Hurricane Roof Preparation in Palm Beach County:Your Complete 2026 Action Plan
By Alex Mompie — Licensed Roofing Contractor, CBC 1256195 / CCC 1329890
In 19+ years of roofing in Palm Beach County, I have personally repaired over 500 roofs after Hurricanes Frances (2004), Jeanne (2004), Wilma (2005), Irma (2017), and Nicole (2022). This is not a generic checklist. This is the action plan I give my own family and neighbors every single year before hurricane season.
Why Preparation Pays Off
Quick Answer: How to Prepare Your Roof for Hurricane Season
Start hurricane roof preparation at least 60 days before June 1 (the official start of hurricane season). Get a free professional roof inspection, complete any repairs using HVHZ-rated materials, document your entire roof for insurance purposes, and secure a 24/7 emergency contractor before the first storm forms. In Palm Beach County, call Mompie Construction at (561) 248-6039 for a free pre-hurricane roof inspection. Licensed CBC 1256195 / CCC 1329890.
Why Hurricane Roof Preparation in Palm Beach County Is Not Optional
Palm Beach County sits inside Florida's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) — a designation that exists because our county has been hit repeatedly by powerful hurricanes and will be hit again. This is not a scare tactic. It is a geographic and meteorological fact. From the barrier island communities of Jupiter and Riviera Beach along the coast to inland neighborhoods in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington, every homeowner in this county faces real hurricane risk for six months of the year — June through November.
I have been roofing in Palm Beach County for over 19 years. In that time, I have personally climbed on over 500 roofs after hurricanes to assess damage, install emergency tarps, and perform repairs. The pattern I see every single time is unmistakable: the homes that were prepared before the storm suffered a fraction of the damage. The average hurricane roof insurance claim in Palm Beach County ranges from $15,000 to $25,000 for an unprepared home. A $200 pre-storm inspection and $1,500 in preventive repairs can reduce that to $1,200 to $3,000. The math is simple. Eighty percent of hurricane roof damage is preventable with proper preparation.
Real Hurricane History: What I Have Seen in Palm Beach County
- 2004:Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne hit Palm Beach County within three weeks of each other. Frances alone damaged over 28,000 homes in our county. I spent months repairing roofs in West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach where entire neighborhoods lost shingles, tiles, and flashing. The double hit taught every contractor in this county a painful lesson: minor damage from the first storm becomes catastrophic when a second storm arrives before repairs are complete. Homeowners who had secured tarping and emergency repairs between Frances and Jeanne saved their homes. Those who waited lost their roofs entirely in the second storm.
- 2005:Hurricane Wilma crossed the state and struck PBC with sustained winds of 120 mph. Statewide damage reached $20.6 billion. I saw entire roof systems in Lake Worth Beach and Delray Beach stripped down to bare decking. But standing seam metal roofs I inspected in Palm Beach Gardens had virtually zero panel loss. That contrast changed how I advise every homeowner about roofing materials.
- 2017:Hurricane Irma brought Category 2 winds and widespread flooding to Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Boca Raton. Insurance claims in PBC exceeded $2.8 billion. Inland homeowners in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington discovered hidden wind damage weeks later as slow leaks appeared through compromised underlayment.
- 2022:Hurricane Nicole made landfall as a rare November hurricane, causing significant coastal erosion and roof damage along the Jupiter and Riviera Beach coastline. Nicole proved that hurricane season does not always end when you expect it to — and that preparation must last all the way through November 30.
"I've repaired over 500 roofs after hurricanes in Palm Beach County. The ones that survived had one thing in common — they were prepared. Not perfectly prepared. Not expensively prepared. Just prepared. A free inspection, a few hundred dollars in repairs, and proper documentation. That is the difference between a minor inconvenience and a $25,000 disaster."
— Alex Mompie, Owner, Mompie Construction (CBC 1256195 / CCC 1329890)
The 2026 hurricane season predictions are already pointing toward above-average activity. Whether we face a direct hit or a near miss, the time to prepare your Florida home for hurricanes is now — not when a named storm enters the Gulf or Atlantic tracking area. By then, every roofing contractor in Palm Beach County is booked solid, materials sell out at hardware stores from Jupiter to Boca Raton, and prices spike 200 to 300 percent. The homeowners who act in April and May are the ones who sleep well in August and September.
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The 60-Day Hurricane Roof Preparation Timeline for Palm Beach County
After 19 years and hundreds of post-hurricane roof repairs across Palm Beach County, this is the exact timeline I give every homeowner. Each step matters — and each one has a reason behind it that I have learned the hard way.
