Storm Damage Restoration: Truss Repair From Tree Falls

Storm damage can be an unexpected and unwelcome guest. Storm damage never seems to strike at a convenient time.You may find yourself wishing you had removed that large tree from your lawn prior to it crushing your roof and damaging your attic trusses. What a headache. 

We get it — dealing with storm damage can feel overwhelming, especially when your home’s structure is affected.

As an engineering firm, storm damage restoration is one of our most common calls. Especially for things like broken trusses or other structural components of a home, barn, shop or shed. 

So, what can be done? 

Will insurance cover the damages or storm clean up? How much will storm damage restoration cost? Can my attic or roof truss be fixed? 

We will cover these topics below. Read on for answers. 

What Is Storm Damage Restoration?

Storm damage restoration is the process of restoring homes, barns, shops and sheds to their former condition prior to a weather pattern causing damages. 

These weather patterns could be anything from tornados, thunderstorms, hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding or the like. 

This article will primarily focus on storm damage restoration occurring in the northern areas of the United States. Tree falls due to severe thunderstorms are the most common cause of damage in these areas. 

If a large tree falls on a home, there is usually some form of structural damage. We will walk you through the process of contacting insurance, a contractor and the engineer’s role in remediating the situation. 

Storm Damage Roof Restoration-

Storm damage roof restoration is the process of repairing and rebuilding a roof that has been affected by severe weather events such as hail, wind, heavy rain, or fallen trees. Prompt attention is critical to prevent leaks, interior damage, and long-term structural issues.

The Roof Restoration Process

1. Initial Inspection
A thorough inspection is the first step. Homeowners often begin with a visual check, but a professional inspection is essential to identify hidden damage. A professional contractor should perform the inspection. If the contractor suspects structural damage, they may suggest a structural engineering inspection. Structural engineers can play a key role here by assessing whether the storm has compromised the roof’s integrity or the overall stability of the home.

Note- Call a contractor first, not an insurance appraiser. This will automatically start a claim before you may be ready to. 

2. Temporary Protection
If damage is significant, contractors may install tarps or temporary coverings to prevent water intrusion while permanent repairs are planned.

3. Damage Assessment & Reporting
Detailed documentation—photos, notes, and professional reports—are prepared. In many cases, structural engineers provide assessments that support insurance claims by clearly outlining the extent of the damage and any safety concerns.

4. Repair or Replacement
Depending on severity, restoration may involve replacing missing shingles, repairing flashing, fixing gutters, or in some cases, a full roof replacement. If structural damage is found, the repair plan will include reinforcement or reconstruction based on engineering recommendations.

5. Insurance Coordination
Most storm damage restoration involves working with insurance providers. Professional reports, especially from engineers, can speed up approvals and ensure proper coverage.

6. Final Inspection
Once repairs are complete, a final inspection—often including a structural engineer’s evaluation—confirms that the roof is safe, stable, and ready to protect the home against future storms.

Does Insurance Pay For Storm Clean Up: When To File A Claim (and When to Pay Out of Pocket)

The first question most people ask when they look at their property after a storm is, “Will my insurance cover these damages?”. Witnessing your crushed roof due to a tree fall can definitely be a stressor especially knowing how expensive structural damage can be to repair. 

Or, maybe you’re wondering if there’s enough damage to justify filing a claim. 

It’s a tough situation. 

So, will your insurance cover the damages, and, if so, does it make sense to file a claim? It’s not a straightforward yes or no, but we will walk you through the steps to find answers below. 

Step 1) First off, each and every insurance company does things a bit differently. You need to get out your policy and verify that the damage done is covered.

For instance, a tree falling on your home should be covered under many policies. However, if the insurance company can prove negligence, it may not be covered. 

What may be considered negligence? Was that tree old and rotted? Should it have been removed long ago? If so, the insurance company may not pay out stating that, as the homeowner, you did not keep up on proper maintenance. 

Step 2) The next step is to start gathering some professional opinions. Before we jump into this, we want to touch on the pro tip below (worth the read). 

