The calendar

The National Hurricane Center lists the Atlantic hurricane season as June 1 through November 30, with peak activity around September 10. The National Weather Service says the best time to prepare is before the season begins on June 1. For a roof, that means the work happens between now and late May, when roofers are not chasing storm damage.

Our Chatham County wind and tropical storm record lists the storm reports behind that advice, with the source data linked.

Winter: find out what you have

Get the roof inspected. In an April 2026 release, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) warned that aging shingles can fail at wind speeds far below hurricane force, and recommended a professional inspection before the season.
Find the roof's age and the shingle brand if you can. Older roofs and loose or lifted shingles are where wind damage usually starts.
Check the attic for old leak stains so you know what is new after a storm.

Early spring: fix what was found

Reseal or replace lifted and missing shingles, and repair flashing at walls, chimneys and valleys.
Secure loose gutters and clear them and the downspouts. IBHS includes clearing gutters in its pre-season list.
Trim branches over the roof. The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) advises keeping trees and shrubs well trimmed to make them more wind-resistant.
Check the garage door, often the largest opening in the home. IBHS suggests looking for labeling that confirms it was tested for wind loads appropriate for your area.

If the roof is due for replacement anyway

A planned re-roof before June is the cheapest moment to upgrade how the roof is attached and sealed. IBHS suggests considering its FORTIFIED Roof standard at re-roofing time; the FORTIFIED program says insurance claims data shows up to 90% of hurricane-related claims include roof-related damage. Ask any roofer you hire which upgrades they include and put them in writing. Inside the City of Savannah, a full roof replacement including underlayment needs a building permit.

When a watch or warning goes up

GEMA/HS explains that a hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours, and a warning means they are expected within 36 hours. That is not enough time for roof work. Use it to bring in patio furniture, grills and anything else that can become debris, photograph the roof and house, and keep a tarp and the roofer's number handy.

GEMA/HS also notes hurricanes can do serious damage far inland, and that property insurance does not typically cover flooding. Flood coverage is a separate policy, such as one through the National Flood Insurance Program.

How we help

We do pre-season roof inspections and repairs through the winter and spring. You get photos of what we find and a written price before any work.

Sources: NOAA National Hurricane Center, Tropical cyclone climatology · National Weather Service, Hurricane preparedness · IBHS, pre-season hurricane release (April 28, 2026) · FORTIFIED Home, Before the storm: a homeowner's guide to hurricane readiness · Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, Hurricanes · City of Savannah, permit checklist (PDF) · checked 2026-11-01

Getting your Savannah roof ready for hurricane season