60 Days Before Hurricane Season (April)
Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
The single most important thing you can do to prepare your roof for hurricane season in Palm Beach County is to get a professional inspection at least 60 days before June 1. This is not something you can do yourself from the ground with binoculars. A proper hurricane readiness inspection requires a licensed roofer to physically walk your roof and check every component that matters in high winds: flashing integrity around all penetrations, sealant condition at every joint and transition, loose or cracked tiles or shingles, nail pattern compliance with current HVHZ code, underlayment condition beneath the surface covering, and the critical roof-to-wall connections that determine whether your roof stays attached or lifts off in a hurricane.
In Palm Beach County, typical issues I find during pre-hurricane inspections include deteriorated pipe boot flashings (present on about 70% of homes over 10 years old), insufficient nailing patterns on shingles (four nails instead of the six required in the HVHZ), cracked or displaced tiles with failed mortar connections on older Boca Raton and Palm Beach Gardens homes, and corroded hurricane straps on coastal properties in Jupiter and Riviera Beach. Every one of these issues is fixable in April. None of them are fixable during a Category 3 storm in September.
What it costs: Mompie Construction offers FREE pre-hurricane roof inspections across all of Palm Beach County. We provide a written report detailing every issue found, prioritized by hurricane risk severity, along with a transparent estimate for any recommended repairs. No pressure, no gimmicks — just an honest assessment from a GAF Certified contractor who has inspected thousands of roofs in this county. Call (561) 248-6039 to schedule.
30 Days Before Hurricane Season (May)
Complete All Identified Repairs
With your inspection report in hand, May is the month to complete every repair identified. This is when you fix the cracked flashing, replace the deteriorated pipe boots, re-nail shingles to the proper six-nail HVHZ pattern, and address any underlayment issues. Every material used must be rated for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone — this means Miami-Dade approved products, not the standard materials you find at big box stores. GAF Timberline HDZ shingles, Miami-Dade approved concrete tile fasteners, and stainless steel flashing rated for coastal salt air exposure are what we use on every job.
If your inspection revealed the need for a full roof replacement or major structural repairs, understand the permit timeline in Palm Beach County. Building permits for roofing work typically take 3 to 7 business days to process. Add another 1 to 3 weeks for the actual work depending on scope. This is exactly why you need to start in April, not June. I have seen too many homeowners in West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, and Greenacres try to get roofing work done in late May or early June, only to find every contractor booked and materials backordered.
May is also the time to trim trees and remove dead branches within 10 feet of your roof. After Hurricane Wilma in 2005, fallen trees and branches caused 40 percent of all roof damage claims in Palm Beach County. Clean all gutters and downspouts thoroughly — clogged drainage causes fascia rot, soffit damage, and can add thousands of pounds of water weight to flat roof structures during the intense rain bands of a hurricane. Finally, get your wind mitigation inspection done this month ($150) — in Palm Beach County, a favorable report saves homeowners $1,000 to $2,500 per year on insurance premiums, and it pays for itself within the first month of savings.
14 Days Before a Storm (Watch Issued)
Final Walkthrough, Documentation, and Staging
When a tropical system enters the Atlantic and forecasters begin issuing watches for South Florida, it is time for your final walkthrough. If you completed your inspection and repairs on schedule, this step is straightforward. Walk the perimeter of your home and visually confirm that all recent repairs are intact, no new debris has accumulated on the roof, gutters are clear, and all loose items around the exterior are secured or ready to be brought inside. Check that satellite dishes, antennas, solar panel hardware, and any rooftop HVAC components are properly secured.
This is the critical moment for insurance documentation. Photograph your entire roof from every angle you can safely access from the ground. Include wide shots showing the full roof line from each side of the property, plus close-ups of any areas that show wear. Photograph every exterior wall, every window, every door. Walk through every room inside your home and document the condition of ceilings, walls, and floors. Enable timestamp and GPS data on your phone camera. Upload everything to cloud storage you can access from any device — phones get damaged, lost, or destroyed in hurricanes. This baseline documentation is what proves the pre-storm condition of your home to your insurance adjuster, and I have personally seen it make the difference between a fully paid claim and a disputed one.
Stock your emergency roofing supplies now if you have not already: two 20x30 tarps, 100 feet of nylon rope, sandbags, plastic sheeting (6 mil), and heavy-duty duct tape. After every hurricane, these items sell out within hours at every hardware store from Jupiter to Boca Raton. Buy them while they are available and keep them in an accessible location. These are not for you to go on your roof during or after a storm — they are for temporary ground-level protection of broken windows or damaged openings until a professional crew arrives.
