Macomb County Storm Damage: What to Do After High Winds, Lightning, Hail or Fallen Trees

September 3, 2026 has brought another round of dangerous severe weather to southeast Michigan. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning earlier today for southeastern Macomb County with radar-indicated 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail, and Macomb County is also included in a severe thunderstorm watch this afternoon and evening.

For homeowners and businesses in Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, St. Clair Shores, Roseville, Center Line and surrounding Macomb County communities, storms like these can cause far more than obvious roof damage. High winds, lightning, hail and falling trees can create structural damage, electrical problems and water intrusion that may not be fully visible at first.

Safety Comes First After a Severe Storm

If severe weather is still occurring, stay inside and follow official weather instructions. Stay away from downed power lines, damaged electrical equipment, unstable trees and areas where a roof or structure may have been compromised. If there is an immediate danger, fire, gas leak or medical emergency, call 911 before worrying about the insurance claim.

Once conditions are safe, document what you can from the ground or another safe location. Do not climb onto a damaged roof or attempt to move a large tree resting on a home, garage or commercial building yourself.

Common Macomb County Storm Damage ACS Can Help Document

A Tree or Large Limb Falls on Your Home

High winds can uproot trees or break major limbs, sending them through roofs, siding, garages, porches and other structures. The visible impact point may be only part of the loss. A fallen tree can damage roof framing, decking, insulation, ceilings, electrical wiring, gutters and interior finishes, and it can allow rainwater into the building.

Whether and how a loss is covered depends on the insurance policy, the cause of the damage and the facts of the claim. ACS can help document the full scope of physical damage and review the insurance company's estimate against what is actually required to repair the property.

Lightning Strikes and Electrical Damage

A lightning strike can damage a home or business even when there is no large hole in the roof. Electrical surges may affect wiring, circuit panels, HVAC equipment, appliances, electronics, security systems, garage-door equipment and other components. Lightning can also start fires or cause heat and smoke damage inside concealed areas.

If you suspect a lightning strike, do not continue using equipment that appears damaged. Preserve photographs, electrician reports, repair invoices and any damaged equipment until the claim has been properly documented.

High-Wind Damage to Roofs and Exteriors

Wind can lift or remove shingles, damage flashing, loosen siding, bend gutters, break windows and damage vents, fascia and exterior trim. A roof can also suffer damage that is difficult to see from the driveway. Once the roof system is compromised, rain can travel into attics, insulation, walls and ceilings.

Hail Damage

Quarter-size hail was reported as a hazard in today's Macomb County severe thunderstorm warning. Hail can damage shingles, metal roofing, siding, gutters, skylights, windows, HVAC components and vehicles. Some hail impacts are subtle and require a careful inspection to distinguish storm damage from ordinary wear.

Water Intrusion After Wind or Tree Damage

Rain entering through a storm-created opening can spread quickly. Water may affect drywall, insulation, flooring, cabinetry, electrical systems and personal or business property. Photographs taken early can be extremely important because emergency drying and temporary repairs may change the appearance of the loss.

What Should You Do After Storm Damage?

1. Protect people first. Do not enter unsafe areas, approach downed power lines or climb onto a damaged roof.

2. Photograph and video the damage. Capture the exterior, interior, fallen trees, damaged contents, water staining and surrounding conditions before cleanup whenever it is safe to do so.

3. Take reasonable temporary steps to prevent additional damage. This may include professional tarping, board-up work, water extraction or other emergency measures. Keep receipts and invoices.

4. Do not throw away damaged property too quickly. Your insurer may need photographs, inventories, receipts or an opportunity to inspect certain items.

5. Keep a claim file. Save emails, estimates, photographs, contractor reports, receipts and notes from conversations with the insurance company.

6. Consider getting help before agreeing that the carrier's first estimate represents the entire loss. Storm claims can involve multiple trades and hidden damage that may not appear in an initial inspection.

How Advocate Claims Services Helps After a Macomb County Storm

Advocate Claims Services is a Michigan-based public adjusting and loss consulting firm that represents policyholders, not the insurance company. After a serious storm loss, ACS can help homeowners and businesses understand and document the property insurance claim.

Depending on the claim, our work may include inspecting and documenting the damage, developing the scope of loss, reviewing repair estimates, organizing damaged contents, coordinating claim information, reviewing the carrier's estimate and communicating with the insurance company on the policyholder's behalf.

For larger commercial losses, we can also help address building damage, equipment, inventory and business-interruption issues when applicable under the policy.

Can ACS Help If the Insurance Company Already Inspected the Damage?

Yes, depending on the circumstances. Policyholders often contact ACS after an adjuster has inspected the property or after an initial estimate or payment has been issued. We can review the available documentation and discuss whether additional damage, scope or claim issues should be evaluated.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover a Tree Falling on a House?

Coverage depends on the policy and the cause of loss. When a covered event such as wind causes a tree to damage an insured structure, the resulting property damage may be covered, subject to the policy's terms, exclusions, limits and deductible. Tree removal and related costs can have separate conditions or limits. Review the actual policy rather than assuming every tree loss is handled the same way.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Lightning Damage?

Many property policies can provide coverage for direct physical damage caused by lightning, but the details depend on the policy and the particular damage involved. Electrical equipment, appliances, wiring and fire-related damage should be carefully documented so the claim reflects the actual scope of the loss.

Storm Damage in Macomb County? Start With a Claim Review

If today's storms damaged your home, commercial property or business in Macomb County, you do not have to sort through the claim alone. Advocate Claims Services can review the situation and discuss how public adjusting services may help.

Call 855-ACS-2-WIN (855-227-2946) or request a free claim review through Advocate Claims Services. Michigan is our home base, with select out-of-state large-loss representation considered where permitted.