Wind Damage to Your Roof: What It Looks Like and What to Do

Hail gets most of the attention after a storm, but wind damage is the most common cause of storm-related roof insurance claims in Indiana. The problem is that wind damage is often subtle — a few lifted shingles, some missing tabs, a section of flashing that pulled away — and homeowners do not notice it until water starts coming in weeks or months later.

By then, the insurance window may have closed, and what would have been a covered claim becomes an out-of-pocket repair.

Here is how to identify wind damage, document it correctly, and make sure your claim gets approved.

Asphalt shingles are sealed to each other with a thermal adhesive strip along the bottom edge. In normal conditions, this seal holds the shingles flat against the deck. High winds — especially the sudden gusts that accompany Indiana thunderstorms — can break this seal, lift shingle edges, and in severe cases, remove shingles entirely.

Once the seal is broken, the shingle is vulnerable to every subsequent wind event. A shingle that survived a 70 mph gust with a broken seal may come off entirely in a 45 mph gust two weeks later.

Wind damage also affects:

• Flashing — Metal flashing at chimneys, skylights, and valleys can be lifted or bent by wind, creating gaps where water enters
• Ridge cap — The shingles at the peak of the roof are the most exposed to wind and are often the first to fail
• Gutters — High winds can pull gutters away from the fascia, especially if they were already loose

You can often spot significant wind damage without getting on the roof:

• Missing shingles — Bare patches of dark decking visible from the street
• Lifted or curled shingle edges — Shingles that are no longer lying flat, especially near the eaves or ridge
• Shingles in the yard — The most obvious sign; check after every major storm
• Displaced ridge cap — The ridge line looks uneven or has gaps
• Bent or detached gutters — Gutters pulling away from the fascia

After a significant storm, check your attic:

• Daylight visible through the decking — Indicates missing or severely lifted shingles
• Fresh water stains — New streaking on rafters or sheathing
• Wet insulation — Insulation that was dry before the storm

Wind damage that is not visible from the ground includes:

• Broken shingle seals — Shingles that look intact but are no longer adhered to the course below
• Lifted flashing — Metal that has pulled away from the surface it seals
• Cracked or split shingles — Wind stress can crack shingles without removing them
• Granule displacement — Wind scours granules from exposed shingle surfaces

This is why a professional inspection after any significant wind event is important — the damage that causes leaks is often the damage you cannot see from the ground.

Evansville and the Tri-State area experience several types of wind events that damage roofs:

Severe thunderstorm winds — The most common. Straight-line winds from severe thunderstorms regularly exceed 60–80 mph in the Evansville area. These events are often brief but intense enough to break shingle seals and remove ridge cap.

Derecho events — Organized lines of severe thunderstorms that can produce sustained winds of 70–100 mph across a wide area. Indiana has experienced several significant derechos in recent years.

Tornado-adjacent winds — Even if a tornado does not directly hit your home, the rotation and outflow winds surrounding a tornado can cause significant roof damage within a mile or more of the track.

Winter wind events — High winds in winter are particularly damaging because cold temperatures make shingles brittle and more susceptible to cracking and breaking.

Documentation is everything. Insurance adjusters are looking for evidence that the damage was caused by a specific storm event — not pre-existing wear.

Step 1: Note the date and time of the storm. Check the National Weather Service storm reports for your area (weather.gov) to get official wind speed data for your location. This is powerful evidence for your claim.

Step 2: Photograph everything immediately after the storm. Take photos of:

• Any shingles in the yard or on the ground
• Visible damage from the ground (lifted edges, missing sections)
• Gutters, flashing, and any other exterior damage
• The attic interior if you can safely access it

Step 3: Do not make permanent repairs before the adjuster visits. Temporary tarping to prevent further water intrusion is appropriate and expected. Permanent repairs before an adjuster inspects the damage can complicate your claim.

Step 4: Call a roofer before calling your insurance company. A professional inspection gives you an independent damage assessment before the adjuster arrives. This protects you if the adjuster underestimates the damage.

Most homeowner's policies cover wind damage with no separate deductible (unlike hail, which sometimes has a separate percentage deductible). Here is the general process:

1. Get a professional inspection — Rock's Roofs provides free storm damage inspections and will document all damage in writing
2. File the claim — Contact your insurance company and open a claim; provide the storm date and your documentation
3. Adjuster visit — The insurance company sends an adjuster to assess the damage; having your contractor present is strongly recommended
4. Review the estimate — Compare the adjuster's scope to your contractor's assessment; if there are discrepancies, your contractor can submit a supplement
5. Schedule repairs — Once the claim is approved, schedule permanent repairs promptly

Indiana does not have a specific statute of limitations for storm damage insurance claims, but most policies require claims to be filed within one year of the damage event. Some policies are shorter — check your policy language.

The practical issue is that wind damage that is not repaired quickly leads to secondary water damage. Insurers may deny coverage for water damage that occurred because the initial wind damage was not addressed promptly.

Do not wait. If you suspect wind damage after a storm, get an inspection within a few days.

Rock's Roofs provides free storm damage inspections throughout Evansville, Newburgh, Mt. Vernon, Henderson, Owensboro, and the Tri-State area. We document all damage in writing, assist with insurance claims, and provide a written repair estimate before any work begins.

Call (812) 459-2139 or request a free inspection online.

Related reading:

• Storm Damage Insurance Claim Guide for Evansville Homeowners
• 10 Essential Steps to Take After Storm Damage
• Hail Damage to Your Roof: What It Looks Like in Evansville