Be ready
A hurricane-season roof checklist
Rhode Island's big storms have come in late summer and fall. A little preparation before then makes the aftermath simpler.
Before the season
- Look from the ground. With binoculars, check for missing, lifted or creased shingles, and loose metal at the edges and around chimneys.
- Look from the attic. On a sunny day, look for daylight, and for water stains on the decking and rafters.
- Trim trees. Branches over the roof become projectiles and levers in high wind.
- Clear gutters and downspouts so heavy rain drains away from the house.
- Photograph the roof and house from every side, and keep the photos off-site or in the cloud. They help an insurance claim later.
- Read your policy. Coastal policies can carry separate hurricane or wind deductibles. Know yours before the storm.
After a storm
- Stay off the roof and away from downed wires.
- Cover any opening with a tarp, or have someone do it, and keep receipts.
- Photograph the damage, the attic and any ceilings before cleanup.
- Report the claim to your insurer.
- Have a registered roofer inspect the roof before deciding on patching or replacement.
More on that in roof replacement after storm damage, and watch for the red flags in checking a roofer.
Want your roof looked at before the next storm? Call to talk with a local roofer.
Mon–Fri 8:30 am–7 pm · Sat 9 am–4 pm (Eastern)
Common questions
+When is hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. New England's worst hurricanes, including 1938, Carol in 1954 and Bob in 1991, struck in late summer and early fall.
+Should I climb on my roof to check it?
No. Look from the ground with binoculars and from inside the attic. Leave anything on the roof to a roofer with proper safety equipment.