During a hurricane, wind-driven rain can get in through lifted shingles, damaged flashing, vents and soffits. Your safety comes first: never go into the attic during high winds or onto the roof during or right after a storm.
During the storm
- Stay in an interior room away from windows. Follow official evacuation orders.
- Put buckets and towels under drips and move valuables and electronics away.
- If a ceiling sags or water is near light fixtures, keep people away and turn off that circuit at the breaker only if you can reach it safely.
After the wind drops
- Look at the roof from the ground for missing shingles, tiles or exposed decking. Watch for downed power lines.
- Photograph exterior and interior damage before any temporary repairs.
- Get the opening covered (tarped) as soon as it is safe; most policies expect reasonable steps to prevent more damage. Keep receipts.
Inside
Wet attic insulation and ceiling drywall usually need removal. Florida humidity after a storm makes mold a fast follow-up problem.
More: mold after a hurricane and how a water damage claim works.
When to call for help
Call once it is safe if water came through ceilings or walls and needs extraction and drying. If you want a professional to take over, call (813) 574-3203 to be connected with a local water damage restoration company. The call is free; any work is agreed directly with the company.
Local flood risks, storm history and county resources: Punta Gorda, Pensacola, Panama City, or find your city.
General information, not legal or insurance advice. Check your policy and official sources.
Frequently asked questions
Does insurance cover a roof leak from a hurricane?
Wind damage to the roof and the resulting interior water damage is usually covered by homeowners insurance, subject to the separate hurricane deductible. Flooding from rising water is not; that needs a flood policy.
Should I tarp the roof myself?
Only if it is safe and you are comfortable on a ladder. Falls are a major cause of post-storm injuries. Many people hire someone to tarp.
More guides
- The first 24 hours after water damage
- How a Florida water damage insurance claim works
- What affects the cost of water damage restoration
- How to choose a water damage restoration company
- Does homeowners insurance cover water damage in Florida?
- Flood vs. water damage claims in Florida (NFIP explained)
- Mold after a hurricane: a Florida homeowner's guide
- Water heater burst or leaking: what to do right now
- Ceiling leaking after rain: what to do
- Washing machine flooded the floor: what to do
- AC drain line leaking: stop the water damage
- Slab leak signs in Florida homes
- Burst pipe: what to do in the first hour
- Sewage backup: cleanup safety and what to do