PRO TIP- the minute you have an insurance adjuster on your property, you have started a claim. Say goodbye to your zero claim discount on your policy. It does not matter if that claim pays out or not. You have started a claim and therefore your payment will increase on your policy oftentimes at 10%. 

There are many reasons homeowners may NOT want to file a claim: 

• High deductibles: Home insurance policy deductibles continue to climb. Some deductibles can be as high as $5,000. If you only have $3,000 in damage, it would not make sense to file a claim. You would lose any zero claim discounts you had and your insurance policy costs would go up on top of you being responsible to pay out of pocket for damages. 
• Coverage issues: Insurance policy language may not be written in a straightforward manner. It may create gray areas on what is actually covered. Sometimes only a small fraction of the damages will be covered. If this is the case, it would not be worth it to move forward with a claim. 
• Fears of being “dropped”: Insurance companies are in the business of managing risk. If they view you as a high risk, they can choose not to renew your policy at the end of the term. This usually happens when a homeowner files multiple claims in a shorter period of time

Back to hiring a professional. Before hiring an insurance adjuster, get a contractor on site. 

Contractors have the eye to know how much damage is present and can provide you with feedback on whether it’s worth it to file a claim or if paying out of pocket would make more sense. 

They also have years of experience dealing with insurance companies which may work in your favor as far as getting more covered. Sometimes an insurance company may only want to patch or replace a certain section of your roof. However, if your contractor suspects additional damage in other regions of the roof, they can fight to get coverage. 

It’s also one more thing off of your plate. The contractor will take the lead in negotiating with insurance, hiring an engineer if needed, etc. 

Ask your contractor how much of the damage they believe insurance will cover. Will they cover a structural engineer? If structural damage has occurred, the engineering fees should also be covered by insurance. 

What Is A Structural Engineers Role In Storm Damage Restoration? 

A structural engineer can play a critical role in storm damage restoration. 

Typically, a homeowner would have a contractor out first to inspect the damage that has occurred. If the contractor notices that structural damage is present, they will call for a structural engineering inspection. Your insurance company would require this as well in order to move forward with a claim. 

How Does This Process Look? 

CBS was called out to this job site to inspect the property after a tree landed on the home. Structural components needed to be repaired requiring structural engineering. 

Step 1) The structural engineer will come on site and perform a visual inspection. Photos will be taken in order to document existing damage. They may require entry to the basement, roof or other hard to access areas of the home depending on where the issues lie. 

Step 2) The structural engineer will bring their collected notes, measurements and photos back to the office for analysis. Mathematical calculations will be computed in order to ensure their construction design solutions will transfer loads properly and sustain the test of time. 

Step 3) A report, scope of work and/or drawing will be generated for the client. The contractor can utilize these documents to implement the engineer approved designs. A copy can be submitted to your insurance company as well. 

Let’s walk you through a real life example. We will stick with the tree fall example. 

Step 1) Structural engineering inspection 

Your neighbor’s tree fell on your house. The first thing you may do is call a contractor on site. The contractor will notice that rafters have been damaged. Since these are structural components, they will contact a structural engineering company who will perform an inspection. 

Check out the photos below. The neighbor’s tree fell over during a storm and landed on this client’s garage. 

As the photo depicts, the original portion of the garage had some structural damage to the rafters. The garage addition which was constructed with trusses, had no damage. See the photos below. 

Step 2) The structural engineer brings their collected data back to the office to design a fix- On this specific job, the trusses were untouched in the newer portion of the garage. There was damaged roof sheathing and rafters that needed to be repaired in the original garage. 

The structural engineer looks at the whole picture and creates engineering design solutions to remedy the damaged members. 

Note- Trusses and rafters can be tricky. The visual inspections are often quick. Where the real work happens is back at the office. Every single component of a roof truss or attic truss has compression and tension on it. So, in order for a structural engineer to recommend the correct fix, they must do some serious math. They need to engineer each individual part of that truss to make sure the loads are being transferred correctly with the remediation solution. Rafters are a similar situation. 

