10/23/2026
⛈️🏠 THE TEXAS STORM CHEAT SHEET
What every homeowner should know BEFORE and AFTER a storm.
Living on the Texas Gulf Coast means dealing with hurricanes, hail, straight-line winds, heavy rain, and the occasional tornado. But knowing what to do can save you thousands in unnecessary repairs.
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🟢 BEFORE THE STORM
✔️ Take photos of your roof, gutters, siding, fence, and exterior. These can help document pre-storm conditions.
✔️ Check your homeowners insurance. Know your windstorm/hurricane deductible, hail deductible, and whether your roof is covered under Replacement Cost Value (RCV) or Actual Cash Value (ACV).
✔️ Clean gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters can cause water to back up and damage fascia, soffits, and other parts of your home.
✔️ Trim overhanging branches safely and secure loose outdoor furniture.
✔️ Know where your main water shutoff and electrical panel are located.
🔴 DURING THE STORM
⚡ Stay away from windows and exterior doors during severe winds.
⚡ Never go outside to inspect damage while the storm is active.
⚡ If water starts entering your home, stay away from wet electrical equipment and outlets.
⚡ Never climb into your attic during dangerous weather to investigate a leak.
⚡ If you hear tornado warnings, move to a small interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
🟡 AFTER THE STORM
🔎 Walk around your property ONLY when conditions are safe. Look for:
• Missing, lifted, or creased shingles
• Shingle pieces or roofing debris in your yard
• Damaged gutters, downspouts, or flashing
• Dented metal roof components
• Fallen branches or tree damage
• Ceiling stains, bubbling paint, or water intrusion
• Damaged siding, soffits, or fascia
📸 DOCUMENT EVERYTHING BEFORE CLEANUP!
Take pictures and videos of visible damage. Keep receipts for emergency repairs and temporary protection.
🚨 IMPORTANT THINGS INSURANCE COMPANIES DON’T ALWAYS EXPLAIN CLEARLY
1️⃣ Your deductible matters. A 2% windstorm deductible on a home insured for $400,000 could mean $8,000 out of your pocket.
2️⃣ Not all roof damage is covered. Normal wear, deterioration, and maintenance issues are generally excluded.
3️⃣ ACV and RCV are NOT the same. ACV factors in depreciation. RCV coverage may reimburse recoverable depreciation once covered repairs are completed, subject to your policy.
4️⃣ You are responsible for your deductible. In Texas, contractors cannot legally waive, absorb, or rebate an insurance deductible.
5️⃣ You don’t have to use the roofer your insurance company recommends. You can choose your own qualified contractor.
6️⃣ Don’t sign the first contract someone puts in front of you. Especially when storm chasers start knocking on doors.
⛔ RED FLAGS AFTER A STORM
🚩 “We’ll cover your deductible!”
🚩 Out-of-town companies with no established local presence.
❤️ OUR ADVICE?
Don’t automatically file an insurance claim just because a storm passed through your neighborhood. Have the damage properly documented, understand your deductible, and review your policy before deciding whether a claim makes financial sense.
And remember, not every storm means you need a new roof. Sometimes a repair is all that’s necessary.
⚔️ SAMURAI ROOFING SERVICES
We’re local. We’re not storm chasers. We live and work right here in the communities we serve.
🏆 Award-winning, Owens Corning Preferred Contractor
⭐ 100+ customer reviews
📍 Clear Lake • League City • Seabrook • Friendswood • Webster • Pearland & surrounding Gulf Coast communities
🏠 Free roof inspections
📱 281-508-0031
Big enough to handle the job. Small enough to care.
💬 HOMEOWNERS: Do you know whether your insurance policy is ACV or RCV? Most people don’t find out until they need to file a claim.
