Storm damage to a roof usually shows as hail bruises, creased or missing shingles, dented vents and gutters, or a tree limb on the roof. A free inspection documents it with photos per slope. Under South Carolina law, you (or a licensed public adjuster you hire), not a roofer, file and negotiate the insurance claim, using that documentation.
We can’t negotiate or handle insurance claims, and under South Carolina law neither can a roofing contractor. Here’s what you can do yourself.
Get a free roof inspection and quote
Your request goes to a local roofer in our network who will contact you about a free inspection and quote. Tell us about the roof once; a licensed and insured, local roofer will contact you within 24 hours.
Roofers Greenville is a free referral service. Roofing work is performed by independent contractors in our network. Submitting the form is free and doesn’t commit you to anything.
Which storms have damaged roofs in Greenville County?
Official records show hail, damaging thunderstorm winds and tornadoes every year. From 2016 to June 2026, NOAA’s Storm Events Database lists 69 hail reports on 38 days, 124 thunderstorm-wind reports and 10 tornadoes in Greenville County.
| Date | Event | Where (as recorded) |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 2024 | Hurricane Helene: widespread wind damage, many trees down, homes and businesses damaged by falling trees, shingles blown off roofs | Greenville County |
| 8 May 2024 | Hail, 1.75 in | Greenville downtown |
| 26 May 2024 | Hail, 1.75 in | Taylors |
| 9 May 2023 | Hail up to 2.25 in; 1.00 in at Fountain Inn and Mauldin | Cherokee Forest and across the county |
| 25 Apr 2020 | EF2 tornado, $5.0M property damage recorded | Park Place |
| 21 Mar 2017 | Hail up to 2.50 in; 2.00 in at Travelers Rest | Taylors, Batesville |
In those records, hail days are most frequent in May and June (9 each) and start as early as March; thunderstorm-wind days peak in June and July. That’s when to watch your roof most closely.
What’s the difference between hail damage and wind damage?
Hail bruises and cracks shingles from above; wind lifts and tears them from the edges. Both can be serious, and both are easiest to prove soon after the storm.
| Hail damage | Wind damage | |
|---|---|---|
| On shingles | Round dark marks where granules are knocked off; soft “bruises”; cracks | Creased, lifted or missing shingles, often along edges and ridges |
| Elsewhere | Dents in gutters, downspouts, vents, flashing and AC fins | Debris and fallen limbs; lifted flashing and drip edge |
| Visible from the ground? | Often not | Missing shingles usually are; creased ones often aren’t |
What should a storm inspection document?
A good storm inspection produces a report you can hand to your insurer. Ask for:
- Photos of every roof slope, labelled by direction.
- A marked test square on each slope, with the hits inside it counted.
- Close-ups of hail marks on soft metals: vents, gutters, flashing and downspouts.
- Gutter and downspout dents, and damage to siding or window screens.
- Creased or missing shingles and lifted flashing.
- The roof’s age and material, and any damage that was there before the storm.
Repair or replace after a storm? Scattered damage on a younger roof is often a repair; widespread hits across most slopes of an older roof usually mean replacement. Our repair or replace guide gives the full decision rule.
How do insurance claims work for storm damage?
You file the claim and deal with your insurer and adjuster yourself. In South Carolina, a roofing contractor may not negotiate or represent your claim, or offer to pay or rebate your deductible (S.C. Code §40-59-25). If your insurer denies all or part of the claim in writing, you can cancel the roofing contract until midnight of the fifth business day after you receive that notice. The step-by-step guide is roof insurance claims in South Carolina.
What are the red flags after a storm?
- Door knockers who arrive the day after a storm, especially with out-of-state plates.
- Deductible offers: “we’ll cover your deductible” or “we’ll give you a discount equal to it” is illegal for contractors in South Carolina.
- Claim handling: “we’ll handle your insurance” or “we’ll negotiate your claim with the adjuster” is also illegal for contractors in South Carolina.
- Pressure to sign today, or a contract signed before you’ve spoken to your insurer.
- No SC license or registration on the LLR lookup.
Our how to choose a roofer guide has the full checklist. For what to do in the first hours, read the storm damage roof checklist; for an active leak, go to emergency roof repair and tarping.
How it works with us
- Tell us about the roof. Fill in the short form once: the job, your ZIP code and how to reach you.
- A local roofer contacts you. Your request goes to a licensed and insured, local roofer in our network, who contacts you within 24 hours to set up a free inspection.
- You get a quote and decide. The inspection and quote are free, with no obligation. Check any roofer against our 5 checks before you sign.
Roofers Greenville is a free referral service. Roofing work is performed by independent contractors in our network. How our referral service works.
Areas we serve
- Greenville County core (within about 20 miles of Greenville): Greenville, Greer, Taylors, Mauldin, Simpsonville, Five Forks, Fountain Inn, Travelers Rest, Easley and Piedmont.
- Rest of the Upstate (about 25–40 miles): Anderson, Belton, Clemson, Seneca, Pickens, Spartanburg, Boiling Springs, Lyman, Moore, Campobello and Woodruff.
Every town, ZIP code and county we cover is on the service areas page.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after a storm should I get an inspection?
As soon as it’s safe, ideally within days. Damage is easiest to document while it’s fresh, and many policies set deadlines for reporting a loss. Check your policy for its time limits.
Can hail damage be invisible from the ground?
Yes. Hail bruises on shingles and small dents in vents are rarely visible from the yard. Dented gutters, downspouts or AC fins are a clue that the roof was hit too.
Do I have to use the roofer my insurer suggests?
Your policy sets the rules for your claim, so ask your insurer in writing whether you may choose your own licensed roofer. Whoever you use, check their SC LLR registration and get a written scope before signing.
Storm hit your roof? Request a free storm damage inspection.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (Greenville County, 2016–June 2026)
- NWS Greenville-Spartanburg: Hurricane Helene impact narratives
- South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 40, Chapter 59
Last reviewed: October 2026. Roofers Greenville is a free referral service; roofing work is performed by independent contractors in our network.