Roofing Weather Risk Dashboard
Track storm risks, material vulnerabilities, and seasonal threats across 12 states. Know when your roof is at risk and what to do about it.
Current Season Risk by State
Spring 2026 (March - May) roofing risk levels based on historical storm data and regional patterns.
Massachusetts
18 claims/1K homeowners/yr
Connecticut
16 claims/1K homeowners/yr
Pennsylvania
14 claims/1K homeowners/yr
New Jersey
15 claims/1K homeowners/yr
New York
17 claims/1K homeowners/yr
Florida
32 claims/1K homeowners/yr
Texas
38 claims/1K homeowners/yr
California
12 claims/1K homeowners/yr
Colorado
42 claims/1K homeowners/yr
Illinois
24 claims/1K homeowners/yr
North Carolina
20 claims/1K homeowners/yr
Virginia
14 claims/1K homeowners/yr
Storm Types & Material Impact
How each storm type affects different roofing materials. Use this to evaluate your roof's vulnerability.
Hail Storm
Hail is the #1 cause of homeowner insurance claims for roofing damage. Even 1-inch hail can crack shingles and dent metal.
Material Vulnerability
| Material | Risk | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt (3-tab) | critical | Cracks and shatters on impact. Least hail-resistant shingle. |
| Asphalt (architectural) | high | Granule loss and bruising. Class 3 rated versions perform better. |
| Asphalt (impact-resistant) | low | Class 4 rated. Designed for hail up to 2 inches. Insurance discounts available. |
| Metal (standing seam) | moderate | Dents cosmetically but retains waterproof integrity. |
| Tile (concrete) | high | Cracks and shatters from large hail (1.5"+). |
| Slate | moderate | Thick slate resists small hail; large hail can crack thinner installations. |
Hurricane / Tropical Storm
Hurricane-force winds (74+ mph) can tear off entire roof sections. Even tropical storms (39-73 mph) damage flashing, soffit, and ridge caps.
Material Vulnerability
| Material | Risk | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt (3-tab) | critical | Rated to only 60-70 mph. Easily torn off in hurricanes. |
| Asphalt (architectural) | high | 110-130 mph rating. Adequate for Cat 1-2 but not stronger storms. |
| Metal (standing seam) | low | Rated 140-180 mph. Best wind performance. Requires proper attachment. |
| Tile (concrete) | moderate | Heavy (resists uplift) but tiles can become projectiles if dislodged. |
| Flat/TPO | high | Wind can get under membrane edges. Mechanical attachment recommended. |
| Slate | moderate | Heavy and resistant to uplift, but individual slates can blow off. |
Nor'easter
Nor'easters bring a combination of high winds, heavy rain/snow, and coastal flooding that stress every component of a roofing system.
Material Vulnerability
| Material | Risk | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | high | Wind-driven rain penetrates beneath shingles. Ice dams form on eaves. |
| Metal (standing seam) | low | Excellent wind and ice performance. Snow slides off readily. |
| Slate | moderate | Handles nor'easters well but ice can lift individual slates. |
| Cedar shakes | high | Absorbs moisture, then freeze-thaw splits the wood. |
| Flat/TPO | high | Ponding from heavy rain/snow melt stresses membrane seams. |
Ice Storm
Freezing rain coats roofs with heavy ice, adding weight and creating ice dams. Tree branches coated with ice snap and fall on roofs.
Material Vulnerability
| Material | Risk | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | high | Ice dams form along eaves. Water backs up under shingles. |
| Metal (standing seam) | low | Ice slides off. No ice dam formation on properly installed metal. |
| Slate | moderate | Ice can lift slates. Walking on icy slate is extremely dangerous. |
| Cedar shakes | critical | Ice penetrates between shakes. Freeze-thaw destroys wood fibers. |
| Flat/TPO | high | Pooled water freezes and expands, tearing membrane seams. |
Tornado
Tornadoes produce the most violent winds in nature (100-300 mph). Even EF1 tornadoes (86-110 mph) can remove entire roof structures.
Material Vulnerability
| Material | Risk | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt (any) | critical | Completely removed in direct hit. Impact-resistant helps with near-misses. |
| Metal (standing seam) | moderate | Best performance in EF0-EF1. Direct hits destroy all roof types. |
| Tile (concrete) | high | Tiles become dangerous projectiles when dislodged by tornado winds. |
| Flat/TPO | critical | Membrane peels off in tornado-force winds. |
| Fortified Roof System | low | IBHS FORTIFIED designation provides best tornado survivability. |
Wildfire / Ember Storm
Wildfires generate ember storms that travel miles ahead of the fire front. Non-fire-rated roofing materials are the #1 ignition point for structure fires.
Material Vulnerability
| Material | Risk | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles (Class A) | low | Fire-resistant when properly installed with fire-rated underlayment. |
| Metal roofing | low | Non-combustible. Best fire performance with proper ember sealing. |
| Tile (concrete/clay) | low | Non-combustible. Gaps between tiles must be sealed against embers. |
| Cedar shakes (untreated) | critical | Extremely flammable. Banned in many WUI zones. Must be replaced. |
| Cedar shakes (fire-treated) | high | Fire treatment degrades over 5-10 years. Not recommended in fire zones. |
| Slate | low | Non-combustible natural stone. Excellent fire resistance. |
After a Storm: Emergency Checklist
Follow these steps immediately after any severe weather event to protect your safety, preserve insurance rights, and minimize secondary damage.
1. Safety First
- Do NOT go on the roof — ever — until a professional clears it
- Watch for downed power lines near or on the roof
- If structural damage is visible, evacuate and call 911
- Wear protective footwear if walking near debris
2. Document Everything
- Photograph all damage from multiple angles (wide + close-up)
- Include timestamps — use your phone camera (auto-dates photos)
- Photograph the storm itself or aftermath (sky, debris, neighbors)
- Save weather reports/alerts for your area as evidence
3. File Insurance Claim
- Call your insurance company within 24-48 hours
- Request a written claim number and keep it accessible
- Do NOT accept the first settlement without a contractor's opinion
- Ask about ALE (Additional Living Expense) if displaced
4. Get Professional Help
- Get a licensed, insured contractor to inspect (not a storm chaser)
- Have the contractor present when the insurance adjuster visits
- Get at least 2-3 written estimates before committing
- Never pay more than 10% upfront before work begins
Beware of Storm Chasers
After major storms, unlicensed contractors go door-to-door offering "free inspections." Red flags include: no local address, demanding large deposits, pressure to sign immediately, offering to pay your deductible (this is insurance fraud).
- Verify the contractor's state license number
- Check for a local physical office (not just a PO box)
- Confirm they carry general liability and workers' comp insurance
Seasonal Storm Calendar
When each storm type peaks across the year. Plan inspections and repairs around these windows.
| Storm Type | Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hail Storm | — | — | ||
Hurricane / Tropical Storm | — | — | ||
Nor'easter | — | — | ||
Ice Storm | — | — | — | |
Tornado | — | — | ||
Wildfire / Ember Storm | — | — |
Get an Instant Roof Estimate Before the Next Storm
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