The 10 August 2020 derecho brought widespread wind damage across central Indiana, with trees and power lines down, according to the National Weather Service's Indianapolis office. Roofs in the metro were struck by wind, limbs and debris. The sources for this guide describe the event at the regional level and do not give a damage count for Marion County, so the roof record for each address is what matters.
Key takeaways
- The derecho of 10 August 2020 brought widespread wind damage across central Indiana, with trees and power lines down.
- Damage from a derecho is patchy, so the storm record for the address is the first thing to read.
- Wind marks, limb damage and older wear should be recorded in separate sections of the roof file.
- A tarp or a temporary seal protects an open roof while the repair is planned.
- Regional figures for the derecho are not a damage count for any county, and this guide does not give one.
What does the National Weather Service record say about the derecho?
The NWS Indianapolis office's anniversary record describes the derecho of 10 August 2020 as bringing widespread wind damage across central Indiana, with trees and power lines down. It reports four deaths across the Midwest from the storm.
A derecho is a long, fast-moving line of wind, and it can flatten trees and bring down power lines across a wide area in a few hours. The damage it leaves is patchy, with some streets badly hit and the next street little changed. That patchiness is why the record is read address by address.
The same record lists the storm's effects on power and trees, which are the two things that most often reach a roof. A limb on a roof or a power line down near the house changes how the roof is approached, and both are recorded as part of the storm.
What did NOAA's estimate cover?
NOAA estimated the single day's cost of the storm at above $11 billion across the affected region. That is a regional figure, and it is not a damage count for Marion County or for any roof.
A regional estimate of this kind combines many kinds of loss, including trees, power, crops and property, across a wide area. It is useful for understanding the scale of the storm, and it should not be read as the cost to any one house.
For a roof, the figure matters less than the record for the address. An insurer or a technician needs the storm date, the warning or the record that covered the house, and the marks found on the roof.
What do roofs in the metro show after a derecho?
Roofs after a derecho show lifted and missing shingles at the edges and the ridge, bent ridge caps, dented metal and sometimes a limb through the covering. Gutters and downspouts can be bent or pulled away from the fascia.
Wind damage concentrates on the side of the house that faced the gust, and on the edges, the eaves, the rakes and the ridge. The shingles lift first, then the ridge caps, and the metal parts show the force of the gust on the house.
A limb is a different kind of damage. It can break the covering and the decking in one blow, and it can crack the rafters below. The limb is removed by a crew with the right equipment, and the framing is checked after the limb is off.
| Item | Why it is kept separate |
|---|---|
| Lifted or missing shingles at the edges | Wind damage at the eave and rake, which the repair re-seals or replaces |
| Bent or missing ridge caps | An open ridge that lets water into the attic at the top of the roof |
| Dents in vents, flashing and gutters | The metal shows the force and direction of the gust on the house |
| Limb through the covering | Tree damage, which is recorded apart from wind marks |
| Cracked rafters or decking under a limb | Structural damage that must be checked after the limb is removed |
| Older wear and past repairs | Kept apart so the storm is not blamed for what was already there |
| Downed power line near the house | A safety item that changes how the roof is approached |
| Storm date and warning for the address | Places the damage in time and ties the record to the storm |
How should the storm be recorded for an insurer?
The record should name the storm and its date, the warning or the record that covered the address, the marks on each slope and the metal, and any limb damage. The insurer decides what the policy covers and what it pays.
Photographs from the ground, taken before the limb is removed if that can be done safely, are a useful part of the record. The photographs and the crew's notes together show the damage as it was found.
The homeowner keeps the originals, the report and the repair invoices together. A claim is easier to make when the record is complete, and the record also serves the next repair and any later sale.
Gutters and downspouts often take wind damage that is easy to miss from the ground. A run bent at its brackets, a downspout pulled from its outlet or a split elbow can all be missed on a quick look. The inspection checks each of them, and the report records the gutter findings with the roof, because the same wind marked both.
What should be done first after a derecho?
Keep people clear of downed lines and of any limb on the roof, call the utility for lines, and then cover any open section of roof. The repair is staged after that, and the record is made as the work goes.
A downed power line is the first hazard. Anyone near it keeps well back and calls the utility, and the roof work waits until the area is safe. A limb on the roof is treated as unstable until a crew has secured it.
Once the area is safe, a tarp or a temporary seal goes over any opening, and the interior is protected below it. The permanent repair is then planned from the record.
What do trees do to the roof after a storm?
Trees leave debris and broken limbs on roofs, and the debris holds moisture against the covering. A limb that has been cut back improperly can still fall in the next storm, so the trees that overhang the roof are noted in the report.
Debris in the valleys and gutters holds water and can freeze in winter. A clear valley is less likely to back water under the shingles, and the gutters need clearing after a storm that brought down leaves and small limbs.
The technician notes trees that overhang the roof. Tree work itself is done by a company that does that work, and the technician can recommend one, but the roof crew does not cut the trees.
Once the house is safe, the technician checks the rooms below for weight and water. A ceiling that has taken a limb or a heavy load of wet insulation is assessed before anyone stands under it, and the drying plan follows the same steps as any water loss, with wet materials removed where they are soaked.
Where do the record's limits lie?
The record shows what the storm did to the address, but it cannot show a county-wide damage count or the value of any claim. The sources for this guide did not give a Marion County damage count for the derecho.
A single record for a house is complete for that house and no more. It is not a survey of the neighborhood, and it does not say what the policy will pay. Those are the insurer's decisions and the policy's terms.
The homeowner should read the record for what it is: a dated account of the damage at the address, with the marks kept apart from wear. That account is what a claim and a repair both need.
Frequently asked questions
Was my street hit by the derecho?
The record for the address decides it. A storm record for the house names whether the storm reached it, and the inspection shows what the roof has. The sources here do not give a street-level account.
Should I cut a fallen limb off my roof myself?
No. A limb on a roof can roll or shift when it is cut. Keep people clear and call a crew with the right equipment.
Does a derecho count as a covered loss?
The insurer decides under the policy. Wind and limb damage are commonly treated as sudden losses, but the terms of the policy decide the result.
Why does the storm record matter for a repair?
It places the damage in time and separates it from wear, so the repair is planned for the right damage and any claim is clear about what the storm did.
What if my roof had repairs before the storm?
The record notes the earlier repairs and their dates where they are known. Old patches can look like storm damage, and the report separates them.
Who do I call after a storm of this kind?
Call (833) 751-2102. The line is answered around the clock, and a crew is sent as soon as one is free, although storm roads can slow the trip.
Should I keep the fallen limb as evidence?
Keep photographs rather than the limb itself, unless the insurer asks for it. The crew removes the limb in pieces, and the record notes the size and the location of the damage it caused. Photographs taken before removal are the most useful evidence.
Sources
- National Weather Service, Indianapolis office, 2020 derecho anniversary record
- National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database
- Federal Emergency Management Agency, home protection information
This guide is general information for Marion County homeowners, not a substitute for an on-site inspection. Prices are estimates. See our disclaimer.