Wind Damage Assessment: Identifying Storm Damage on Your Roof

North Alabama experiences significant wind events—severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, and occasional tornadoes. These events can damage roofs in ways that aren't always obvious. Knowing how to assess potential wind damage helps you protect your home and navigate insurance claims effectively.

At River City Roofing Solutions, we've assessed thousands of wind-damaged roofs across Decatur, Huntsville, Madison, and the Tennessee Valley. Here's what homeowners need to know.

How Wind Damages Roofs

Wind affects roofs through several mechanisms.

Uplift occurs when wind creates negative pressure above the roof surface, literally lifting shingles. This is most severe at edges, corners, and ridges where wind accelerates.

Direct force from wind bends, lifts, or tears shingles.

Debris impact damages shingles when wind carries branches, debris, or objects onto the roof.

Repeated flexing during extended wind events can fatigue materials even without obvious damage.

Understanding these mechanisms helps you know where to look for damage.

Common Wind Damage Patterns

Wind damage typically follows predictable patterns.

Edges and corners are most vulnerable due to wind acceleration effects. Missing or lifted shingles often appear first at these locations.

Ridge lines experience high wind forces and often show damage along the roof peak.

Hip ridges (angled ridges on hip roofs) are similarly vulnerable.

Windward sides facing the prevailing wind direction typically show more damage than leeward sides.

Penetrations like vents and chimneys create turbulence that can damage surrounding shingles.

Types of Visible Wind Damage

Look for these specific damage types after wind events.

Missing shingles—completely torn off by wind.

Lifted shingles—shingles where the edge has lifted, breaking the self-seal strip.

Creased or folded shingles—bent by wind without being removed.

Exposed fastener heads where shingles have lifted.

Damaged ridge caps—these are particularly vulnerable to wind.

Debris on roof—fallen branches, blown objects, or materials from other structures.

Damaged flashing—bent, lifted, or displaced by wind.

Ground-Level Assessment

Start your assessment from the ground—safely.

Walk around your home and look up at all roof surfaces.

Use binoculars for a closer look at specific areas.

Look for obvious missing shingles, debris on roof, or visible damage.

Check for shingles in your yard—they came from somewhere.

Examine your siding, windows, and ground-level elements for wind damage indicators.

Check your gutters for shingle pieces or excessive granules.

If you see significant damage from the ground, you likely have more that isn't visible.

Attic Indicators

Your attic can reveal wind damage effects.

Look for new daylight coming through the roof (in darkness, close all vents and look for light penetration).

Check for water stains that appeared after the wind event.

Look for debris that blew in through damaged areas.

Inspect the underside of the deck for visible damage.

Fresh damage looks different from old staining—note when you observe new issues.

What Professional Inspectors Look For

Professional inspection reveals damage invisible from the ground.

Lifted seal strips where shingles can be lifted but appear normal from below.

Cracked shingles that only show when inspected closely.

Damaged underlayment visible only when shingles are lifted.

Compromised flashing at penetrations.

Pattern analysis confirming wind as the damage cause.

Deck damage from severe impacts or uplift.

Professional inspection provides documentation for insurance claims.

Wind Damage Versus Normal Wear

Insurance covers sudden storm damage, not wear and tear. Understanding the difference matters.

Wind damage appears suddenly after an event—it wasn't there before.

Wear damage develops gradually over time.

Wind damage typically shows patterns related to wind effects—edges, corners, windward faces.

Wear damage tends to be more uniform across the roof.

Multiple damaged roofs in your neighborhood suggests an event caused damage.

Insurance adjusters are trained to distinguish between wind damage and wear.

Insurance Claim Process

If you believe you have wind damage:

Document immediately with photos and video, dated.

Report to your insurance company promptly—most policies require timely reporting.

Get a professional inspection from a qualified contractor.

Don't make permanent repairs before the adjuster inspects (emergency tarping is fine).

Be present for the adjuster's inspection if possible.

Request contractor assistance—reputable contractors can meet with adjusters to ensure damage is properly documented.

Working With Your Insurance Company

Understanding the process helps avoid problems.

Your deductible applies—know this amount before filing.

Adjusters may miss damage—if you disagree with assessment, you can request re-inspection.

Supplements address damage discovered during repair that wasn't in original estimate.

Your contractor should provide detailed scope of work documentation.

Keep records of all communications and documentation.

Temporary Protection

While awaiting permanent repairs, protect your home.

Tarping covers exposed areas to prevent water intrusion.

Board over any openings in the roof.

Remove debris that could cause additional damage or become projectiles in future wind.

Document all temporary repairs for insurance.

Emergency protection costs are typically covered by insurance.

When to Call Professionals

Call for professional assessment when:

You see any visible damage from the ground.

Your neighbors have confirmed damage (if they do, you likely do too).

The wind event was significant (60+ mph winds, tornado warning in your area).

You hear unusual sounds from your roof during or after the event.

You notice any new leaking or water intrusion after the event.

At River City Roofing Solutions, we provide thorough wind damage assessments for homeowners throughout North Alabama. We document damage properly, work with insurance companies, and ensure your home is protected. After the next major wind event, give us a call—it's better to know than to wonder.