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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.

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 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 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

  • Not documenting before — pre-existing damage gets denied
  • Cleaning up before adjuster sees — destroys evidence
  • Hiring storm chasers — out-of-state contractors who disappear
  • Accepting "we'll cover your deductible" — Texas insurance fraud
  • Ignoring the second roof inspection — adjusters miss damage 30-40% of the time
  • Not filing within carrier deadlines — most policies require 60-day notice
  • 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 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 — from McAllen to South Padre Island.

Related reading

_Sources: NOAA National Hurricane Center for forecast data · Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) for windstorm coverage · Texas Department of Insurance — Storm Damage · FEMA Hurricane Preparedness._