What to Do After a Hurricane Damages Your Roof in Brevard County (2026 Guide)

It’s September, the peak of hurricane season on the Space Coast. If a storm has just come through and you’re looking at missing shingles, a lifted ridge, or water on the ceiling, here’s exactly what to do, in order. This comes from a roofing crew that has worked storm damage across Brevard County, including Hurricane Ian in 2022.

1. Stay off the roof

Wet shingles, hidden soft spots and downed lines cause more injuries after a storm than the storm itself. Look from the ground and from inside the attic. Leave the roof to a crew with harnesses.

2. Photograph everything before anything moves

Take wide shots of every side of the house, close-up photos of damaged areas from the ground, and photos of every interior stain or drip. Photograph debris in the yard too, since it shows what came off. Timestamped phone photos are fine. Do this before tarping and before cleanup. This is what your claim is built on.

3. Get it tarped, fast

Your policy requires you to prevent further damage. A properly installed tarp, fastened with furring strips and not just sandbags, stops the second wave of damage: soaked insulation, mold, ceiling collapse. Wonder runs emergency roof tarping across Brevard County. Keep the invoice, since it’s typically reimbursable under most policies.

4. Call your insurer, then get an independent inspection

Report the claim promptly. Many Florida policies now have a one-year deadline for hurricane claims and shorter windows for supplemental claims. Then get a free inspection from a licensed local roofer before the adjuster visit. You want your own documentation of the damage, not only the carrier’s.

5. Watch for storm chasers

After every hurricane, out-of-state crews flood Brevard neighborhoods. Before you sign anything:

• Check the license at MyFloridaLicense.com. Ours is CCC1336990.
• Ask for a local address. Ours is 2951 Hessey Ave NE, Ste 6, Palm Bay, FL 32905.
• Don’t sign an Assignment of Benefits or any document that says “contingency” or “authorization to represent” without reading it. Florida changed AOB rules in 2023, and a reputable contractor will explain what you’re signing.
• Never pay a large deposit before materials are delivered.

6. Repair or replace?

If your roof was installed to the 2007 Florida Building Code or later and the damage is partial, you can usually repair rather than replace. Older roofs with more than 25% damage generally must be brought fully up to code. We’ll show you which applies to your roof and put it in writing for the adjuster.

7. Think about the next storm

While the claim is open is the time to ask about a metal roof, impact windows, or a wind-mitigation inspection: upgrades that may lower your premium going forward. More on that here.

Storm damage in Brevard County? Call (321) 802-9100 for emergency tarping and a free inspection, or request an estimate online. Local, licensed, and here after the crews from out of state have gone home.