Florida Hurricane Season Roof Checklist: 15 Things to Do Before June
Hurricane season starts June 1. This checklist covers every step to protect your roof — and your insurance claim if the worst happens.
Last updated: March 2026
Florida hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 — six months of potential storms, and your roof is the first line of defense. The difference between a roof that survives a Category 2 hurricane and one that doesn’t often comes down to preparation done weeks or months before the storm hits. This 15-point checklist covers everything you need to do before June: inspections, repairs, documentation, insurance review, and emergency planning. Start now — contractors book up fast once storm season approaches.
Timing Matters
Start this checklist in March or April. By May, every roofer in Florida is booked. If your inspection reveals repairs are needed, you want time to get them done before the first named storm — not during it.
1. Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
What to do: Hire a licensed Florida roofing contractor (CCC or RCC license) to inspect your entire roof system — covering material, underlayment, flashing, penetrations, ridge caps, and attic conditions.
Why it matters: A professional will catch problems you can’t see from the ground. Loose shingles, deteriorated flashing, and compromised seals are invisible from the driveway but catastrophic in a hurricane. Finding and fixing them now prevents a $200 problem from becoming a $20,000 insurance claim.
Cost: $150–$400 for a full inspection. Many contractors offer free inspections if you hire them for any needed repairs.
2. Clean Gutters and Downspouts
What to do: Remove all leaves, debris, and buildup from gutters and downspouts. Verify water flows freely through the entire system. Check for loose or sagging gutter sections and reattach or replace them.
Why it matters: Clogged gutters during a hurricane cause water to back up under roof edges, driving rain under shingles and into your decking. Gutters clogged with debris also add weight that can pull fascia boards loose in high winds. During a hurricane, every drainage pathway needs to be clear.
Cost: $100–$250 for professional cleaning, or free if you do it yourself.
3. Trim Overhanging Branches
What to do: Cut back any tree branches that hang over or within 10 feet of your roof. Pay special attention to dead branches and weak-looking limbs on any tree in your yard.
Why it matters: Falling branches are the number one source of roof damage during Florida storms. A branch that seems harmless on a calm day becomes a battering ram in 80+ mph winds. Live oaks, pines, and palm fronds are the most common culprits.
Cost: $200–$800 for professional tree trimming, depending on tree size and number.
4. Check Flashing and Seals
What to do: Inspect all flashing around chimneys, skylights, vents, and wall junctions. Check that rubber pipe boots are intact. Verify all sealant and caulk is flexible and adhered — not dried, cracked, or pulling away.
Why it matters: Flashing and seals are the most vulnerable points on any roof. Florida’s UV exposure and heat cycles degrade sealants faster than in northern states. A cracked pipe boot or loose chimney flashing is a guaranteed leak point during hurricane-driven rain.
Cost: $150–$500 for resealing and minor flashing repairs.
5. Inspect the Attic for Existing Leaks
What to do: Go into your attic with a flashlight. Look for water stains on the underside of the decking, along rafters, and around penetrations. Check for daylight coming through the roof. Feel for soft or damp spots in the decking.
Why it matters: Existing leaks indicate compromised areas that will fail spectacularly during a storm. Water stains that are already there mean your roof has weak points — and a hurricane will exploit every one of them. Fix these before storm season, not after.
Cost: Free to inspect yourself. Repairs vary based on what you find.
6. Document Current Roof Condition with Photos
What to do: Photograph every slope of your roof from the ground, plus close-ups of flashing, ridge caps, vents, and pipe boots. Photograph the attic interior. Email the photos to yourself to create a timestamped record. Store copies in cloud storage.
Why it matters: If your roof sustains storm damage, pre-storm photos are the single most powerful tool in your insurance claim. Without them, the insurer can claim the damage was pre-existing or caused by wear and tear. With them, they can’t.
Cost: Free. This is the highest-ROI item on the entire checklist.
7. Review Your Insurance Policy
What to do: Pull out your declarations page and read the roof-specific sections. Check: What’s your hurricane deductible? Is your roof covered at replacement cost or actual cash value (ACV)? Are there any exclusions related to roof age or condition? When was your last policy update?
Why it matters: Many Florida homeowners don’t realize their hurricane deductible is 2–5% of the insured value — not a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 home, that’s $8,000–$20,000 out of pocket before insurance kicks in. If you have ACV coverage on an older roof, depreciation can eat most of your payout. Know what you’re working with before a claim, not during one.
Cost: Free. Call your agent if you have questions.
8. Get a Wind Mitigation Inspection
What to do: Hire a licensed inspector to complete a wind mitigation inspection (OIR-B1-1802 form). This documents your roof’s hurricane-resistant features: roof shape, covering type, deck attachment, roof-to-wall connections, and opening protection.
Why it matters: Florida law requires insurers to offer premium discounts for verified wind mitigation features. Most homeowners save $500–$2,000+ per year. The report is valid for 5 years. If you don’t have a current one, you’re overpaying for insurance — guaranteed.
Cost: $75–$175. Pays for itself within the first year through premium savings.
9. Check Hurricane Straps and Clips
What to do: From the attic, check your roof-to-wall connections. Look for metal hurricane straps or clips connecting the trusses/rafters to the top of your walls. If you see only toenailed connections (nails driven at an angle), your roof is significantly more vulnerable to uplift.
Why it matters: Hurricane straps are what keep your roof attached to your house during high winds. Without them, wind uplift can literally peel your roof off. Homes built before 2002 (pre-FBC) often lack proper straps. Retrofitting costs $1,500–$3,000 but can also reduce your insurance premiums through the wind mitigation inspection.
Cost: Free to check. $1,500–$3,000 to retrofit if missing.
