How Orlando Storm Season Impacts Your Roof: What to Watch For
Wind, sideways rain and the occasional hailstorm all test an Orlando roof during storm season. Here's what the damage looks like and how to get ahead of it.
Orlando's storm season, from the summer thunderstorms to the June 1 through November 30 hurricane season, hits roofs with wind that lifts shingle edges, heavy rain that finds any gap in the flashing and the occasional hailstorm. The damage often starts small and invisible from the ground, so a free inspection before the season and another after any big storm is the cheapest protection you can buy.
Central Florida doesn't need a direct hurricane hit to damage a roof. A few months of afternoon thunderstorms, a tropical storm passing to the west and one hailstorm can leave a roof that looks fine from the street but is already letting water into the attic.
What storm season does to an Orlando roof
- Wind. Strong gusts get under shingle edges and break the seal strip that holds each tab down. Once the seal breaks, the tab lifts again with every strong wind, and that slope starts losing shingles in the next storm.
- Heavy rain. Sideways rain finds gaps around vents, chimneys, skylights and walls, where the flashing has loosened or the sealant has dried out.
- Hail. Central Florida gets more hail than most people expect. The May 2026 storms in Oviedo and Winter Springs left bruised shingles that lose granules faster from then on.
- Debris. Branches and palm fronds scrape and puncture shingles and can tear off ridge caps.
What to watch for after a storm
You don't need to climb on the roof to spot most warning signs, and you shouldn't. From the ground, look for missing or lifted shingles, pieces of shingle or granules in the yard and gutters, and flashing that's bent or pulled away from a wall. Inside, check ceilings for new stains and take a look in the attic for damp insulation or daylight around vents.
If you find something, take photos with the date on them before anything gets moved or repaired. Our guide on ceiling stains and roof repair covers what a stain can tell you, and if Orlando's fall rain has already caused problems, our report on the November 2026 flooding explains what to check.
How to get your roof ready before the season
The best time to look at a roof is before June, when there's time to fix small problems before the storms line up. A professional inspection checks the shingles, the flashing, the vents and the attic, and it tells you whether you're looking at a small repair or a roof that won't make it through another season.
Between inspections, there are a few things homeowners can safely do from the ground: keep the gutters clear so water doesn't back up under the roof edge, trim branches that hang over the roof and pick up loose items in the yard before a storm. Anything that involves getting on the roof is a job for a licensed roofer.
Small repairs or a new roof?
A few lifted shingles or one leaking pipe boot on an otherwise healthy roof is a repair, and our Orlando roof repair cost guide shows what those usually run. When the shingles are near the end of their life and damage shows up on several slopes after every storm, repairs start buying time instead of fixing the problem, and a replacement is usually the better use of the money. If the damage came from a covered storm, our post on whether insurance covers roof replacement in Orlando explains how claims work.
If water is coming in right now
Stop the water first. An emergency tarp over the damaged area keeps rain out of the attic until the permanent repair can be done, and we keep tarps on hand for exactly that. Our post on temporary roof leak fixes explains what you can do safely in the meantime.
Storm season help from JA Edwards of America
JA Edwards of America has been fixing and replacing Florida roofs since 2004, with our headquarters at 220 Weber St in Orlando. We're a Florida Certified Roofing Contractor (CCC1334804) and Certified General Contractor (CGC1534283), a GAF Master Elite contractor and a GAF President's Club award winner. Call (407) 677-7663 for a free inspection before the storms, or after one, and see our storm damage repair page for how we handle storm work.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I have my roof inspected in Orlando?
Once a year, ideally before June, and again after any hurricane, tropical storm or hailstorm that passes close to your home.
What should I look for after a storm?
Missing or lifted shingles, granules or shingle pieces in the yard and gutters, bent flashing and new stains on your ceilings. Take dated photos before anything gets repaired.
Can small repairs really prevent bigger damage?
Yes. Resealing a flashing gap or replacing a few lifted shingles before the next storm keeps water out of the deck and the attic, where the expensive damage happens.
Does insurance cover storm damage to my roof?
Most Florida policies cover sudden storm damage from wind, hail or falling trees, but not wear and age. You have 1 year from the date of loss to report a claim. If the repair is close to your deductible, our guide on filing a claim or paying out of pocket can help you decide.
What should I do if my roof is leaking during a storm?
Move belongings away from the leak, catch the water and call a roofer for an emergency tarp. Don't go up on a wet roof yourself.
Talk to a licensed roofer about your roof
Tell us where you are and what’s going on with your roof. We’ll inspect it and give you a written scope and estimate.