7 Days Before a Storm (Warning Likely)
Install Protection and Finalize Emergency Plans
Seven days out, the storm track is becoming clearer and it is time to install your physical protection. Put up hurricane shutters or board windows with 5/8-inch plywood using proper anchoring. If you have impact-rated windows and doors, you are already ahead of most Palm Beach County homeowners — but verify that all impact glass is intact and that window and door frames show no gaps or seal failures. Apply roof sealant to all vulnerable transition points: pipe boots, vent flashings, ridge caps, valley lines, and any previous repair spots. This last layer of sealant can prevent water intrusion through joints that might otherwise flex open under sustained wind pressure.
Test your generator — run it for 15 minutes to confirm it starts, holds load, and has adequate fuel. After Hurricane Irma, some Palm Beach County neighborhoods went without power for 7 to 14 days. Stock emergency supplies: water (one gallon per person per day for at least seven days), non-perishable food, prescription medications (30-day supply), phone chargers, portable battery packs, flashlights with fresh batteries, a NOAA battery weather radio, cash in small bills ($500 minimum), and copies of all important documents in a waterproof container. Confirm evacuation routes and Palm Beach County shelter locations with your family.
24 Hours Before Landfall
Final Checks and Lockdown
This is your final window. Walk the exterior one last time and bring in everything that could become a projectile — patio furniture, grills, potted plants, decorations, trash cans, and anything not bolted down. At 100+ mph, a patio chair becomes lethal. Move vehicles into your garage. Verify all shutters and plywood are secure. Fill bathtubs with water for flushing toilets if water service is disrupted. If you are in an evacuation zone, leave now. Do not wait for the last minute.
Once the storm arrives, stay inside in an interior room on the lowest floor, away from all windows and exterior doors. Do NOT go outside during the eye passage — the opposite eyewall can arrive within minutes with maximum wind speeds. If you hear cracking, popping, or rushing water from your ceiling, move to another room immediately. Use your phone to record video and audio of any damage as it happens — this timestamped documentation is extremely valuable for insurance claims. Keep shoes, your emergency kit, and important documents within arm's reach in waterproof bags.
Do not wait until a storm is in the forecast
Call (561) 248-6039 — we inspect roofs across Palm Beach County at no cost.
Roof Types and Hurricane Performance in Palm Beach County
Not all roofs survive hurricanes equally. After 19 years of repairing storm-damaged roofs across West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Jupiter, and every community in between, here is what I have seen firsthand — and what I recommend to my own neighbors. If you are considering a new roof before hurricane season, this is the data that should drive your decision.
Metal Standing Seam Roofs
160+ mph ratedThe undisputed top performer in hurricane conditions and the roof I would put on my own home without hesitation. Standing seam metal roofs use concealed fasteners and interlocking panels that resist wind uplift far better than any other residential roofing system available today. The panels lock together mechanically, which means there are no exposed nail heads for wind to catch and no individual pieces that can be peeled away one by one like shingles or tiles. They are increasingly popular in coastal Jupiter and Delray Beach neighborhoods where salt air corrosion destroys lesser materials within 10 to 15 years. Modern aluminum and galvalume standing seam panels carry 40 to 50-year warranties and require virtually no maintenance.
During Hurricane Wilma in 2005, I inspected dozens of standing seam metal roofs in Palm Beach Gardens — virtually zero panel loss. Homes with 15-year-old shingle roofs on the same street had lost half their covering. That image burned into my memory and fundamentally changed how I advise homeowners. For a deeper comparison, read our complete metal roof vs. shingle analysis.
Cost in Palm Beach County: $12 to $18 per square foot installed. A typical 2,000 square foot home runs $24,000 to $36,000. Yes, it costs more upfront than shingles — but the 40+ year lifespan, near-zero maintenance, and maximum insurance discounts make it the best long-term investment.
Qualifies for maximum insurance wind mitigation discounts — typical savings of $1,500-$2,500/year on premiums. Also qualifies for My Safe Florida Home grants.
Concrete and Clay Tile Roofs
140-160 mph ratedA staple of South Florida architecture, especially common throughout Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, and the upscale communities along the coast. When properly secured with Miami-Dade approved clips or adhesive foam systems, tile roofs perform very well in hurricanes. The weight of concrete and clay tiles — 9 to 12 pounds each — provides natural resistance to wind uplift that lighter materials simply cannot match. Properly installed tile roofs have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years in Palm Beach County's climate.
