How do you spot wind damage on a Cape Fear roof?

Where wind attacks a coastal roof

Short answer: at the perimeter. Air flowing over the eaves, gables and ridge creates suction that pulls upward hardest at corners and edges, so damage almost always starts there and works inward.

• Corners and rakes: the first shingles to lift, especially on gable ends facing the ocean or sound.
• Ridge and hip caps: exposed on both sides and often torn off first.
• Eaves: wind gets under the starter course, especially where drip edge is loose or missing.
• Metal panels and trim: fasteners back out and edge trim peels, which lets wind get under the panels.
• Porch and lanai roofs: open underneath, so wind pushes up from below as well as pulling from above.

What does wind damage look like?

Hail leaves round, random impact marks instead. One storm can do both; see spotting hail damage on a coastal roof.

How strong is wind here?

Short answer: strong enough to damage roofs several times a year somewhere in the three counties, and far stronger in a hurricane.

NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 209 thunderstorm wind reports in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties from 2006 through 2025, most in June and July. The highest measured thunderstorm gusts in that record were about 81 mph at Surf City on January 9, 2024, about 77 mph at Fort Fisher on March 12, 2022, and about 75 mph at Wilmington's airport on June 23, 2011 (converted from knots). Hurricanes go further: during Florence on September 14, 2018, the National Weather Service in Wilmington recorded a 105 mph gust at the airport, 92 mph in Hampstead and 86 mph at Johnny Mercer Pier in Wrightsville Beach.

The National Weather Service's severe thunderstorm threshold is 58 mph, but older shingles whose seal strips have weakened in coastal heat can lift at lower speeds.

On the coast, wind damage is the most common roof claim. Ocean-facing roofs at Wrightsville, Carolina, Kure and Oak Island beaches lose ridge caps and edge shingles first.

Creased shingles and coastal claims

A creased shingle can look normal from the street, but its seal is broken and it is likely to blow off in the next nor'easter or tropical storm. Creases are a common point of disagreement with adjusters, especially on older roofs. Ask your roofer to photograph each one close up with a chalk mark, and to note whether the seal strip is broken.

Which policy and deductible apply?

Short answer: wind is covered on most homeowners and NCIUA wind policies as a sudden loss, but which policy and which deductible depends on your coverage and the storm.

• If an NCIUA (Beach Plan) policy covers windstorm and hail, wind claims usually go there.
• A named-storm deductible usually applies only when a named tropical system triggers it; a nor'easter or thunderstorm normally uses your wind/hail or all-perils deductible.
• Insurers separate sudden wind damage from age, salt corrosion and installation problems. Dated "before" photos help.
• If only a few shingles are missing, ask how the insurer will handle matching if new shingles will not match.

See reading a coastal policy and hurricane claims.

Documenting wind damage

• Pick up and photograph shingle pieces, trim and vent caps from the yard, and where they came from.
• Zoom in on edges, rakes and the ridge from the ground.
• Note when the strongest gusts hit, and save the NWS warning or storm report from the Storm Center.
• Check siding, screens, fences, docks and sheds, which may be separate items.
• Tarp exposed decking; see emergency tarping.

Building a stronger coastal roof

The IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard uses a sealed roof deck, ring-shank nails and stronger edge details to resist wind and wind-driven rain. NCIUA has run grant programs for FORTIFIED roofs: Strengthen Your Roof (up to $10,000, rating territories 110 and 120 on the Outer Banks and barrier islands) and Strengthen Your Coastal Roof (up to $6,000, territories 130 to 160 in the 18 coastal counties, launched July 15, 2025). Grants are first come, first served, so check whether funds remain and whether your address qualifies. Ask your agent about any FORTIFIED premium credit.