When hurricane season is
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and the busiest stretch comes around early to mid September. The Coastal Bend has seen what a major storm can do. Plan your roof work so it is finished well before then.
Before the season: the roof checklist
- Edge metal and copings. Wind damage usually starts at the edges and corners. Loose, rusted or missing fasteners let wind get under the roof and peel it back.
- Seams and flashings. Open laps and loose flashings at walls and curbs are where wind-driven rain gets in.
- Rooftop equipment. Make sure HVAC units, vents and exhaust hoods are secured, and that curbs and flashings around them are sound.
- Loose items. Remove anything that can become a flying object: old materials, panels, debris and unused equipment.
- Drains and scuppers. Clear every drain, overflow drain and scupper. Hurricane rain falls fast, and a blocked drain can overload the roof.
- Lightning protection. If your building has a lightning protection system, check that its parts are attached.
- Small repairs. Fix every small problem found. A minor opening before a storm can become a torn roof during one.
Get your paperwork ready
Take dated photos of the whole roof, inside ceilings and the roof edges. Keep your roof warranty, windstorm certificate, inspection reports and repair invoices together, with copies stored off site or in the cloud. Records showing the roof's condition before a storm can help with a claim. Ask your insurance agent what your policy needs.
When a storm is on the way
Do the last-minute items only if it is safe and there is time: clear drains, tie down or bring in loose items, and move inventory and equipment away from known leak areas. Never send anyone on the roof once wind picks up.
After the storm
- Keep people off the roof and out of areas with water near electricity.
- Photograph damage inside and outside from the ground.
- Call a commercial roofer for an inspection and temporary dry-in if needed. Our 24/7 line, (361) 320-3131, is answered day or night.
- Contact your insurance company. Our storm damage guide covers the first steps.
Why roof edges matter so much
When wind blows over a building, it creates uplift, a pull upward on the roof, and the pull is strongest at the edges and corners. If edge metal is loose or the membrane at the perimeter is not well secured, wind can get a grip and peel the roof back, sometimes across large areas. That is why a pre-season inspection focuses hard on the perimeter: coping caps, gutters, drip edge, termination bars and the fastening at corners. Tightening these is one of the most valuable things you can do before a storm.
Rooftop equipment in high wind
HVAC units, exhaust fans and vents that are not properly secured can shift or blow loose, tearing the roof around them and letting rain pour in. Ask your mechanical contractor to confirm equipment is fastened to its curbs and stands. We check the curb flashings and the roof around each unit, and point out anything that looks loose.
Make a simple storm plan for the building
- Who is responsible for checking the building before and after a storm.
- Phone numbers for your roofer, your insurer and your agent, saved in more than one place.
- Where the roof warranty, windstorm certificate and pre-storm photos are kept.
- Which areas of the building hold equipment or inventory that must be moved or covered.
- How tenants or staff will report leaks after the storm.
A one-page plan written in May saves hours of confusion in September.
Plan the timing too. Roofers on the Coastal Bend get busy in late spring as owners prepare, and after a storm every crew in the area is booked. Scheduling your inspection and repairs in March or April gives you the best chance to have everything done before June 1.
Build the next roof for hurricanes
If your roof is near the end of its life, replacing it before the season is the strongest move. A roof built to the Texas windstorm code, with well-fastened edges and corners, is your best protection. See our guide to hurricane-ready Duro-Last roofs and our windstorm certification guide. This guide is not insurance or legal advice.
Meet the owners
Nelson Roof Contracting is owned by Nelson and Esperanza Alvarado. Nelson brings over 50 years of hands-on roofing experience to Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend, and every job is supervised. When you call, you are calling a family business that has been on these roofs for decades.
Office (361) 683-1733
24/7 line (361) 320-3131
Updated October 2026 by Nelson Roof Contracting, Corpus Christi, TX.