Tropical Storm Bertha, which made landfall along the Gulf Coast and fed into an already unsettled weather pattern, has left homeowners across the Baltimore region checking their roofs for damage. The storm reinforced an unusually stormy stretch, and severe thunderstorms swept the Mid-Atlantic on July 22, causing significant roof damage in communities such as Towson, Middle River, and Annapolis.
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. 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 conditions are exactly what tears off shingles, lifts flashing, and opens roofs to leaks.
The damage reached neighborhoods well inland, not just the coast. Homeowners are now facing the aftermath, and many are unaware that hidden damage could lead to leaks weeks later. The roofing contractors at Aero Residential Contractors are offering free storm-damage assessments to help homeowners in the affected areas repair their homes before the next storm arrives.
"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."
The firm 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. They encourage homeowners to document everything by photographing roofs, gutters, siding, and any interior water stains before making repairs, since insurers ask for evidence tied to the storm date. They also advise watching for hidden damage, as lifted or cracked shingles, dented gutters, and displaced flashing often aren't visible from the ground and can lead to leaks weeks later.
Knowing insurance timelines is also crucial. 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. 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.
Aero Residential Contractors, a Middle River, Maryland-based roofing, gutter, and siding contractor, has served homeowners across the Baltimore region for 40 years. Licensed in Maryland (MHIC #95854) and available 24/7 for emergency roof repair, the firm handles roofing, siding and gutters, windows, and full-home remodeling. Their team works directly with homeowners on storm-damage assessments and insurance documentation. Homeowners in Towson, Middle River, Annapolis, and the surrounding area can contact the firm to schedule a free storm-damage assessment.