Step 3) The engineering report and scope of work is delivered to the client. Complete Building Solution’s design and recommendations were delivered to the client. Their contractor was able to utilize the report to remediate the damage. 

This same process would take place in many other storm damage restoration situations whether damage occurred to the roof, attic, siding, foundation, beams/columns etc. 

Average Payout For FEMA Disaster Relief- 

In rare cases where widespread damage occurs, FEMA assistance may become available. FEMA funding is commonly directed to coastal regions vulnerable to hurricanes, states with a high risk of wildfires, flood-prone areas, and regions frequently affected by tornadoes.

FEMA disaster relief payments generally range between $3,400 and $5,000 per household, though the exact amount can vary. This financial support—usually offered as grants or through SBA loans—is meant to help with urgent needs like repairing a damaged home. However, the assistance is often limited, and many people don’t qualify due to minor damage or incomplete documentation.

It’s not very common for FEMA funding to be released in Minnesota. You can look back through the ages and will find that some funding has been released for flooding, wildfire threats etc. However, if you need storm damage restoration services, it’s more likely that you’ll need to file a claim with your traditional insurance provider or cover the costs out of pocket.

Storm Damage Restoration Services Near Me-

So, where do you find a storm damage restoration service near you?

Option 1) Grab a referral. Do you have a neighbor, friend or family member who has utilized a storm damage restoration service recently? Ask the realtor or real estate investor. They usually have a great team of people around them. 

Option 2) Hop on your favorite search engine. Google “storm restoration services near me”. You should see several options pop up. Notice how many reviews the company has. What are people saying about them? 

Option 3) Facebook neighborhood groups. Are you part of any neighborhood or city groups in your area? These are great places to ask for referrals—locals are often happy to share their experiences with different businesses, and their recommendations can be incredibly helpful.

Note: 

Check credentials: Make sure the company is licensed, bonded, and insured.

Storm Damage Restoration Services Near Minneapolis-

When severe weather strikes, finding a dependable restoration company is essential. For homeowners searching for storm damage repair in Minneapolis or the surrounding Twin Cities, CCM Restoration is a trusted local choice.

With over 100 Google reviews, CCM has earned a strong reputation for reliable service, quick response times, and high-quality workmanship. Their team specializes in a wide range of storm restoration services—including roof repair, siding replacement, water damage cleanup, and interior restoration.

Minneapolis homeowners consistently recommend CCM because they combine expert craftsmanship with clear communication and efficient project management. Whether you’ve experienced hail damage, flooding, or wind-related issues, CCM is equipped to restore your property quickly and thoroughly.

Conclusion: Protecting Your Home After Storm Damage

Storm damage can leave homeowners feeling stressed, uncertain, and overwhelmed — especially when structural issues like broken trusses or compromised roof systems are involved. But with the right team and a clear process, recovery doesn’t have to be chaotic. Storm damage restoration is about more than cleaning up debris or replacing materials — it begins with having a sound engineering plan that restores the safety, stability, and long-term integrity of your structure.

When a severe storm hits, taking quick, informed action is key. Start by contacting a reputable contractor to assess visible damage. If that contractor suspects structural concerns, the next step is to bring in a licensed structural engineer. A structural engineer evaluates how the storm has affected load-bearing members such as trusses, rafters, and beams, then designs a repair plan to ensure the structure performs safely for years to come.

Homeowners across Minnesota — particularly in the Minneapolis and Twin Cities area — are no strangers to powerful winds, heavy rains, and fallen trees. Partnering with a qualified structural engineering firm that understands local building codes and weather conditions is essential. Your contractor and engineer work hand in hand: the engineer provides the design and documentation needed, and the contractor implements those solutions in the field.

Ultimately, storm damage restoration is a coordinated effort. The engineering report is the foundation of that process — guiding safe reconstruction, supporting insurance claims, and protecting your investment.If your home or building has sustained storm damage or a fallen tree has impacted your roof or trusses, contact Complete Building Solutions at 763-544-3355. Our structural engineers provide trusted, code-compliant design solutions that bring clarity and safety back to your property after the storm.