By Chad T. Wilson Law Firm Staff — based on reporting by Texas Public Radio and KSAT, August 29, 2026. Read the original reporting here.
Strong storms swept through San Antonio on the night of Friday, August 28, and the cleanup is now underway across Bexar County. If you’re dealing with San Antonio storm damage, what you do in the first day or two — before you start clearing debris — can make or break your insurance claim.
The storms brought strong winds — with gusts reported around 60 mph — heavy rain, frequent lightning, and a flash-flood warning across the area. At the peak, more than 100,000 CPS Energy customers lost power, and tens of thousands were still in the dark the next morning, with officials warning that some outages could take days to restore. An outage on that scale is an early sign of a real wind-and-lightning event, even before anyone has tallied the structural damage.
It’s natural to want to clear the yard and patch the roof right away. But your insurer will evaluate your claim based on what you can show them, so before you clean up:
Storms like this one cause damage in several ways, and your policy may treat them differently. Wind-driven rain entering through a roof opening is usually handled differently from rising floodwater; an electrical surge that fries an appliance or HVAC unit is different again. Documenting exactly how the damage happened — wind, a fallen tree, water intrusion, or a power surge — helps make sure each covered loss is counted.
Most claims move forward without a fight. But if your insurer denies a clearly storm-related loss, blames “wear and tear,” or offers far less than your contractor’s estimate, you don’t have to accept that as the final word. Keep your documentation, get an independent inspection, and know that a lowball offer can be challenged.
At Chad T. Wilson Law Firm, our property damage lawyers represent Texas policyholders whose claims were denied, delayed, or underpaid — including storm damage claims across the San Antonio area. Headquartered in Webster, Texas, with more than 6,000 claims resolved, we help homeowners and businesses recover the full value of a covered loss. Denied, delayed, or underpaid? Contact us today for a free claim review.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice, and no outcome is guaranteed.
Sources: Texas Public Radio; KSAT; FOX San Antonio.
