Storms in the Weirton area

Weirton straddles Hancock and Brooke counties on the Ohio River, and the valley gets its share of severe weather. In May 2024, FEMA declared major disaster DR-4787-WV for severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides from April 11 to 12, 2024. Hancock County was designated for both Individual Assistance and Public Assistance, Brooke County for Public Assistance, and Ohio and Marshall counties downriver were designated too. Most storm calls are smaller than that, though: a summer thunderstorm, a strong wind event, or a tree limb that comes down on one wall.

What storm damage to siding looks like

Missing or loose panels, usually on the side facing the wind, often starting at corners and edges.
Cracks, holes and chips from hail or flying debris; vinyl gets more brittle in cold weather and cracks more easily.
Dents in aluminum or steel siding and in gutters and trim nearby.
Exposed house wrap or sheathing, which lets rain in behind the walls if it is left open.
Impact damage from trees, which can bend framing as well as cladding.

If water has already reached inside walls or ceilings, mention it on the call; it changes what needs to be opened up.

Right after the storm

Stay safe. Keep clear of downed lines and unstable limbs. Don’t climb onto wet roofs or ladders to inspect.
Document first. West Virginia Emergency Management’s disaster recovery guidance says to take photos and video of the damage before cleaning up, contact your insurance company as soon as possible, and save receipts.
Limit further damage where it is safe to do so, for example by covering an open wall, and keep what you remove for the adjuster.
Call a siding contractor to look at the walls, the weather barrier and the trim.

Watch for storm-chasing scams

After storms, the West Virginia Attorney General warns that scammers canvass neighborhoods with deals that seem too good to be true, sometimes claiming they are working on nearby homes or are with the bank or insurer, and push for payment before any work starts. The office advises taking your time, getting the terms in writing from more than one company, asking for references, and checking that a contractor holds a valid license with the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board.

The same notice explains two cancellation rights. Door-to-door sales carry a three-day cancellation period. For roofing contracts tied to an insurance claim, state law gives five days to cancel, starting when the insurer says all or part of the claim isn’t covered (W. Va. Code §46A-6M-2). That law is written for roofing, so ask how cancellation works on a siding contract. Questions about a storm-repair offer can go to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.

Insurance and the permit

Insurance coverage and claim terms are set by your policy and your insurer, not by the contractor or this line. Many homeowners have the contractor and the adjuster look at the same damage. In Weirton, repair work still needs a city building permit before it starts (building permit ordinance), and the city’s “replace existing” application includes an asbestos and lead abatement statement that matters when old layers are disturbed.

How the call works

Call (304) 317-8115 and enter your 5-digit ZIP code if asked. You’ll be connected with an independent siding contractor who covers that ZIP, when one is available. Describe the storm, which walls were hit and whether water got in. The contractor sets the scope, schedule and terms with you directly. For broader work, see siding replacement in Weirton.

Storm-Torn Siding? Get It Looked At