The danger with tile roofs is clear: improperly fastened tiles become 10-pound projectiles at hurricane wind speeds. After the 2004 storms, I personally re-set thousands of tiles across West Palm Beach and Boynton Beach because the original installations used outdated mortar-set methods instead of mechanical fasteners. If your tile roof was installed before 2002, I strongly recommend having us inspect the fastening system. A re-fastening job with approved clips typically costs $3,000 to $6,000 — a fraction of replacing the entire roof and the damage an airborne tile can cause to your neighbor's home, car, or windows.
Cost in Palm Beach County: $10 to $16 per square foot installed for new tile. Re-fastening with Miami-Dade approved clips on existing tile: $3,000 to $6,000 depending on roof size and accessibility.
Architectural Shingles (GAF Timberline HDZ)
130 mph ratedThe most affordable hurricane-rated option for Palm Beach County homeowners and the most common roof type I install. GAF Timberline HDZ shingles are rated for 130 mph winds when installed with the manufacturer's recommended six-nail pattern and starter strip system. This is the go-to choice for budget-conscious homeowners in Lake Worth Beach, Riviera Beach, Boynton Beach, and Greenacres who need reliable hurricane protection without the premium price tag of metal or tile.
The absolutely critical factor with shingles is installation quality. A four-nail pattern — still used by careless or unlicensed contractors trying to save time and materials — drops wind resistance to under 90 mph. That is the difference between keeping your roof through a Category 1 hurricane and losing it. In the HVHZ, six nails per shingle is code, but I have seen four-nail jobs on homes built as recently as 2019. As a GAF Certified contractor, Mompie Construction exclusively uses six-nail patterns on every single shingle installation, verified by both our internal quality checks and GAF's inspection program.
Cost in Palm Beach County: $5 to $8 per square foot installed. A typical 2,000 square foot home runs $10,000 to $16,000. Our GAF certification means your shingle roof comes with an enhanced manufacturer warranty covering materials and workmanship — not available from non-certified installers.
Best value option for hurricane season preparation. Qualifies for wind mitigation insurance discounts with proper six-nail installation.
Flat Roofs (TPO / Modified Bitumen)
110-140 mph ratedCommon on commercial buildings and some modern residential designs throughout Palm Beach County. TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) membranes resist wind well when mechanically attached to the deck, but flat roofs face a unique and deadly hurricane threat: ponding water. A single clogged drain during a storm dumping 10 or more inches of rain can add thousands of pounds of water weight to your roof structure in a matter of hours. I have seen flat roofs in West Palm Beach collapse not from wind but from sheer water weight when drains were blocked by debris during the storm.
Proper drainage design is everything for flat roofs in hurricane country. Secondary overflow scuppers, redundant drain systems, and thorough pre-storm drain clearing are essential for every flat roof in Palm Beach County. If your flat roof was installed without secondary drainage, that upgrade should be your top priority before hurricane season.
Cost in Palm Beach County: $6 to $12 per square foot installed depending on membrane type and insulation requirements. Drainage upgrades typically add $2,000 to $5,000.
Flat roof upgrades may qualify for My Safe Florida Home grants covering up to $10,000 in hurricane hardening improvements.
Emergency Roof Repair: What to Do When a Hurricane Hits Palm Beach County
In 19 years of emergency hurricane response across Palm Beach County, I have learned that what homeowners do in the first 24 to 48 hours after a storm determines whether the damage stays manageable or spirals out of control. Here is exactly what to do at each stage.
During the Hurricane: Stay Inside, Document Everything
Your roof is not worth your life. Stay inside in an interior room on the lowest floor, away from all windows and exterior doors. If you hear cracking, popping, or rushing water sounds from your ceiling, those are signs of active roof failure — move to another room immediately. A saturated ceiling can collapse without warning, and I have seen the aftermath. Do not attempt to place buckets near compromised ceiling areas. Do not go into the attic. Do not open exterior doors to "check conditions." The wind can rip a door from your hands and compromise the pressure envelope of your home, which can cause your roof to fail.
What you should do during the storm: use your phone to record video and audio of any damage as it happens. Timestamped footage of water coming through your ceiling, wind noise, and visible damage is extremely valuable for insurance claims. If you see the eye of the hurricane pass over, do NOT go outside. The opposite eyewall can arrive within minutes with the maximum wind speeds of the storm. I cannot stress this enough — people die during the eye passage every hurricane because they think the storm is over.
NEVER attempt roof repairs during a storm. No property is worth your life. Stay inside and call us the moment it is safe.
