Short answer: If an atmospheric river damages your roof, make the home safe first, contain the water, turn off power to any wet fixtures, and photograph the damage. Then call a roofer for emergency tarping rather than climbing up yourself. Report the claim to your insurer, and schedule a permanent repair once the storm passes.
Key takeaways
- Safety first: water, electricity and wet ceilings are a dangerous combination.
- Do not go on the roof during or right after a storm. Wet roofs are slick and wind is unpredictable.
- An emergency tarp, installed correctly, stops further damage until a permanent repair is possible.
- Photos and receipts from the first hours make insurance claims smoother.
What an atmospheric river does to a roof
Atmospheric rivers are long plumes of moisture that bring heavy, sustained rain to the Bay Area, often with strong winds. Several inches of rain over a day or two, pushed sideways by gusts, tests every part of a roof: lifted shingles, cracked tiles, worn flashing, blocked gutters and flat-roof drains. Saturated soil also brings down trees and branches. The result is often a leak that starts slowly and grows as the storm goes on.
Step 1: Make the home safe
- If water is near light fixtures, outlets or the electrical panel, turn off power to that area at the breaker if you can do so safely. If in doubt, call your utility or an electrician.
- Keep people and pets away from sagging ceilings. A bulging ceiling can be full of water and may collapse.
- If a tree has hit the house or lines are down, stay away and call 911 or your utility.
Step 2: Control the water inside
Put buckets or containers under drips, and lay towels around them. If a ceiling is bulging, a small hole made with a screwdriver at the lowest point, with a bucket underneath, lets the water drain in a controlled way and can prevent a larger collapse. Move furniture, electronics and rugs away from the leak, and cover what you cannot move with plastic. In the attic, a board or tarp laid over the joists can catch water before it reaches the ceiling, but only if you can get there safely.
Step 3: Document everything
Before cleanup, photograph and video the damage: ceilings, walls, floors, belongings, the attic, and any visible roof damage from the ground. Note the date and time. Keep receipts for anything you buy and for emergency services. These records matter for insurance. Our roof insurance claim guide walks through the full process.
Step 4: Get the roof tarped
Do not climb onto a wet, windy roof. Every storm season, people are hurt falling from roofs and ladders. Call a roofer with an emergency line. A proper emergency tarp:
- Covers the damaged area with generous overlap above it, ideally over the ridge so water cannot run under the top edge.
- Is secured with boards or approved fastening, not just bricks or sandbags that can blow off.
- Avoids creating new holes in good roofing wherever possible.
- Is photographed before and after installation for your records.
Our emergency roofing team runs a 24/7 line and documents tarping with photos in CompanyCam. During major storms, demand spikes, so call early.
Step 5: Dry out the house
Once water stops coming in, drying out quickly limits mold and damage. Run fans and dehumidifiers, remove soaked rugs and padding, and pull wet insulation from the attic if needed. For significant water in walls, ceilings or floors, a water damage restoration company can dry and test the structure. Insurers generally expect reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
Step 6: Report the claim
Call your insurer or use their app. Give the date, the cause, what you have done to protect the home and your photos. Ask about your coverage type and deductible. Keep a log of every conversation. If a contractor offers to cover your deductible or asks you to sign over your claim before a written contract, walk away.
Step 7: Plan the permanent repair
A tarp is temporary. Once the storm passes and the roof dries, a roofer should inspect the damage and recommend a repair or replacement. Expect the inspection to cover the damaged area, the flashing nearby, the attic and the decking if it was soaked. The answer depends on the roof’s age and condition. A localized repair may be enough; a roof near the end of its life may be better replaced. See repair vs replacement and our emergency roof repair guide.
Emergency response at a glance
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| First minutes | Safety, power off to wet fixtures, buckets and towels |
| First hour | Photos and video, move belongings, call for tarping |
| Same day | Tarp installed, report claim, start drying |
| After the storm | Inspection, written estimate, permanent repair |
Hillside and multi-story homes
On hillside homes and three-story San Francisco buildings, emergency tarping takes more setup: longer ladders, more anchoring and sometimes access through a neighbor’s side yard or a roof hatch. Crews also need safe footing in the dark and the wet. When you call, describe the house, the height and where the water is coming in. It helps the crew bring the right equipment the first time.
What not to do
- Do not climb on the roof during the storm.
- Do not use electrical devices in standing water.
- Do not throw away damaged items before photographing them.
- Do not sign contracts with door-to-door storm chasers. Check any contractor’s license on the CSLB website.
- Do not pay a large deposit. California caps home improvement down payments at $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less.
Preparing for the next one
Most atmospheric-river leaks come from problems that could have been found in the fall: clogged gutters, cracked pipe boots, lifted shingles and worn flashing. A fall inspection and gutter cleaning reduce the odds of an emergency. See our fall roof prep checklist and the top storm-season risks. We respond to emergencies across the region, including San Francisco, Oakland and San Rafael.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first if my roof leaks during a storm?
Make the area safe, turn off power to any wet fixtures, contain the water with buckets and towels, photograph the damage and call a roofer for emergency tarping.
Should I put a tarp on my roof myself?
Not during or right after a storm. Wet roofs are slippery and wind is unpredictable. A roofer can install and secure a tarp safely.
Does insurance pay for emergency tarping?
Reasonable temporary repairs to prevent further damage are often part of a covered claim. Keep receipts and photos, and check your policy.
How long can a tarp stay on a roof?
A tarp is a short-term fix to get through the storm. Schedule a permanent repair as soon as the weather allows.
Leak right now? Call our 24/7 emergency line at (415) 410-7917. For storm damage that can wait for a dry day, request a free inspection and written estimate.
