When a storm is named and headed toward the Gulf, your roof is the first line of defense and the last thing you want to be thinking about for the first time. The best hurricane prep happens weeks before a storm is in the forecast — not the night before landfall.
Here’s what to check and do before hurricane season peaks.
Before hurricane season (May–June)
Get a professional roof inspection. If your roof is more than ten years old or hasn’t been inspected in the past year, get eyes on it before storm season starts. A loose shingle, failing flashing, or compromised ridge vent that’s harmless in a normal rainstorm can become a serious entry point in 80+ mph winds. Catching it in June costs a fraction of what it costs after a storm.
Check your attic. Look for daylight coming through the decking, staining on rafters, or soft spots — signs that water has already been getting in. A roof under storm stress fails faster where it’s already weakened.
Trim trees and overhanging branches. Branches that overhang the roof are projectiles in a hurricane. Trim anything within striking distance of the house, and have any trees that look unhealthy or compromised assessed by an arborist before season. A falling tree is one of the most common sources of catastrophic roof damage in a storm.
Clear your gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters back water up under the roofline and add weight that increases the risk of detachment in high winds. Clean them out and confirm downspouts are draining away from the foundation.
Review your insurance coverage. Before you need it is the only useful time to understand your wind and hail deductible, whether your policy is RCV or ACV, and what documentation your insurer requires for a claim. Check our guide on Texas homeowner insurance and hail damage for a full breakdown.
When a storm is approaching
Don’t get on your roof. Once a storm is within 72 hours, the window for safe roofwork is essentially closed. Anything that wasn’t addressed before is staying as-is until the storm passes.
Photograph your roof from the ground. Date-stamped photos of your roof’s current condition before a storm hits are valuable evidence for any claim that follows. Take them from multiple angles and document any existing damage so it can’t be attributed to the new storm.
Move patio furniture, potted plants, and loose items indoors. Anything that can become airborne in high winds should be off the patio and secured before the storm arrives. Patio furniture through a window is a worse outcome than a weathered sofa in your living room for a day.
Know where your tarps are. If your roof sustains damage, emergency tarping in the immediate aftermath protects against interior water damage before permanent repairs can be made. RCI Roofing offers free emergency tarping after storm damage — save our number before the storm, not after.
After the storm passes
Stay off the roof. Storm-damaged roofs are unstable, often wet, and potentially compromised in ways not visible from the surface. Let a professional assess it before anyone walks it.
Document everything before cleanup. Take photos and video of all visible damage — inside and outside — before moving anything or starting any cleanup. Your insurance claim depends on this documentation.
Call a trusted local roofer before your insurer. An inspection from a roofer who knows what storm damage actually looks like means you go into the claims conversation knowing what you’re dealing with. We’ll send a project manager to meet with your adjuster at no charge.
File your claim promptly. Most Texas policies have a filing window after the storm date. Don’t wait.
The simplest hurricane prep advice we can give: don’t let storm season arrive before you’ve thought about your roof. A free inspection in May is the cheapest insurance you can buy.
