with photos, and provide a written report you can use for insurance claims.

We're GAF Master Elite certified (top 3% of roofers nationwide) and have completed over 1,200 roofs in the Richmond area.

Call (804) 639-1000 or request your free inspection online.

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Evergreen Roofing serves Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, Midlothian, and all of Central Virginia. Available 24/7 for emergency roof repairs.