How long does a roof replacement take?

Most residential roof replacements are completed in 1–3 days, depending on the size and complexity of your roof. We work efficiently while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Do you offer free estimates?

Yes! We provide free, no-obligation estimates for all roofing services. Call us at (956) 600-0501 or visit our contact page to get started.

What roofing materials do you use?

We use top-quality materials from trusted manufacturers including architectural shingles, metal roofing, and flat roofing systems. We'll recommend the best option for your home and budget.

Do you help with insurance claims?

Absolutely. We have extensive experience working with insurance companies. We'll document the damage, meet with adjusters, and ensure you get the coverage you deserve.

Back to Blog

Baccaro Roofing GuideHurricane Prep for RGV Homeowners 2026

May 24, 202611 min read

TL;DR: Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 in the Rio Grande Valley. Prep starts in May with a roof inspection (free from us), insurance documentation refresh, and a documented inventory. The 6 critical steps: inspect roof, document property, verify policies (especially TWIA windstorm for coastal), prepare evacuation kit, identify contractors before the storm, and learn the 24-hour post-storm response. Most damage is preventable — most claim denials are documentation failures.

The 2024 season brought Hurricane Beryl into the Rio Grande Valley. The 2025 and 2026 forecasts call for above-average activity. Here's the comprehensive prep guide we walk every RGV homeowner through.

Pre-season prep (May, before June 1)

### 1. Schedule a free roof inspection

A pre-season roof inspection catches issues that hurricanes turn into catastrophic damage: - Loose or lifting shingle tabs (peel off in 80+ mph winds) - Sealed flashing failures (water intrusion at chimneys, skylights, valleys) - Aged pipe boots (UV-cracked, common after 8-12 years in RGV sun) - Soft decking spots (compromised structural integrity) - Inadequate attic ventilation (overheats roof in summer, makes shingles brittle)

Our inspections are free and produce a written report with photos. Even if no work is needed, the timestamped report is gold for an insurance claim if a storm hits 3 months later. See [What Happens During a Roof Inspection](/blog/what-happens-during-roof-inspection).

### 2. Document your property NOW

Before the storm hits — not after — document: - Roof condition with our photo report (or take your own from each ground-level vantage) - Interior with video walkthrough showing every room, every wall, every electronic - Exterior with photos from each side - Important serial numbers on appliances and electronics - Backup of all documents to cloud storage (deeds, insurance policies, ID, medical records)

Insurance carriers routinely deny pre-existing damage. Without dated photos, you can't prove the damage came from the storm.

### 3. Verify your insurance coverage

Three policies often apply in the RGV:

Standard homeowners policy: - Coverage A (dwelling): replacement cost of your home - Deductible: typically $1,000-$5,000 all-perils - Hurricane / named storm deductible: 1-5% of dwelling coverage - For a $300,000 home: $3,000-$15,000 hurricane deductible

TWIA (Texas Windstorm Insurance Association) — required if you're in the seacoast counties (Cameron, Willacy): - Wind and hail coverage that standard policies exclude in coastal counties - Additional policy with separate deductible - Requires WPI-8 windstorm certification on the roof

Flood insurance (NFIP or private): - NOT covered by standard policies - Required by mortgages in flood zones - Hurricane storm surge is flood damage, not wind damage

Call your agent in May. Confirm: - Coverage amounts match current home value - Deductible amounts (and update if needed) - Discounts applied (Class 4, metal, alarm, age-of-roof) - WPI-8 windstorm certification on file (coastal homes only)

### 4. Identify your contractor BEFORE the storm

After Hurricane Beryl, response times in the RGV stretched to 3-7 days for non-emergency calls. Storm chasers from out-of-state flooded into the area within 48 hours. Knowing who you'll call BEFORE chaos saves money and prevents fraud.

Save in your phone: - Roofer: Baccaro Roofing — (956) 600-0501 - Insurance agent: direct number, not the call center - Tree service: for fallen-tree extraction - General contractor: for non-roof structural work

See [How to Choose a Roofing Contractor](/blog/how-to-choose-a-roofing-contractor) for the 10-question vet.

