Project Overview
On August 30, 2023, Hurricane Idalia made landfall near Tampa Bay as a Category 3 storm. The Thompson family’s home at 2847 Oakfield Drive in Bloomingdale (Brandon) sustained severe wind damage when sustained winds exceeded 110 mph. At 2:30 AM during the height of the storm, a large oak tree branch struck their roof, dislodging 18 shingles on the northwest slope. Water immediately began pouring into their master bedroom and hallway.
Mr. Thompson called our emergency hotline at 6:45 AM on August 30th (storm still ongoing). We dispatched our emergency response crew at 11:00 AM as soon as winds dropped below 35 mph (safe working conditions). By 3:00 PM that same day, we had a heavy-duty tarp secured over the damaged area, preventing further water intrusion.
During our post-storm damage assessment (September 1st), we found the damage was more extensive than initially visible. The tree branch impact had cracked 6 roof trusses, damaged 14 sheets of plywood decking, and created a compression fracture in the ridge beam. The existing roof was 16 years old, and the insurance adjuster determined a full roof replacement was warranted rather than a patch repair. This project combined emergency response, insurance claim navigation, and permanent repair.
Scope of Work
Emergency Response (Day 0 - During Storm)
- Deployed emergency crew during active hurricane conditions
- Installed 20’ × 30’ heavy-duty tarp with 2×4 batten boards and sandbag anchors
- Tarped damaged area within 4 hours of homeowner’s call
- Prevented additional water damage to interior (estimated $8,000-12,000 savings)
Insurance Documentation & Claim Support
- Met with State Farm insurance adjuster on-site (September 3rd)
- Provided detailed damage documentation with photos and measurements
- Prepared contractor’s estimate matching insurance scope of work
- Advocated for full roof replacement vs. patch repair (approved)
- Assisted homeowners with claim paperwork and ACV vs. RCV payment timeline
Structural Repairs
- Sistered 6 damaged roof trusses with engineered lumber per structural engineer specifications
- Replaced compression-damaged ridge beam section (8 linear feet)
- Replaced 14 sheets of damaged 7/16” OSB roof decking
- All structural work inspected and approved by engineer before roofing installation
Full Roof Replacement
- Tear-Off: Removed existing 16-year-old architectural shingles (single layer)
- Underlayment: GAF FeltBuster synthetic underlayment (260°F temperature rating)
- Ice & Water: GAF WeatherWatch ice/water shield in valleys, eaves, and rake edges
- Shingles: GAF Timberline HDZ Weathered Wood (130 mph wind rating, Class 4 impact resistant)
- Ventilation: Upgraded to continuous ridge vent system (previous home had inadequate attic ventilation)
- Flashing: All new aluminum valley flashing, step flashing, and drip edge
- Accessories: Replaced 8 pipe boots, installed starter strip along all edges
Storm-Hardening Upgrades
- Upgraded to Class 4 impact-resistant shingles (hail protection, insurance discount)
- Installed 6-nail pattern on perimeter shingles (enhanced wind resistance)
- Added hurricane-rated starter strips (sealed adhesive backing)
- Upgraded attic ventilation to reduce future wind uplift pressure
Challenges & Solutions
Challenge 1: Emergency Response During Active Hurricane
Problem: Hurricane Idalia was still producing tropical storm force winds (40-50 mph) when homeowner called. Standard safety protocols prohibit roof work above 35 mph winds, but home was actively taking on water.
Solution: We deployed our emergency tarp crew at 11:00 AM as soon as wind speeds dropped below 35 mph. Our crew used safety harnesses, anchor points, and worked in pairs with spotters. We installed a heavy-duty 12-mil tarp with batten boards screwed into solid decking (not just laid over shingles). The tarp held through 3 weeks of additional rain while we waited for insurance approval and ordered materials. Professional emergency tarping prevented $8,000+ in additional water damage.
Challenge 2: Insurance Claim Complexity
Problem: The Thompsons had never filed a major insurance claim. Their policy had ACV (Actual Cash Value) vs. RCV (Replacement Cost Value) provisions, and they were confused about depreciation holdback, deductibles, and what was covered.
Solution: We provided full-service insurance claim support. We met with the State Farm adjuster on-site and provided a detailed contractor’s estimate matching the insurance scope. We explained that they would receive an initial ACV check (depreciated value), then a second RCV check (full replacement cost) after work was completed. We also advocated for full replacement vs. the adjuster’s initial recommendation of patch repair, citing the structural damage and age of the roof. Final approved claim: $18,450 (they paid $1,218 after their $1,000 deductible and we worked within insurance budget).
Challenge 3: Hidden Structural Damage
Problem: The visible damage was shingle loss, but the tree branch impact had caused hidden structural damage to trusses and ridge beam that wasn’t discoverable until tear-off.
