Clean-up starts after homes, cars damaged from Mid-Missouri hailstorm

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

While Friday’s storm only lasted a few minutes, the hail and rain left their mark. Damage and dings to homes, cars, and even backyard grills could be seen across Mid-Missouri Saturday.

“I've probably been on probably 40 roofs today since eight o'clock this morning,” Mark, the sales manager with Premier Property Services out of Jefferson City said. “We're seeing anything from ping pong size hail to anything that's a baseball size hail. A lot of wind-driven hail that did damage to siding.”

The company is one of many restoration and construction businesses responding to property damage in the Columbia area. Many spent Saturday afternoon responding to calls and giving claim estimates for insurance. 

“I don't care if you put it on the day before this storm,” Joe McDevitt the owner of Black and White Roofing out of Lake Ozarks said. “It's going to be damaged. There's not a shingle out there that would take this hail.”

However, both companies gave warning. Storms like Friday's can put Columbia on a map, and make it more of a target for some companies trying to make a quick buck. 

“We've seen several contractors within the surrounding towns,” Wes Grant with Black and White Roofing said. “And that's probably going to be necessary, there's not enough contractors in Columbia to get all of the restoration done. But when you see contractors from out of state, it is good to be cautious.”

Recently, complaints surfaced against a business out of Springfield, claiming the company charged thousands without finishing work. The Missouri Attorney General filed charges against the company in February.

Grant recommended researching whatever company chosen for the restorations. He said staying local can help avoid any additional scams.

“Definitely do your research on your company,” McDevitt added.