What to look for from the ground
Walk the exterior and look for shingles in the yard, gutters pulled away from the fascia, siding panels that have lifted or come loose, and any obvious dents on soft metal surfaces like vent caps, which often show hail impact more clearly than shingles do from a distance. Check the attic if you have access, since a fresh water stain that was not there before is a strong sign the roof took damage even if nothing looks wrong from outside.
Photograph everything you find, including wide shots of each side of the house and closer shots of any specific damage, before anything is cleaned up or moved.
Documenting for a possible claim
Insurance adjusters work from a photo record and a line item scope, so the more organised your documentation is going in, the smoother the claim tends to move. Note the approximate date and time of the storm, keep any physical evidence like a fallen shingle or a piece of siding rather than discarding it, and avoid starting permanent repairs until an adjuster has had a chance to see the damage, unless a temporary dry-in is needed to prevent further water intrusion.
When to call for an inspection versus wait
Any active leak, or visible structural damage such as a section of decking exposed after shingles blew off, warrants a call the same day. Cosmetic damage with no active water intrusion, a few missing granules or a slightly lifted shingle tab, can typically wait a few days for a scheduled inspection rather than requiring an emergency visit.
Checking siding and gutters after the same storm
The same storm that damages a roof is often what loosens siding panels and knocks a gutter section out of alignment, so a full exterior walk rather than a roof only check tends to catch more of the actual damage in one visit. Look specifically at corners and the side of the house that faced the wind directly, since that is where siding damage concentrates most often across Union County storms.