After the Hurricane: The Critical First 24 Hours
Before stepping outside, check for downed power lines from your windows. Energized lines can electrify standing water, puddles, and metal fences up to 35 feet away. Once you confirm it is safe, walk the perimeter of your home and document every visible issue with photos and video: missing shingles or tiles, bent or displaced flashing, fallen tree limbs on or near the roof, visible holes or openings, water entry points, and displaced ridge caps. Take both wide shots showing full context and close-ups of specific damage. Include something for scale in close-ups — a ruler, a coin, or your hand.
Document EVERYTHING before any cleanup begins. Under Florida statute, you are required to provide prompt notice to your insurer. Contact your insurance company within 24 hours — under Florida Statute 627.70132, prompt notice strengthens your claim significantly. Do not throw away any damaged materials until your adjuster has inspected them in person. Do not begin permanent repairs without your insurer's approval. But do make reasonable temporary repairs (tarping, boarding up openings) to prevent further damage — Florida law requires you to mitigate ongoing damage, and your insurer must reimburse these costs.
Begin water damage mitigation as quickly as possible. In Florida's humidity, mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours after water intrusion. Remove standing water, set up fans and dehumidifiers if you have power, and remove saturated drywall and insulation. Save every receipt for temporary repairs, hotel stays, meals, and any other storm-related expenses — these are all reimbursable under most policies.
Emergency Roof Tarping: Why You NEED a Licensed Contractor
If water is actively entering your home through the roof, you need professional emergency tarping immediately. This is not something you should attempt yourself — beyond the obvious safety risks of climbing on a storm-damaged roof, there is a critical insurance reason: if an unlicensed person performs emergency repairs and something goes wrong, your insurance company can deny coverage for all additional damage. I have seen this happen to Palm Beach County homeowners who hired the first person who knocked on their door after a storm. Unlicensed storm chasers flood our county within 48 hours of every hurricane, and they cause enormous harm.
Licensed contractors carry liability insurance that protects you, provide proper documentation your insurer requires, and install tarps using methods that actually hold through subsequent rain events. A badly installed tarp is worse than no tarp at all — it can channel water directly into your home's interior walls, insulation, and electrical systems, turning a $5,000 repair into a $30,000 catastrophe. Always verify any contractor's license at myfloridalicense.com before signing anything.
What emergency tarping costs in Palm Beach County: Professional emergency tarping typically runs $500 to $1,500 depending on the size of the damaged area and roof accessibility. Your homeowner's insurance covers this as part of your claim. We provide detailed invoices that insurers accept without dispute.
24/7 Emergency: Call Mompie Construction at (561) 248-6039
Our response times by area after storm passage:
Licensed CBC 1256195 / CCC 1329890. We pre-position tarping crews and materials before every approaching storm.
For a complete guide to navigating the insurance claim process after storm damage, read our detailed insurance claims and storm damage guide. It covers everything from filing your initial claim to disputing underpayments and working with public adjusters.
Hurricane Season Insurance Checklist for Palm Beach County Homeowners
I have guided hundreds of Palm Beach County homeowners through the insurance claim process after hurricanes. The difference between a fully paid claim and a denied one often comes down to what you did before the storm — not after. Complete these steps before June 1 to ensure you are financially protected.
Review Your Homeowner's Policy Before June 1
Most Florida insurers will not issue new policies or make changes once a named storm enters the Gulf or Atlantic tracking area. That means you must review your coverage now, while you still can make adjustments. Pull out your policy and verify three things: your dwelling coverage limit reflects current rebuild costs (construction costs in Palm Beach County have risen 35% since 2020, so a policy written in 2020 may be significantly underinsured today), your personal property coverage is adequate, and your policy is active and paid through at least November 30 — the official end of hurricane season.
If your insurer has dropped you (happening to thousands of Florida homeowners annually) or your premiums have become unaffordable, contact Citizens Property Insurance, Florida's insurer of last resort. Do this now. Do not wait until a storm forms and discover you have no active policy. I have seen it happen and it is devastating.
Know Your Hurricane Deductible
Your hurricane deductible is completely separate from your standard homeowner's deductible, and it is almost always much higher. In Palm Beach County, hurricane deductibles typically range from 2% to 5% of your home's insured value. Let me put that in real numbers: on a home insured for $400,000 (about average in PBC), a 2% deductible means $8,000 out of pocket before your insurance pays a single dollar. A 5% deductible means $20,000 out of pocket. On a $500,000 home, that range is $10,000 to $25,000.
