Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and Pensacola sits squarely in the bullseye. The time to prepare your roof is now — before the first named storm, not after. Once a storm is in the forecast, roofers are booked solid, supply stores sell out of materials, and the window for prevention closes. This checklist covers everything you should address in May to give your roof the best chance of surviving what the Gulf throws at it.
Professional Inspection
Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
This is step one and it's non-negotiable. A licensed roofer can identify vulnerabilities you can't see from the ground — loose flashing, deteriorated sealant, lifted shingle edges, fastener failures, and areas where the previous installation didn't meet wind code. The inspection takes 30 to 60 minutes and most Pensacola roofers offer it free. Schedule it in April or early May — by late May, roofer schedules fill up with pre-season demand. For what to look for in a contractor, see our contractor guide.
Address Any Repairs Before June 1
Whatever the inspection reveals — missing shingles, corroded flashing, loose ridge caps, damaged pipe boots — get it fixed now. A $200 repair in May prevents a $5,000 water damage claim in August. Repair scheduling is easy before hurricane season and increasingly difficult once it starts. Any known weakness in your roof becomes a failure point in high winds. For common repair scenarios, see our leak repair guide.
Gutters and Drainage
Clean All Gutters and Downspouts
Clogged gutters during a hurricane don't just overflow — they add weight to the fascia, can pull away from the house in high winds, and direct massive water volumes against the foundation and walls. Clean every gutter run and flush every downspout with a hose to confirm they're clear. See our gutter maintenance guide for the full protocol.
Verify Downspout Extensions
Every downspout should direct water at least 4 to 6 feet away from the foundation. During a hurricane, your roof collects thousands of gallons of rain in a matter of hours — all of that water needs to go somewhere that isn't your foundation. Extend any downspouts that terminate too close to the house.
Attic and Ventilation
Check Attic for Daylight
Go into the attic during daylight with the lights off. Any visible points of light through the roof deck indicate gaps where wind-driven rain will enter during a storm. Mark these spots and report them to your roofer. Even tiny gaps become major water entry points when rain is being driven horizontally at 80+ mph. For more on what to look for in the attic, see our storm damage guide.
Inspect Ventilation Components
Ridge vents, turbine vents, soffit vents, and static vents are all potential wind entry points if they're damaged, loose, or improperly installed. A ridge vent that's partially lifted becomes a sail that wind catches and peels away. Check all ventilation components and ensure they're secure. See our ventilation guide for what each component should look like.
Documentation
Photograph Your Roof's Current Condition
Before hurricane season, take detailed photos of your roof from the ground on all four sides, plus any visible attic photos. If you experience storm damage, these "before" photos are invaluable for your insurance claim — they prove that the damage was caused by the storm and wasn't pre-existing. Take the photos on a clear day when details are visible, and save them somewhere that isn't in the house (cloud storage, email them to yourself).
Locate Your Insurance Documents
Know where your homeowner's insurance policy is, what your deductible is (Florida has separate wind/hurricane deductibles that are typically higher than your standard deductible), and your agent's emergency phone number. Have your wind mitigation inspection form accessible — if you don't have one, now is the time to get it. See our wind mitigation guide for why this document matters and our insurance claim guide for what to expect after damage occurs.
Materials to Have on Hand
Emergency Tarp Kit
After a major storm, tarps sell out within hours. Buy a heavy-duty UV-resistant tarp large enough to cover a significant section of your roof (20' x 30' is a good minimum), along with a box of 3-inch wood screws and several 2x4 boards for securing it. Store these in your garage before the season starts. A professional tarp crew can use your materials and get to you faster when supply runs out. See our emergency tarp guide for the full process.
Roofing Contractor Contact Info
Have the phone number of at least one licensed, local roofing company saved in your phone before the season. After a storm, out-of-state storm chasers flood the area — having a pre-established relationship with a local roofer gives you priority access and protects you from unlicensed operators. For evaluating contractors, see our contractor guide.
Timing Matters
Everything on this checklist should be completed by June 1. Once hurricane season starts, repair scheduling gets harder, material availability gets unpredictable, and prices for emergency services increase with demand. The cost of prevention in May is a fraction of the cost of emergency response in September. Your roof is the single most important structural element protecting your home and family during a hurricane — give it the attention it deserves before the storms arrive.
Get Your Pre-Season Inspection
Free roof inspection to identify and address vulnerabilities before hurricane season. Schedule now while availability is open.
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