Direct answer
Protect people before property. Stay away from sagging ceilings, wet electrical fixtures, standing water near power, and any area with signs of collapse. Do not climb onto a wet or storm-damaged roof. When it is safe, contain dripping water, move vulnerable belongings, photograph the damage from inside, and request a written assessment that separates temporary mitigation from permanent repair.
Call emergency services first when
- A ceiling or roof section is sagging, cracking, or actively collapsing.
- Water is entering a light fixture, outlet, panel, appliance, or energized area.
- There is smoke, fire, a gas odor, downed power line, or another immediate life-safety threat.
- Officials have ordered evacuation or the structure was damaged by severe wind or flooding.
Safe first steps
- Move people and pets away from the affected room and the area directly below visible sagging.
- Call 911 or the utility for an immediate fire, electrical, gas, collapse, or downed-line hazard.
- If it can be done without entering water or approaching a wet panel, stop using electricity in the affected area.
- Place a container under a drip and move valuables only when the ceiling and floor appear stable.
- Take wide and close photographs from a safe interior location before cleanup changes the scene.
- Record when the leak began, the weather, affected rooms, and whether water is still entering.
Decision path
Is there a collapse, electrical, fire, gas, or evacuation hazard?
If yes: Leave the affected area and contact emergency services or the utility before calling a roofing contractor.
If no: Continue safe interior damage control and arrange a roof assessment.
Is rain still falling or is the roof wet?
If yes: Do not climb onto the roof. Ask whether safe temporary mitigation is possible and what must wait for conditions to improve.
If no: A qualified contractor can assess the source, but the written scope should still distinguish diagnosis, temporary work, and permanent repair.
Is this tied to a named storm or an insurance claim?
If yes: Preserve photos, dates, receipts, estimates, and communications; ask the insurer what inspection or documentation it requires before permanent work.
If no: Keep the same documentation so estimates can be compared and hidden damage can be tracked.
What to photograph and collect
- Photos of interior damage, the path of water, and visible exterior damage taken from the ground.
- Roof material and approximate age, if known.
- The first observed time, recent weather, and whether the leak stops when rain stops.
- Locations of attic access, active utilities, solar equipment, and previous repairs.
- Emergency-mitigation invoices, written estimates, and every proposed change order.
Questions to ask before authorizing work
- What evidence points to the source, and could the visible drip originate elsewhere?
- What is temporary mitigation, what is permanent repair, and what warranty applies to each?
- Will the written scope cover permits, decking discovered after opening, photos, cleanup, and change orders?
- Which Florida license applies to this work, and where can the current status be checked?
- How will the repair account for the existing roof system, wind requirements, and product approvals?
South Florida considerations
- South Florida wind-driven rain can move water far from the final interior drip, so the leak path needs diagnosis rather than a cosmetic patch.
- Permit and inspection requirements vary by jurisdiction and scope. Confirm the current rule with the city or county before work begins.
- After a storm, avoid anyone demanding immediate full payment, discouraging written scopes, or asking you to assign insurance benefits without independent review.
Do not
- Walking on a wet, damaged, or unfamiliar roof.
- Puncturing a bulging ceiling while standing beneath it.
- Touching wet electrical equipment or entering standing water near power.
- Signing an open-ended scope or relying on a verbal promise that insurance will pay.
Frequently asked questions
Should I tarp the roof myself?
Not when the roof is wet, steep, damaged, or unfamiliar. Falls and hidden structural damage can turn temporary mitigation into a medical emergency. Ask a qualified contractor what can be done safely.
Does the interior drip show the exact roof failure?
Not necessarily. Water can travel along decking, framing, insulation, or penetrations before it appears indoors. A written assessment should explain the evidence for the proposed repair.
Is a THP match a guarantee of the repair?
No. A request-specific match reflects current service, territory, evidence, and participation information. The homeowner must still review the contractor and written project terms.
Sources
- Hurricanes — Ready.gov; checked 2026-07-28.
- Floods — Ready.gov; checked 2026-07-28.
- Florida professional-license lookup — Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation; checked 2026-07-28.
- Building permits and inspections — City of Sunrise; checked 2026-07-28.
- Broward County Building Code — Broward County; checked 2026-07-28.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-28. Source review: THP editorial review against the official pages linked above. No independent medical, engineering, legal, or trade-expert review is claimed.