Many Palm Beach County homeowners are genuinely shocked when they learn their actual hurricane deductible amount. Check yours today and set aside that amount in an accessible emergency fund before storm season. If you cannot afford your current deductible, talk to your agent about adjusting it — a lower deductible percentage will increase your premium, but it may be worth the tradeoff for financial protection.
Understand Wind vs. Flood Coverage (They Are Separate Policies)
This is the single most misunderstood aspect of hurricane insurance in Florida, and it costs Palm Beach County homeowners millions of dollars after every storm. Your homeowner's policy covers wind damage — shingles blown off, tree branches through your roof, structural wind damage. It does NOT cover flooding — water rising from the ground up into your home, storm surge, or canal overflow. Wind and flood are completely separate policies with separate deductibles, separate claims processes, and often separate insurance companies.
Many homeowners in West Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, and low-lying areas of Delray Beach and Boynton Beach discovered this the hard way after Hurricane Irma. If you are in a FEMA flood zone (check at floodsmart.gov), purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer. Critical detail: there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period before flood coverage takes effect. Buy it in April and you are covered by June 1. Buy it on May 15 and you are not covered until mid-June — after hurricane season has already started.
Get a Wind Mitigation Inspection ($150, Saves $1,000+/Year)
A wind mitigation inspection costs approximately $150 and documents your roof's hurricane-resistant features: roof shape, roof-to-wall connections, roof deck attachment method, roof covering type, and opening protection status. In Palm Beach County, a favorable wind mitigation report consistently saves homeowners $1,000 to $2,500 per year on insurance premiums. The inspection literally pays for itself within the first month of savings, and the report is valid for five years.
If you have recently had roof work done, upgraded to impact-rated windows and doors, or added hurricane straps, your wind mitigation report may show significant improvements that translate directly into premium reductions. Mompie Construction can coordinate this inspection as part of your pre-hurricane roof assessment. Every homeowner in Palm Beach County should have a current wind mitigation report on file with their insurer.
Document Your Roof Condition Annually with Dated Photos
Take dated photos of your entire roof every year before June 1. Walk the perimeter, photograph all four sides from ground level, capture any visible wear areas, and store these images in cloud storage you can access from any device. Include wide shots and close-ups. Enable GPS and timestamp data on your phone camera. This annual documentation proves the pre-storm condition of your roof and prevents insurance adjusters from attributing hurricane damage to pre-existing wear, maintenance neglect, or aging.
I cannot stress this enough — I have personally seen legitimate hurricane damage claims in Palm Beach County reduced by 50% or denied entirely because the homeowner had no proof of their roof's condition before the storm. The adjuster pointed to "pre-existing conditions" and the homeowner had no dated photos to prove otherwise. Five minutes of photos every April could save you $10,000 or more on a future claim. For a comprehensive guide to the claims process, see our insurance claims after storm damage guide.
Save Your Licensed Contractor's Number Now
After a hurricane, phone lines are jammed, websites crash, and unlicensed storm chasers flood Palm Beach County within 48 hours. Having a trusted, licensed contractor already saved in your phone means you can reach a real professional immediately when it matters most — not scramble to find one while dodging scam artists going door to door. Verify any roofer's license at myfloridalicense.com before the storm, not after.
Save Mompie Construction now: (561) 248-6039. Licensed CBC 1256195 (General Contractor) and CCC 1329890 (Roofing Contractor). GAF Certified. 19+ years serving Palm Beach County. 263+ five-star reviews. 24/7 emergency response with average 2 to 4 hour arrival times across the entire county, from Jupiter to Boca Raton.
What Palm Beach County Building Code Requires for Hurricane Protection
Palm Beach County's position within the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone means our building codes are among the strictest in the nation. Understanding these requirements matters for two reasons: they protect your home, and compliance directly lowers your insurance premiums. Here is what the code requires and what it means for your roof.
High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) Standards
The HVHZ designation applies to all of Miami-Dade and Broward counties and all of Palm Beach County. Every roofing product installed in our county must carry a Miami-Dade product approval — standard building materials approved elsewhere in Florida do not meet our code. This includes roofing membranes, underlayment, fasteners, flashing, sealants, and the roofing material itself. When I see contractors using non-HVHZ-rated materials in Palm Beach County, I know that homeowner is going to have problems — both with their roof's performance in a storm and with their insurance claim afterward, because the insurer can point to non-code-compliant materials as grounds for denial.
