Why Hurricane Prep Starts With Your Roof

Aloha. Hawaii's hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and if you have read our 2026 season forecast, you know NOAA is calling for an above-normal year. Here is the good news: the roofs that come through a storm in one piece are almost always the ones that were ready before the first cloud showed up. And roof condition is one of the few storm variables you actually control.

This is your complete pre-season checklist. Work through it now, while the weather is calm, and you will be in far better shape than the neighbor scrambling for a tarp in November.

Part 1: Your Roof

You do not need to get up on the roof yourself, and you should not. Most of this you can check from the ground or from your attic. If anything looks off, that is what we are here for.

Check the roof surface from the ground

• Lifted, curled, cracked, or missing shingles. These are the first places wind gets a grip.
• Sagging or uneven sections along the roofline, which can signal a deeper structural issue.
• Loose or lifted flashing around chimneys, skylights, and where the roof meets a wall.
• Granules collecting in gutters or at downspout outlets, a sign your shingles are wearing out.

Check the penetrations

In Hawaii, leaks usually start at the things that poke through your roof, not the shingles themselves. Our guide to the surprising causes of roof leaks goes deep on this, but before a storm, pay attention to:

• Pipe boots, the rubber collars around plumbing vents, which crack and harden under our sun.
• Vents and their housings for bathrooms, kitchens, and the attic.
• Solar mounts. Every bracket is a hole in your roof, and high winds work on those seals.

Clear your gutters and drainage

Clogged gutters are one of the most common ways a storm gets water into your home. When water cannot drain, it backs up under the roof edge and finds its way inside. Clear leaves and debris from gutters, downspouts, and valleys so the heavy rain has somewhere to go.

Get a professional inspection if your roof is older or you are unsure

If your roof is more than ten years old, has not been looked at in a while, or you simply cannot tell what shape it is in, get a set of trained eyes on it before the season ramps up. A professional roof inspection catches the weak points a ground-level look will miss, and it is the single best thing you can do to avoid a nasty surprise mid-storm.

Part 2: Around Your Home

Your roof does not face the storm alone. A few hours in the yard now pays off:

• Trim trees and branches that overhang or touch the roof. In high wind they become both sandpaper and projectiles.
• Secure or store loose objects. Patio furniture, planters, trash cans, and yard tools all become flying debris in a hurricane. Know where they will go before a warning is issued.
• Check your windows and doors. Make sure they seal and latch properly. If you have shutters or plywood, confirm it is on hand and fits.
• Inspect the garage door. It is often the largest opening on a home and a common failure point. If wind gets in, it pushes up on the roof from the inside.

Part 3: Document Everything Now

This step costs nothing and can be worth thousands if you ever file a claim. Before any storm:

• Photograph your roof and home while everything is in good shape. Clear, dated photos give you a baseline that proves what the storm actually changed.
• Take a quick video walkthrough of each room and your home's exterior.
• Find your insurance policy and read it. Know what is covered, and especially know your hurricane deductible, which works differently from your standard one. Our guide to hurricane insurance in Hawaii breaks that down.
• Save digital copies of your policy, photos, and key documents somewhere you can reach them even if the power is out.

Part 4: Have a Plan and a Kit

Prep is not just the building. Make sure your family is ready too:

• A supply kit with water (one gallon per person per day for at least two weeks in Hawaii, since resupply to the islands can be slow), non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and a first-aid kit.
• A way to charge phones and get emergency alerts if the power goes out.
• A simple family plan: where you will go, how you will stay in touch, and what you grab on the way out.

Part 5: If a Hurricane Warning Is Issued

Once a storm is bearing down, it is too late for big projects, so focus on the essentials and stay safe:

• Do not get on your roof. Last-minute roof work in rising wind is how people get seriously hurt. It is not worth it.
• Bring in or tie down everything loose outside.
• Close and secure shutters or board up windows.
• Charge devices, fill water containers, and move valuables away from windows and to higher shelves.
• Follow official guidance from Honolulu emergency management about evacuation and shelters.

Part 6: After the Storm

When it is safe, document any damage right away and do not throw anything out before it is photographed. Hidden roof damage is common and often is not visible from the ground, so a professional inspection is the safe way to know what really happened. We walk through the whole process, including how to file your claim, in our storm-damage action guide, and we offer insurance claim assistance so you are not facing the adjuster alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I prepare my roof for hurricane season in Hawaii?

Now, before the season peaks. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with activity usually strongest in late summer and early fall. Prepping early means you are not competing for a roofer's time once a storm is in the forecast.

Should I get on my roof to inspect it myself?

No. Almost everything on this checklist can be done from the ground or your attic. Roof work is dangerous, especially for anyone without the right training and gear, and it is even more dangerous in wind or rain. Leave the up-close inspection to a professional.

Will a pre-season inspection help with an insurance claim later?

Yes. A documented inspection before the season gives you a dated baseline of your roof's condition. If a storm causes damage, that record makes it much easier to show what the storm did and to get a fair settlement.

How much does a pre-season roof inspection cost?

We offer free roof inspections for Oahu homeowners. It is the easiest way to head into the season knowing exactly where you stand.

Get Your Roof Storm-Ready

I am Art, and I run Oahu Roof Support. We help homeowners across the island, from the North Shore to Mililani, Ewa, Kapolei, the Waianae Coast, Waipahu, and Kaneohe, get ready before the weather turns. We will inspect your roof, tell you straight what shape it is in, and handle whatever needs doing, coordinating trusted, licensed crews. No pressure, no scare tactics, just a clear plan from people who understand Hawaii roofs.

The simplest first step is a free roof check. Call or text us at (808) 517-5387, or fill out the form below, and we will set it up before the next storm rolls in.

Stay safe out there, and mahalo for reading.