Baccaro Roofing GuideHurricane Prep for RGV Homeowners 2026
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
- What to Do When You Lose Shingles in a Storm
- First 24 Hours After Storm Damage Checklist
- Pre-Hurricane Roof Maintenance Checklist
- Storm Damage Roof Repair in the Rio Grande Valley
- How to File a Roof Insurance Claim in Texas
_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._