Ann Arbor Severe Wind Damage Response — April 15, 2026

A National Weather Service tornado warning was issued for portions of Washtenaw County today, April 15, 2026, with reports of severe wind gusts around 80 mph plus. If you are dealing with severe wind damage tonight, Prime Restoration is dispatching emergency crews across Washtenaw County and this guide walks you through what to do in the next twelve hours.

Call (586) 277-1069 for emergency tarping and water mitigation. We dispatch as quickly as crew availability and road conditions allow; response times vary during active weather events.

What We Know About the April 15 Washtenaw County Storm

Severe weather moved through Washtenaw County on April 15, 2026, with a tornado warning issued for portions of the area and reports of severe wind gusts around 80 mph plus. For the official warning polygon, storm report, and peak wind readings, check the National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac office archive at weather.gov/dtx. If your property was damaged, document conditions and contact your insurance carrier.

Ann Arbor Roof Damage Patterns

At severe wind speeds, common damage patterns we see across our service area include:

• Shingle field loss on windward slopes, especially on older homes.
• Chimney masonry failure on older homes with aged mortar.
• Tree impact through the roof deck. Mature trees down on homes across Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities.
• Window and sunroom glazing failure from debris impact.

Immediate Safety and Documentation Steps Tonight

Before you think about insurance, think about survival. Shut off power at the main if water is entering any room with electrical outlets. Shut off gas at the meter if you smell anything. Stay out of the attic until daylight. Assume every downed wire is live.

Once you are safe, start documenting. Your phone is the most important tool you own right now. Walk the exterior from the sidewalk and shoot video of every elevation of the house. Get wide shots that include a recognizable landmark so the timestamp and location are unambiguous. Shoot the street. Shoot the neighbor's damage. Shoot the downed trees. Our detailed windstorm photo and claim documentation playbook walks through exactly what an adjuster needs to see and in what order, with the specific Xactimate line items that tend to get missed on Ann Arbor wind claims.

Do not climb onto the roof. Do not tarp anything yourself in the dark on a wet deck. If water is actively entering, move furniture, pull rugs, and set buckets. Then call (586) 277-1069 and let our crew handle the tarping when they arrive.

Insurance Claims After Severe Wind Events

Wind damage is a named peril on most Michigan homeowners policies, but deductibles, matching, and Additional Living Expense coverage all depend on your specific policy wording. Contact your insurance carrier to open a claim and follow their instructions. For policy interpretation or claim disputes, consult your carrier, a licensed insurance professional, or an attorney. Prime Restoration is a restoration contractor and does not provide insurance or legal advice.

Emergency Tarping and Water Mitigation in Washtenaw County Tonight

Prime Restoration runs 24/7 emergency dispatch across Washtenaw County alongside our Macomb and Oakland County response. For severe wind damage calls tonight, we are handling three things immediately on every stop:

• Self-adhered membrane roof tarping, not a blue plastic sheet. A real tarp mechanically fastened to sound decking with cap nails, sealed at all edges, rated to shed water through the next rain cell.
• Water extraction and structural drying with truck-mounted extractors, commercial dehumidifiers, and air movers. Paper-faced drywall and carpet pad have a 48-hour window before microbial growth becomes a second claim.
• Detailed photo and moisture documentation of our restoration work that you can share with your insurer.

Shelter in Place, or Leave Tonight?

If any of the following are true, leave tonight and find a hotel west of the affected area:

• You can see sky from inside any room.
• Any exterior wall is visibly out of plumb, bowed, or separated from the foundation.
• You hear ongoing creaking, popping, or settling sounds.
• Gas smell of any kind.
• Water is entering an electrical panel or near any outlet you cannot de-energize.
• A tree is resting on the structure, even if it looks stable.

If none of those are true and the roof envelope is mostly intact, you can shelter in a lower interior room. Keep shoes on. Keep a flashlight, phone, and car keys within arm's reach.

Call Prime Restoration Now

Severe wind damage is serious but survivable. The homeowners who come out of this cleanly will be the ones who slow down tonight, stay safe, document thoroughly, and get professional emergency mitigation onsite as quickly as possible. Call (586) 277-1069 and we will dispatch across Washtenaw County as quickly as crew availability and road conditions allow; response times vary during active weather events. Our crews are also running the same system's eastern track, and if you have family in Macomb County affected by the windstorm, see our Macomb County windstorm response guide for local instructions. Stay safe, charge your phone, and let the professionals handle the roof.

Prime Restoration is a Michigan restoration contractor. We are not a licensed insurance professional, insurance agent, or law firm, and nothing in this article is legal, insurance, electrical, plumbing, or engineering advice. For policy questions contact your insurance agent, carrier, or a licensed insurance professional or attorney.