Tropical Storm Bertha Leaves Baltimore-Area Roofs Battered

An active tropical season and a violent round of July storms have left homeowners across the Baltimore region checking their roofs for damage. As Tropical Storm Bertha reinforced an unusually stormy stretch and severe thunderstorms swept the Mid-Atlantic on July 22, the roofing contractors at Aero Residential Contractors are offering free storm-damage assessments to help homeowners in Towson, Middle River, Annapolis, and surrounding communities repair their homes before the next storm arrives.

Forecasters tracked Bertha as it made landfall along the Gulf Coast and fed into an already unsettled pattern, while a stalled frontal boundary set off severe thunderstorms across Southern Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic. Local meteorologist Justin Berk warned that July 22 carried a risk of damaging wind gusts topping 60 mph, isolated tornadoes, and rainfall of more than five inches in the hardest-hit bands; these are the kind of conditions that tear off shingles, lift flashing, and open roofs to leaks.

The damage reached neighborhoods well inland, not just the coast. According to the National Weather Service, the strongest storms produced wind gusts over 60 mph: enough to strip shingles, bend gutters, and drive water beneath roofing materials, where it can go unnoticed for weeks.

Advice for Homeowners in Affected Areas: Aero Residential Contractors shared that the most common calls they receive after a storm like this are about missing or lifted shingles, damaged flashing, and clogged or detached gutters. These problems are far cheaper to fix early than after a slow leak reaches the ceiling.

The firm encourages homeowners in the affected areas to do the following after a storm: Document everything. Photograph roofs, gutters, siding, and any interior water stains before making repairs, since insurers ask for evidence tied to the storm date. Watch for hidden damage. Lifted or cracked shingles, dented gutters, and displaced flashing often aren't visible from the ground and can lead to leaks weeks later. Know your insurance timelines. Many policies limit how long a homeowner has to file a storm-damage claim, so an early inspection protects both the roof and the claim. Prepare for future harsh weather. With the tropical season active, repairing damage now reduces the risk of a small problem becoming a major one in the next round of storms. It also helps to photograph the roof and exterior before an expected storm, while they are in good condition, so a clear "before" is on hand to compare against any new damage when filing a claim.

"Tropical storm Bertha caused severe thunderstorms and significant roof damage across towns like Towson, Middle River, and Annapolis," said Tj Ryder, owner and operator of Aero Residential Contractors. "Our team has decades of experience assessing tropical storm damage and can provide comprehensive quotes and repair to get homes back into shape for the next tropical storm."