By Property Pros of Muncie | East Central Indiana’s Award-Winning Remodeling Contractor

Our community has been through a lot this past week. The severe storms that swept across Indiana starting August 11 brought a destructive derecho with damaging straight-line winds, followed by days of torrential rain and historic flooding across Delaware County. Muncie and Yorktown saw some of the heaviest impacts in the state, with evacuations, widespread power outages, and record rainfall. Our hearts go out to every family affected, and especially to those in our community who lost loved ones.

As the water recedes and cleanup begins across East Central Indiana, many homeowners are just now getting a good look at what the wind did to their homes. Here’s what to check, what to document, and how to work with your insurance company as you begin the recovery process.

Where Wind Damage Hides

A derecho produces sustained straight-line winds that can rival a tornado’s damage, and some of the gusts recorded in Indiana during this event exceeded severe thresholds by a wide margin. The tricky thing about wind damage is that it isn’t always obvious from the ground. A roof can lose shingles or have them creased and lifted without anything looking wrong from your driveway.

As you assess your property, look for these common signs of wind damage:

• Missing, lifted, or creased shingles, and shingle granules collecting in gutters and downspouts
• Damaged or missing flashing around chimneys, vents, and roof edges
• Loose, dented, or torn siding panels, especially on the sides that faced the wind
• Gutters pulled loose, bent, or clogged with storm debris
• Leaning or damaged fence sections, a very common casualty of straight-line winds
• Water stains on ceilings or in the attic, a sign wind opened a path for all that rain to get in

With the amount of rain that followed the wind, even small roof breaches may have let significant water into attics and wall cavities. If you see any interior staining, don’t wait. Moisture trapped in insulation and framing leads to mold and structural problems quickly, especially in August humidity.

Document Everything for Your Insurance Claim

Before any cleanup or temporary repairs, photograph and video everything from multiple angles. Capture wide shots showing the whole house and close-ups of specific damage. Keep receipts for tarps, plywood, or any emergency materials, as these costs are often reimbursable. Note the dates: the derecho hit our area on August 11, with flooding continuing through the week. Your insurer will want that timeline.

One important distinction: wind damage is typically covered under standard homeowner’s policies, while flood damage from rising water usually requires separate flood insurance. Many Delaware County homes experienced both this week. A professional inspection can help document which damage came from wind and wind-driven rain, which matters greatly for how your claim is handled.

Be Careful Who You Hire

Unfortunately, major storm events attract out-of-town storm chasers who canvass hard-hit neighborhoods, collect deposits, do quick or substandard work, and disappear. Before signing anything, verify that a contractor is local, established, and reachable. Ask where their office is. Check their reviews. Be wary of anyone who pressures you to sign an agreement on the spot or asks for large payments up front.

Property Pros of Muncie is right here in your community, with a brick-and-mortar location, in-house crews, and a reputation we’ve built project by project across East Central Indiana. We’ll still be here long after the storm chasers move on to the next town.

We Work With Your Insurance

Navigating a storm damage claim can feel overwhelming, especially in a week like this one. Our team provides thorough inspections, detailed documentation, and insurance-ready estimates for roofs, siding, gutters, and fences. We can communicate directly with your adjuster to make sure the full scope of damage is accounted for, so repairs are done right the first time.

Muncie, We’re Here to Help

Recovery from a week like this doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen, and it happens faster when neighbors help neighbors. If your home took damage in the recent storms, we’re ready to help you assess it, document it, and repair it.

Call the PROS today at 765.400.PROS (7767) to schedule a free storm damage inspection, or visit www.propertyprosmuncie.com. As Muncie’s Quest for the Best 2025 Winner for Best Home Remodeler, we’re proud to stand with our community as East Central Indiana rebuilds.

Property Pros Muncie – Licensed • Insured • Local

2560 W Kilgore Ave, Muncie, IN 47304