All roofing work in Palm Beach County requires a building permit, a licensed contractor, and inspections at multiple stages. The permit process typically takes 3 to 7 business days. Cutting corners on permits is not just illegal — it means your roof was never inspected for code compliance, which can void your insurance coverage entirely if damage occurs. Every roof Mompie Construction installs is fully permitted, fully inspected, and fully code-compliant. Period.
Roof-to-Wall Connections: Hurricane Straps and Clips
The roof-to-wall connection is the single most critical structural element in hurricane resistance. This is where your roof connects to the walls of your home, and it determines whether your roof stays on or lifts off in high winds. Current Florida Building Code requires metal hurricane straps or clips — galvanized steel connectors that tie each roof truss or rafter directly to the top plate of the wall below. Older homes (pre-2002) in Palm Beach County often have inadequate connections — toe-nailed joints, single-wrap straps, or in some cases, no metal connectors at all.
Upgrading your roof-to-wall connections from toe nails to hurricane clips costs $1,500 to $3,000 for a typical Palm Beach County home and is the single most impactful upgrade you can make for both hurricane protection and insurance savings. A wind mitigation inspection that shows "clips" or "single wraps" instead of "toe nails" can reduce your annual insurance premium by $800 to $1,500 on its own. This is the upgrade I recommend first to every homeowner who asks me how to prepare their roof for hurricane season on a budget.
Additional HVHZ Code Requirements for Palm Beach County
Don't Wait Until June. Book Your Hurricane Roof Inspection Now.
Pre-hurricane roof inspections are FREE across all of Palm Beach County. Spots fill fast as June 1 approaches.
Hurricane Roof Preparation FAQ for Palm Beach County
These are the questions Palm Beach County homeowners ask me most often. Each answer reflects what I have seen and learned over 19 years of roofing in this county.
When should I start preparing my roof for hurricane season in Palm Beach County?
Start at least 60 days before June 1 — that means beginning in April at the latest. Schedule your professional roof inspection first, because any repairs identified need time for permitting (3-7 business days in Palm Beach County), material ordering, and the work itself. By mid-May, every roofing contractor from Jupiter to Boca Raton is booked solid, materials sell out at local hardware stores, and prices spike 200-300%. Mompie Construction offers FREE pre-hurricane roof inspections across all of Palm Beach County — call (561) 248-6039 to schedule while spots are still available.
How much does emergency roof repair cost after a hurricane in Florida?
Emergency roof tarping in Palm Beach County costs $500 to $1,500 depending on the damaged area size and accessibility. Moderate storm damage repairs run $2,500 to $8,000. Full roof replacement after a major hurricane ranges from $10,000 for architectural shingles to $36,000 for standing seam metal on a typical 2,000 square foot home. Your homeowner's insurance covers storm damage including emergency tarping. Mompie Construction provides detailed invoices that insurance companies accept without dispute and works directly with your adjuster. Our 24/7 emergency line is (561) 248-6039 — average response time 2-4 hours across Palm Beach County.
Will my homeowners insurance cover hurricane roof damage in Palm Beach County?
Most Florida homeowner's policies cover wind damage from hurricanes, but your hurricane deductible is separate and significantly higher — typically 2-5% of your home's insured value. On a $400,000 Palm Beach County home, that means $8,000 to $20,000 out of pocket before coverage begins. Flood damage is NOT covered by your homeowner's policy — you need a separate flood policy with a mandatory 30-day waiting period. File your wind damage claim within 24-72 hours with thorough photo and video documentation for the strongest position under Florida Statute 627.70132.
What's the best roofing material for hurricanes in South Florida?
Based on 19 years of post-hurricane repairs across Palm Beach County, standing seam metal roofs are the clear winner — rated for 160+ mph winds with virtually zero panel loss during Hurricane Wilma in Palm Beach Gardens. Concrete tile (140-160 mph when properly fastened) is the second-best option and very common in Boca Raton. GAF Timberline HDZ architectural shingles (130 mph with six-nail pattern) offer the best value for homeowners in Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach, and Greenacres on a tighter budget. Whatever material you choose, proper HVHZ-compliant installation matters more than the material itself. Read our full comparison in our metal roof vs. shingle guide.
How fast can Mompie Construction respond to storm damage in West Palm Beach?
Our average emergency response time is 2-4 hours across all of Palm Beach County after storm passage. For West Palm Beach specifically, our response time is approximately 30 minutes from our staging area. We pre-position tarping crews and materials before every approaching storm so we can deploy immediately once conditions are safe. We serve all 11 major cities in Palm Beach County: West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth Beach, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Greenacres, and Wellington. Call our 24/7 emergency line at (561) 248-6039.
