Baccaro Roofing GuideHurricane Season 2026: 30-Day Roof Prep for the RGV
TL;DR: Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Use the 30 days before opening day to inspect, repair, document, and prepare. Days 30-23: inspection and assessment. Days 22-15: priority repairs. Days 14-8: insurance documentation. Days 7-1: tarps, gutters, perimeter. Day 0: storm plan and contact list.
The Atlantic basin produces named storms starting around June 1, and the Rio Grande Valley has had a major hurricane impact every 2-4 years since 1980. Insurance claim data shows pre-season preparation cuts post-storm losses by 40-60%.
Days 30-23: Inspection and assessment
Free roof inspection — schedule a professional climb-on inspection with a photo report covering shingle condition, flashing, vents, and structural decking. Cost: $0 with Baccaro. Out-of-pocket inspections run $150-$300 elsewhere.
Attic inspection — look for water staining on rafters, daylight through decking, sagging insulation. These mark existing leaks that storms will amplify.
Gutter and downspout flow test — pour 5 gallons through each downspout. Should drain in under 30 seconds. Clogged gutters back water under shingles within hours during heavy rain.
Tree assessment — branches within 10 feet of the roof are projectiles in 60+ mph winds. Mark trees needing trim.
Days 22-15: Priority repairs
Replace cracked or curled shingles — single-shingle replacement runs $20-$50 each installed.
Re-seal penetrations — chimney, skylight, and vent stack flashing should have fresh sealant under 5 years old. Replacement: $150-$400 per penetration.
Replace failed pipe boots — rubber pipe boots fail at 8-12 years. Look for cracked rubber or pulled-back collars. $50-$120 each installed.
Address attic ventilation gaps — under-vented attics blow shingles off in updrafts. Soffit + ridge vent fixes: $400-$1,200.
Decking spot repairs — rotten decking blows out under wind load. Spot repair: $300-$1,500 per area.
If you find $5,000+ in needed repairs, schedule the work NOW. Roofers book solid the first week of June. Last-minute work after a named storm forms isn't an option.
Days 14-8: Insurance documentation
Pre-storm photo album — date-stamped photos of every roof slope from the ground, plus interior ceilings and walls. Smartphone is fine. Backed up to cloud (Google Photos, iCloud).
Policy review — check your declarations page for: wind/hail deductible (typically 1-5% of home value, separate from regular deductible), windstorm coverage exclusions, RCV vs ACV settlement basis.
Update contact info with insurer — confirm phone, email, mailing address. Mismatched contact info delays claims by 1-2 weeks.
Save your agent's direct cell number — not just the 1-800. After major storms the 1-800 jams for 72+ hours.
Days 7-1: Final preparations
Tarp and rope kit — 2-3 heavy-duty 16x20 tarps, 100 feet of 1/2-inch rope, roofing nails or sandbags. Stored in garage where you can reach it.
Outdoor item secure-down — patio furniture, grills, planters, kid toys. Anything not bolted down becomes a projectile.
Gutter final clean — last clean before season. Compressed leaves plus storm rain equals backed-up water under shingles.
Roof video walkaround — slow 360 video from the ground, then an attic walkthrough video. Insurance baseline.
Storm day plan
Track the storm — National Hurricane Center (NHC), local KGBT-TV / Action 4 News, City emergency notifications.
Pre-storm: Stay off the roof. Don't tarp ahead of impact unless damage already exists.
During storm: Stay inside, away from windows. Document any water entry with timestamped photos.
Post-storm (first 24 hours): Same-day photos of all damage. File insurance claim immediately. Schedule professional inspection.
Common questions
### What's the difference between hurricane and named storm coverage?
Same coverage in most Texas policies. The wind/hail deductible applies to both. Read your policy's windstorm endorsement carefully — coastal counties (Cameron, Willacy) often have separate Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) policies.
### Should I tarp my roof before a storm?
No, unless you already have damage. Pre-storm tarping in 60+ mph winds typically rips and damages additional shingles.
### How fast can Baccaro respond to storm damage?
Same-day for emergency tarp service in the RGV. Full inspection within 24 hours. Permanent repairs within 7-14 days depending on materials availability.
### Will insurance cover everything?
Typically yes for direct wind/hail damage, minus your deductible. NOT covered: pre-existing damage, normal wear, cosmetic damage on impact-rated roofs in some policies.
Free pre-season inspection
(956) 600-0501 — book a free pre-season roof inspection. We'll give you a written report and prioritize any repairs that need to happen before June 1.
Related reading
- [Hurricane Prep for RGV Homeowners 2026](/blog/hurricane-prep-rgv-homeowners-2026) - [Pre-Hurricane Roof Maintenance Checklist](/blog/pre-hurricane-roof-maintenance-checklist) - [What to Do When You Lose Shingles in a Storm](/blog/what-to-do-when-you-lose-shingles-in-a-storm) - [Roofing in McAllen, TX](/areas/mcallen) - [Roofing in Brownsville, TX](/areas/brownsville) - [Roof Cost Calculator](/roof-cost-calculator)
_Sources: [National Hurricane Center](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) · [TWIA](https://www.twia.org/) · [Texas Department of Insurance](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/)._