10. Secure Loose Shingles and Tiles
What to do: Have your roofer resecure any shingles that are lifted, curled, or loosened. For tile roofs, verify that cracked or shifted tiles are replaced and all tiles are properly attached. Reseal any areas where adhesive strips have failed.
Why it matters: One loose shingle in a hurricane is the starting point for catastrophic damage. Wind gets under the lifted edge, catches more material, and peels back a larger area — a chain reaction that can strip an entire slope in minutes. Fixing one loose shingle now costs $50–$150. Waiting costs thousands.
Cost: $50–$300 for minor repairs.
11. Check Soffit and Fascia
What to do: Walk the perimeter of your home and inspect the soffit (underside of the roof overhang) and fascia (the board running along the roof edge). Look for cracked, rotted, or missing sections. Verify that soffit vents are clear and intact.
Why it matters: Damaged soffit is one of the most common entry points for wind-driven rain. During a hurricane, wind pressure forces water up and through any gap in the soffit. Once water gets into the roof structure, it travels along rafters and can cause damage far from the entry point. Compromised fascia means gutters aren’t properly attached, either.
Cost: $200–$600 for soffit/fascia repairs, depending on extent.
12. Clear Debris from the Roof
What to do: Remove any accumulated leaves, pine needles, branches, or debris from the roof surface. Pay special attention to valleys, around penetrations, and behind chimneys where debris collects.
Why it matters: Debris retains moisture and accelerates shingle deterioration. It also blocks water flow during heavy rain, creating pools that can find their way under your roof covering. In a hurricane, loose debris on your roof becomes projectile material that can damage your own shingles or your neighbors’ property.
Cost: Part of a professional gutter cleaning or $100–$200 separately.
13. Know Your Deductible
What to do: Confirm your exact hurricane deductible amount. It’s usually a percentage (2%, 5%, or 10%) of your dwelling coverage, not a flat dollar amount. Calculate what that means in actual dollars. Set that amount aside in savings if possible.
Why it matters: If your home is insured for $400,000 and you have a 5% hurricane deductible, your out-of-pocket is $20,000 before insurance pays anything. Many homeowners are shocked by this after a storm. If your deductible is higher than you can afford, talk to your agent about options before hurricane season — not after a Category 3 hits.
Cost: Free to check. Potentially saves you from financial shock after a storm.
14. Have Emergency Tarp Supplies Ready
What to do: Buy a heavy-duty tarp (at least 6 mil, blue or silver) large enough to cover the largest section of your roof. Store it with 2x4 lumber strips, concrete screws, a battery-powered drill, and rope. Keep everything accessible — not buried in the garage.
Why it matters: After a hurricane, tarping companies are overwhelmed. Wait times can be days or weeks. If your roof is breached and rain is coming, you need to be able to protect your home immediately. Having supplies on hand means you (or a neighbor) can tarp within hours instead of days.
Cost: $50–$150 for tarp supplies. Professional emergency tarping costs $500–$1,500+ after a storm.
15. Save Contractor Contacts
What to do: Research and save contact information for 2–3 licensed, local Florida roofing contractors. Verify their licenses at MyFloridaLicense.com. Save their numbers in your phone and on paper (power may be out). Also save your insurance company’s claims phone number and your policy number.
Why it matters: After a hurricane, storm chasers flood affected areas. If you already have trusted contractor contacts, you won’t be tempted to hire the first person who knocks on your door. Established contractors prioritize existing customers and contacts, so reaching out early — even before damage occurs — puts you ahead of the line.
Cost: Free. This simple step is your best defense against roofing scams.
Quick Reference: Complete Checklist
Print this and check off as you go:
☐ 1. Schedule professional roof inspection
☐ 2. Clean gutters and downspouts
☐ 3. Trim overhanging branches
☐ 4. Check flashing and seals
☐ 5. Inspect attic for existing leaks
☐ 6. Document roof condition with photos
☐ 7. Review insurance policy
☐ 8. Get wind mitigation inspection
☐ 9. Check hurricane straps and clips
☐ 10. Secure loose shingles or tiles
☐ 11. Check soffit and fascia
☐ 12. Clear debris from roof
☐ 13. Know your deductible
☐ 14. Have emergency tarp supplies ready
☐ 15. Save contractor contacts
What This Costs vs What It Saves
Total Preparation Cost: $500–$2,500
- • Professional inspection: $150–$400
- • Gutter cleaning: $100–$250
- • Minor repairs (flashing, shingles, seals): $150–$500
- • Tree trimming: $200–$800
- • Wind mitigation inspection: $75–$175
- • Tarp supplies: $50–$150
Cost of NOT Preparing
- • Average Florida roof replacement after hurricane: $15,000–$35,000
- • Water damage to interior from compromised roof: $5,000–$50,000+
- • Denied insurance claim due to “pre-existing condition”: Full cost out of pocket
- • Insurance premium savings missed without wind mitigation report: $500–$2,000/year
The Bottom Line
Hurricane preparation isn’t optional in Florida — it’s the cost of owning a home here. The good news is that most of this checklist is straightforward, affordable, and can be completed in a few weekends. The items that cost money (inspections, repairs, tree trimming) pay for themselves many times over when a storm actually hits.
Start now. Don’t wait for the first named storm of the season to realize your roof isn’t ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start preparing my roof for hurricane season?
How much does a pre-hurricane roof inspection cost in Florida?
What is a wind mitigation inspection and do I need one?
What’s the most important thing I can do to protect my roof before a hurricane?
Does my insurance cover hurricane damage to my roof?
Get Your Roof Hurricane-Ready
Schedule a pre-season inspection with a licensed Florida roofing contractor. Catch problems now — before they become hurricane damage.
Schedule a Roof Inspection →