Roofing contractors swamped with calls from storm damage

The area’s roofing contractors have been deluged with phone calls about wind damage following Tuesday’s storm.

“I had 170 calls yesterday,” said Steve Crump, the owner of Crump Roofing, which does business in both North Idaho and Spokane. “I’ve been in the roofing business for 30 years. That’s the most I’ve ever had.”

Crump was scrambling to return the rapid-fire calls so his voicemail wouldn’t fill up and stop taking messages.

Property owners are trying to get estimates for repairs so they can submit insurance claims, Crump said. Most were dealing with shingles that blew off during the high winds. Some of the roofs he looked at had minor damage; others had lost half their shingles.

Crump had one word of advice Thursday for property owners: patience.

“All of the roofing companies are totally overwhelmed right now,” he said.