Should I replace my roof before hurricane season in Florida?
If your roof is over 15 years old (shingles) or 25 years old (tile/metal), or has sustained damage from previous storms, replace it before June 1. A weakened or aging roof that survives normal weather will fail in hurricane conditions. Insurance companies in Palm Beach County are increasingly refusing to renew policies on homes with roofs over 15-20 years old. Replacing before season also qualifies you for wind mitigation credits saving $1,000 to $2,500 per year on premiums. Mompie Construction offers free inspections to determine whether repair or full replacement is the right call for your specific roof — call (561) 248-6039.
About the Author: Alex Mompie
Alex Mompie is the owner of Mompie Construction, a licensed roofing and general contractor serving Palm Beach County for over 19 years. He holds Florida licenses CBC 1256195 (General Contractor) and CCC 1329890 (Roofing Contractor) and is a GAF Certified roofing installer. Alex has personally repaired and replaced over 500 roofs damaged by Hurricanes Frances (2004), Jeanne (2004), Wilma (2005), Irma (2017), Nicole (2022), and numerous tropical storms throughout his career.
Mompie Construction serves all of Palm Beach County including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth Beach, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Greenacres, and Wellington. The company maintains 263+ five-star verified reviews and provides 24/7 emergency roof repair service with average 2-4 hour response times.
For a FREE pre-hurricane roof inspection or 24/7 emergency service, call (561) 248-6039 or .
Protect Your Palm Beach County Home Before Hurricane Season 2026
Every year, I see the same story: homeowners who waited too long, paid too much, and wished they had called two months earlier. Do not be that homeowner this year.
Mompie Construction — Licensed CBC 1256195 / CCC 1329890 | GAF Certified | 19+ Years in Palm Beach County | 263+ Five-Star Reviews | 24/7 Emergency Service
How to Prepare Your Roof for a Hurricane in Florida (Step-by-Step)
Whether you're looking for hurricane roof repair near me or need a complete pre-storm inspection, this is the simplified process every Florida homeowner should follow. If you need emergency roof repair near me during or after a storm, call (561) 248-6039 — we respond 24/7 across Palm Beach County.
- 1Get a professional roof inspection — A licensed roofer near me checks for loose tiles, damaged flashing, worn sealants, and weak points. Mompie Construction offers this free across Palm Beach County.
- 2Complete all repairs before June 1 — Fix any issues found. Replace missing shingles, re-seal flashings, reinforce roof-to-wall connections. Don't wait — permit processing in PBC takes 3-7 business days.
- 3Document your roof for insurance — Photograph every angle with dates. This is your proof of pre-storm condition if you need to file a roof insurance claim.
- 4Secure opening protection — Install impact windows, hurricane shutters, and reinforce your garage door. In Palm Beach County's HVHZ, this is code requirement for new construction.
- 5Save your contractor's number — After a hurricane, demand for roof inspection near me and emergency tarping spikes. Having a trusted contractor ready means faster response. Save Mompie Construction: (561) 248-6039.
Final Hurricane Roof Checklist for Palm Beach County Homeowners
Print this checklist or save it to your phone. Review it every May before hurricane season begins June 1.
Before Hurricane Season
- ✓ Professional roof inspection completed
- ✓ All repairs finished and permitted
- ✓ Roof photographed and documented for insurance
- ✓ Gutters and downspouts cleaned
- ✓ Trees trimmed 6+ feet from roof
- ✓ Wind mitigation inspection done ($150)
- ✓ Insurance policy reviewed (wind + flood)
- ✓ Hurricane deductible amount known
When a Storm Is Coming
- ✓ Impact shutters installed or windows boarded
- ✓ Patio furniture and loose items brought inside
- ✓ Generator tested and fueled
- ✓ Emergency supplies stocked (water, food, batteries)
- ✓ Garage door reinforced or braced
- ✓ Contractor number saved: (561) 248-6039
- ✓ Insurance company number accessible
- ✓ Phone charged, important docs in waterproof bag
Hurricane Roof Protection Across Palm Beach County
Mompie Construction proudly serves homeowners throughout Palm Beach County with pre-hurricane roof inspections, emergency storm repair, and full roof replacement, including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth Beach, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach, and Greenacres.
From coastal communities facing direct wind exposure and salt air corrosion to inland areas vulnerable to flooding and hidden wind damage, we provide 24/7 emergency storm response, free pre-hurricane inspections, and code-compliant hurricane damage repair across every ZIP code in Palm Beach County. Get your free estimate today or call (561) 248-6039.