Caribbean hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with peak risk from mid-August through October. If you own a Caribbean property — home, villa, hotel, or commercial building — your roof is your first line of defense, and the cost of being unprepared is catastrophic.
The good news: most hurricane roof damage is preventable with the right preparation. This is the checklist we wish every property owner across Anguilla, St. Martin, St. Barts, Antigua, BVI, and the wider Caribbean would follow.
Timeline of Preparation
6 Months Before Hurricane Season (December–February)
Goal: Identify and fix everything that could fail in a storm.
- Schedule a professional roof inspection. This is the single most valuable thing you can do. A qualified roofer will check fasteners, flashing, sealants, substrate, and tie-down points that you can't see from ground level.
- Address all known leaks immediately. An active leak before a storm becomes a major leak during one.
- Replace damaged or missing tiles, panels, or membrane sections. Don't wait — Caribbean roofing material can have lead times of weeks to months.
- Re-secure loose fasteners. Anything wiggling now will be gone in a hurricane.
- Inspect all flashing and re-seal where needed. Flashing failure is the #1 cause of post-storm water damage.
- Have major roof work scheduled and completed by April. Don't try to install a new roof in June — supply chains tighten and contractors are booked.
2-3 Months Before Season (March–April)
Goal: Final cleanup and preparation.
- Clean gutters and downspouts thoroughly. Clogged gutters cause water to back up under roof edges during heavy rain.
- Trim trees near the roof. Any branch that could touch the roof in 100+ mph winds needs to go. Falling branches and projectile damage are major hurricane risks.
- Secure or remove loose rooftop equipment. Satellite dishes, solar panels, vents, AC units — anything not anchored to hurricane-grade standards.
- Photograph your roof from multiple angles. These photos become critical for insurance claims if you have storm damage later.
- Confirm your insurance policy covers hurricane damage. Some policies have hurricane deductibles or specific exclusions. Read the fine print.
- Have hurricane straps verified if your roof is older than ~15 years. Older Caribbean homes may not have modern hurricane tie-down standards.
2 Weeks Out (When a Storm Is Forming)
Goal: Tactical preparation as a specific storm approaches.
- Monitor official forecasts daily. Trust the National Hurricane Center and your local meteorological service, not social media speculation.
- Confirm hurricane shutters or panels are accessible and tested. Make sure your shutters actually fit and close properly — don't discover the problem when the storm is 24 hours out.
- Inventory roof materials for post-storm repair. Tarps, plywood, roofing nails, sealant. After a major storm, these sell out within hours.
- Service generators and check fuel. You'll need power for at least a few days post-storm.
- Document interior valuables. Photo and video walk-through for insurance, in case roof failure leads to water damage.
48 Hours Out (Landfall Imminent)
Goal: Final lockdown.
- Secure or remove ALL loose objects from the roof and surrounding property. In Category 3+ winds, anything that can move becomes a projectile.
- Close hurricane shutters or board windows. Failed windows lead to internal pressure that can lift roofs off.
- Charge phones, cameras, and battery banks. You'll need them post-storm for documentation.
- Position tarps and emergency supplies in an accessible interior location. Not in an exterior shed that might be destroyed.
- Park vehicles away from trees and out from under the roofline.
- If evacuation is ordered, leave. No roof preparation matters if you're injured or killed.
During the Storm
Goal: Survive. Do not attempt roof work.
- Stay inside, away from windows. Even tested impact windows can fail.
- Move to an interior room or stairwell if the storm intensifies.
- Don't attempt roof repairs during the storm, no matter what you see happening. This is how people die.
- Beware the eye. If conditions suddenly go calm, you may be in the hurricane's eye — winds will return from the opposite direction within minutes.
- Document interior damage with photos as it happens, if safe to do so.
After the Storm
Goal: Quick assessment, immediate protection, professional repair.
- Wait until conditions are safe. Don't go outside until officials say it's safe — power lines, flooding, and debris remain deadly.
- Photograph all damage extensively. Before touching anything. Multiple angles, wide shots, close-ups, dated photos. This is for insurance.
- Tarp emergency damage to prevent further water intrusion. A torn roof admits water for as long as it's open — every additional rainstorm worsens the damage.
- File your insurance claim immediately. Adjusters get overwhelmed after major storms. First claim filed gets first response.
- Beware of post-storm scammers. "Storm chaser" contractors flood disaster areas. Stick with established local contractors with verifiable references — like Premier Roofing in Anguilla and the surrounding Caribbean.
- Don't sign anything binding under pressure. Some scam contractors push "Assignment of Benefits" forms that signal away your insurance claim. Have a trusted advisor review any contract.
- Schedule a professional damage assessment even if damage looks minor. Hidden damage (loosened fasteners, compromised underlayment, micro-cracks in flashing) shows up as leaks weeks or months later.
Long-Term: Building Hurricane Resilience
If your home has weathered one hurricane, it'll face another. The most resilient Caribbean properties share a few characteristics:
- Roofing systems engineered for 150+ mph wind uplift
- Hurricane-rated fasteners (stainless steel) throughout
- Self-adhered underlayment as a secondary water barrier
- Properly anchored rooftop equipment (or none at all)
- Regular maintenance schedules — twice a year minimum
- Insurance with explicit hurricane coverage and documented baseline photos
If your roof doesn't meet these standards, the time to upgrade is between storms — not after one. Caribbean roofing material availability tightens dramatically during and after major storms, and qualified contractors become booked for months.
Need a pre-season inspection?
We're booking free pre-hurricane roof inspections across Anguilla, St. Martin, St. Barts, Antigua, BVI, and the wider Caribbean. We'll document your roof's condition, identify weak points, and give you a written report — perfect for insurance baselines and peace of mind before storm season.
Related: The Best Roofing Materials for the Caribbean · Salt-Air Corrosion and Caribbean Roofs