When a storm is forecast (48-72 hours out)

### 5. Pre-storm walk-around

Trim trees within 10 feet of the house
Secure loose patio furniture, planters, decorations
Park cars in garage or away from trees
Check gutters are flowing — clogged gutters cause more damage than perfectly intact roofs in heavy rain
Clear pool areas of furniture
Brace exterior doors if hurricane plywood is part of your prep

### 6. Pre-storm documentation refresh

Re-photograph the exterior. Time-stamped photos from 24 hours before the storm prove pre-existing condition.

### 7. Evacuation kit (mandatory if you're in TX evacuation zones)

- Cash ($200-$500 — ATMs fail post-storm) - Phone chargers + power bank - Medications (7-day supply) - Important documents (insurance policy, ID, deed) - Pet supplies (food, water, leashes, vaccination records) - First-aid kit - Flashlights + batteries - Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day, 3-day minimum) - Non-perishable food (3-day minimum)

During the storm

Stay inside — interior bathroom or closet on the lowest floor
Stay off social media — distraction
Do NOT go outside during the eye — second wall is coming
Listen to local emergency radio for evacuation orders

The first 24 hours after

### Step 1: Ensure safety

- Check for injuries - Smell for gas leaks - Look for downed power lines (assume EVERY line is live) - Don't enter a damaged structure if you smell gas or see structural collapse

### Step 2: Document damage immediately

- Photo and video every angle of damage — roof, walls, contents - Write down a chronological account - DO NOT clean up before documenting

### Step 3: Mitigate active leaks

- Tarp roof if safe (call us at (956) 600-0501 — 24/7 during named storms) - Move contents away from active leaks - Use buckets and tarps to contain water spread - Save receipts for all mitigation supplies (insurance reimburses)

### Step 4: Call insurance

- Provide policy number - Describe the damage broadly - Get a claim number - Schedule the adjuster (most carriers prioritize active leak / unsafe conditions)

See [First 24 Hours After Storm Damage](/blog/first-24-hours-after-storm-damage) for the detailed checklist.

### Step 5: Independent roofer inspection BEFORE adjuster arrives

Your roofer's documentation makes the difference between a fully-paid claim and a partial denial. We provide free inspections and meet your adjuster on-site.

Common mistakes that cost RGV homeowners

1. Not documenting before — pre-existing damage gets denied 2. Cleaning up before adjuster sees — destroys evidence 3. Hiring storm chasers — out-of-state contractors who disappear 4. Accepting "we'll cover your deductible" — Texas insurance fraud 5. Ignoring the second roof inspection — adjusters miss damage 30-40% of the time 6. Not filing within carrier deadlines — most policies require 60-day notice 7. Cashing the ACV check without doing the work — you forfeit the depreciation balance

RGV-specific: TWIA windstorm details

If you're in Cameron or Willacy County, TWIA may apply. WPI-8 windstorm certification on your roof is required for TWIA coverage and dramatically lowers your premium. We're a WPI-8 certified installer — we provide the cert during install and re-cert as the roof ages.

See the [Texas Windstorm Insurance Association website](https://www.twia.org/) for current rates and zones.

Common questions

### When does hurricane season start?

June 1 to November 30 officially. Peak activity: mid-August through October.

### Should I evacuate?

Follow local orders. RGV typically has 24-48 hours warning. Coastal homes (Brownsville, Port Isabel, South Padre, Laguna Vista) face mandatory evacuations during major hurricanes.

### How do I know if my roof is hurricane-ready?

Free pre-season inspection. We document and tell you honestly whether the roof will survive 110-130 mph winds.

### Will insurance cover damage from a tropical storm?

Same as hurricane damage if the carrier categorizes it that way (some policies use named storm thresholds).

### What if my roof is 18+ years old before hurricane season?

Plan replacement BEFORE the season. Old roofs fail at lower wind speeds and many carriers won't issue claims on roofs 20+ years old.

Get a pre-season inspection

(956) 600-0501 — free roof inspection through May. Written report with photos. Documents your roof's condition for any claim that comes from the 2026 season.

We serve all of [the Rio Grande Valley](/areas) — from [McAllen](/areas/mcallen) to [South Padre Island](/areas/south-padre-island).