After a thunderstorm, hail event, or windstorm (we see 50+ mph gusts in Madison County every spring), look for: missing or creased shingles on slopes and rakes, granules washed into gutters or downspouts, dented soft metals (vents, flashing, chimney caps, gutter tops), soft or spongy spots on the decking, water staining on ceilings or in the attic, and damaged chimney, pipe boot, or valley flashing. From the ground, storm damage often looks minor. From the roof, after a photo-documented inspection, the same roof can show dozens of bruised shingles and soft metal hits that meet the threshold for a covered claim under most North Alabama homeowners policies.