Weather · Hurricane prep

Hurricane roof preparation checklist

A storm-ready roof survives 130+ mph winds intact. Work through this checklist before hurricane season and again 72 hours before landfall.

72-hour checklist

• • Clean gutters and downspouts so pressure doesn't back up under shingles.
• • Photograph every roof slope with your phone (proof for claims).
• • Inspect ridge caps, hip caps, and pipe boots for lifted edges.
• • Trim overhanging tree limbs within 10 ft of the roof.
• • Anchor loose satellite dishes, solar panels, and roof HVAC units.

Why roofs fail in hurricanes

Hurricane roof failures almost never begin in the middle of a slope. They begin at an edge. Wind flowing over a roof creates uplift suction strongest at the rakes, eaves, ridges, and corners, and once one shingle or one piece of drip edge peels back, the wind gets underneath and unzips the field course by course. That is why building codes in coastal counties require enhanced fastening and sealed edge metal rather than thicker shingles.

The second failure mode is water intrusion through an intact roof. Wind-driven rain moves horizontally and can be pushed uphill under shingles, through ridge vents, and around pipe boots. A sealed roof deck — taped or membrane-covered plywood seams beneath the shingles — is the single highest-value upgrade for coastal homes and often earns a windstorm insurance credit.

Off-season upgrades worth the money

Ring-shank nails with six fasteners per shingle instead of four, a fully adhered starter strip at eaves and rakes, hurricane clips or straps tying rafters to the top plate, and impact-rated ridge vents all measurably raise the wind speed your roof survives. If you are already planning a replacement, ask your contractor to quote the FORTIFIED Roof standard; many insurers discount premiums for the certificate.

Document everything before the season starts. Date-stamped photos of every slope, your permit and invoice for the current roof, and the shingle wind rating make post-storm claims dramatically faster and reduce the chance an adjuster attributes new damage to pre-existing wear.

After landfall: the first 72 hours

Safety first — stay off a wet or damaged roof and watch for downed lines. From the ground, photograph all four elevations, the yard debris, and any interior stains. Tarp only what you can reach safely, keep receipts for emergency mitigation (policies reimburse reasonable mitigation costs), and file the claim before contacting contractors so your timeline is documented.

Be cautious with crews that arrive from out of state within hours. Verify a local license, a physical address, general liability and workers’ compensation coverage, and never pay in full up front.

Frequently asked questions