Storm damage remains unrepaired after Jan. tornadoes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Those bright blue tarps atop homes in northeastern Louisville still highlight the damage from a rare tornado last month.

Some of the repair work is taking longer than homeowners would like, for reasons not always within their control.

A phone call Monday brought the news Susan Shortt waited almost six weeks to hear.

The roofers are coming to replace the roof on her Springbrooke subdivision home -- damaged in the Jan. 17 tornado.

"When that wind comes under it, it raises it up, and even though it doesn't look that bad, it has pulled nails loose throughout the whole thing, so they have to start over," Shortt said.

Tell-tale tarps in her neighborhood mark the roofs still to be fixed.

Many neighbors told WDRB their insurance companies and roofers paid for and fixed damage quickly.

Others have a variety of reasons still to wait.

Tim Conder is president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Kentucky, a statewide group of insurance agents not affiliated with one company.

"Sometimes the insured wants to use a particular roofer, so they're willing to wait. Sometimes the insurance company has offered a settlement under the terms of the contract and the insured is not happy with it or they want to do some more negotiation," Conder said.

Roofers still have lists of customers pending.

One working on Monday said he's been blessed with mild work weather since the storm, especially the t-shirt weather in February.

There's one more practical reason for Susan Shortt.

"It's just a matter of waiting for shingles," she said.

Conder said not to be surprised if there's an increase in your next premium -- though that is not automatic for everyone after a storm.

"Insurance companies are forced to increase rates, and we are seeing that."

The storm that damaged parts of northeast Louisville and Oldham County was one of nine tornadoes in the Louisville area Jan. 17.