Get the roof ready before your season starts: a storm checklist

Which season is yours

Storm seasons do not share a calendar. The dates below come straight from the agencies that track each hazard.

For the Atlantic, the Hurricane Center says an average season, based on 1991 to 2020, brings 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes, with the first hurricane tending to form in early to mid-August. If you are reading this in September, the current Atlantic season still runs until November 30.

Tornadoes keep their own schedule. The SPC tornado FAQ describes a general northward shift in tornado season from late winter through midsummer, and adds that tornadoes can happen any time of year.

The pre-season roof checklist

1. Book a professional inspection and make the repairs it finds. That is the first roof item in the IBHS April 2026 hurricane-season release.
2. Know how old your shingles are. The same IBHS release warns that aging asphalt shingles can fail at wind speeds far below hurricane force and let wind-driven rain into the house.
3. Cut back limbs over the roof. IBHS recommends trimming trees and branches near the roof to reduce wind and impact damage.
4. Clear gutters and downspouts. Both IBHS and Ready.gov list clearing drains and gutters, so heavy rain can leave the roof and the house.
5. Look at the garage door. IBHS calls it often the largest opening in the home and lists strengthening it among the season's projects.
6. Seal gaps and cracks. IBHS includes sealing exterior gaps to limit wind and water entry.
7. Review your insurance before a storm has a name. The National Weather Service advises reviewing your policies for adequate coverage of your home and belongings, and Ready.gov suggests keeping copies of policies and documents in a secure, password-protected digital space.
8. Photograph the roof and house now. Ready.gov advises photographing damage after a storm; a set of "before" pictures makes the "after" set easier to read. The National Roofing Directory's guide to documenting roof damage for a claim explains what those photos need to show.
9. Set up more than one way to get warnings. Ready.gov recommends several alert sources and notes that the FEMA app can send National Weather Service alerts for up to five locations. The National Roofing Directory's Storm Center lists active NWS alerts by state.

If the checklist ends in a new roof

A replacement is the natural moment to upgrade. IBHS says a FORTIFIED Roof adds stronger deck attachment with ring shank nails in a tighter pattern, a sealed roof deck, and locked-down edges with adhered starter strips and fastened drip edge; the National Roofing Directory explains what a FORTIFIED roof is and how the designation is verified.

The Texas Department of Insurance's questions to ask before roofing add specifics for wind and hail country: shingles tested to ASTM D 3161 with a wind rating of 110 mph or higher, UL 2218 Class 4 impact-resistant products, a deck inspection with damaged decking replaced, and self-adhering tape over deck joints as a secondary water barrier.

Why before, not during

Warning times are short once storms form. The SPC FAQ says a Severe Thunderstorm Watch covers a two-to-eight-hour window, and NWS Binghamton notes warnings usually last about an hour. Hurricanes give more notice, but not enough for roof work: for Milton, NHC says the Hurricane Warning went up 42 hours before tropical-storm-force winds reached the landfall area.

Starting early also leaves time to compare contractors and check their credentials. The National Roofing Directory's find-a-roofer pages list contractors by state, and its state licensing reference shows what each state requires of a roofer before you sign anything.

Frequently asked questions

When does hurricane season start?

The Atlantic season runs from June 1 to November 30 and the eastern Pacific season from May 15 to November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center. The Atlantic peak is September 10.

Is there a tornado season?

Yes, but it moves. The SPC says the peak comes during May into early June in the southern Plains, earlier in spring on the Gulf Coast, and in June or July in the northern Plains and upper Midwest.

What should I do first?

Schedule a professional roof inspection and make the repairs it finds. It is the first roof step in the IBHS pre-season guidance, and everything else on the list goes faster once you know the roof's condition.