Solution: We hired a Florida-licensed structural engineer to assess the damage after tear-off. The engineer provided stamped repair drawings showing sistered trusses and ridge beam repair. We performed all structural repairs with engineer oversight and obtained a structural inspection sign-off before proceeding with roofing installation. The insurance company covered the additional structural work ($2,800) under the original claim.
Challenge 4: Material Shortages Post-Hurricane
Problem: Hurricane Idalia damaged thousands of roofs across Florida. GAF shingles were backordered 4-6 weeks due to unprecedented demand. The tarp couldn’t stay in place indefinitely.
Solution: We had pre-positioned inventory of GAF Timberline HDZ in multiple colors specifically for post-storm demand. While many contractors were quoting 6-8 week timelines, we had Weathered Wood shingles in stock and could begin work immediately after insurance approval. This allowed us to complete the project within 2 weeks of claim approval vs. 2+ months our competitors were quoting.
Timeline
Day 0 (August 30, 2023 - Hurricane Day):
- 2:30 AM: Tree branch strikes roof during hurricane peak
- 6:45 AM: Homeowner calls Rain Right emergency hotline
- 11:00 AM: Winds drop below 35 mph, crew dispatched
- 3:00 PM: Heavy-duty tarp installed, home secured
Week 1 (Post-Storm Assessment):
- September 1: Initial damage assessment, photo documentation
- September 3: Insurance adjuster site visit (Rain Right attended)
- September 5: Insurance claim approved for full roof replacement
- September 6: Ordered materials (already in stock, no delay)
Day 1 (September 10 - Monday) - Structural Repairs:
- 8:00 AM: Removed emergency tarp, began controlled tear-off
- 10:00 AM: Exposed structural damage to trusses and ridge beam
- 12:00 PM: Structural engineer on-site assessment
- 1:00 PM: Began sistering damaged trusses per engineer drawings
- 4:00 PM: Replaced damaged ridge beam section
- 5:00 PM: Temporary tarp reinstalled (weatherproofing overnight)
Day 2 (September 11 - Tuesday) - Decking & Underlayment:
- 8:00 AM: Structural engineer final inspection and sign-off
- 9:00 AM: Replaced 14 sheets damaged decking
- 11:00 AM: Completed tear-off of remaining old shingles
- 12:00 PM: Lunch break
- 1:00 PM: Installed GAF FeltBuster synthetic underlayment
- 3:00 PM: Installed ice/water shield in valleys and along eaves
- 5:00 PM: Roof fully weatherproofed with underlayment
Day 3 (September 12 - Wednesday) - Shingle Installation:
- 8:00 AM: Installed aluminum valley flashing and drip edge
- 9:00 AM: Began shingle installation with starter strips
- 12:00 PM: Lunch break, 50% of shingles installed
- 1:00 PM: Continued shingle installation
- 4:00 PM: Installed ridge vents and ridge cap shingles
- 5:00 PM: Installed pipe boots, detail work
- 5:30 PM: Final cleanup with magnetic nail sweep
Day 4 (September 13 - Thursday):
- 10:00 AM: Hillsborough County building inspector final inspection (passed)
- 2:00 PM: Homeowner walkthrough and warranty documentation
Week Following:
- September 18: Submitted completion documentation to State Farm for RCV payment release
- September 25: Homeowners received RCV check (full replacement cost minus ACV already paid)
Results
Inspection & Code Compliance
Hillsborough County building inspector passed both the structural repairs and final roofing installation on first attempt. Inspector specifically noted the quality of the engineer-supervised structural work and proper installation of wind-resistant roofing details.
Structural engineer provided final sign-off letter for homeowner’s records and insurance file.
Homeowner Satisfaction
Mr. Thompson (homeowner):
“After Hurricane Idalia ripped off part of our roof, Rain Right responded within 4 hours with emergency tarping. They worked with our insurance company through every step and turned a disaster into a smooth process. The new roof looks better than our old one and we feel prepared for future storms. The fact that they had materials in stock when everyone else was quoting 2+ month delays was incredible.”
Mrs. Thompson added:
“The emergency tarp saved our home. Water was pouring in and we had no idea what to do. Rain Right’s emergency crew came out while it was still raining and got us protected. Then they handled all the insurance paperwork, which was overwhelming. We can’t thank them enough.”
Insurance Results
- Total insurance claim approved: $18,450
- Homeowner out-of-pocket: $1,218 (after $1,000 deductible)
- Emergency tarping cost: $650 (covered by insurance)
- Structural repairs: $2,800 (covered by insurance after engineer documentation)
Warranty Coverage
- 15-year workmanship warranty from Rain Right Roofing
- GAF Lifetime Limited Material Warranty on Timberline HDZ shingles
- 10-year structural repair warranty on sistered trusses and ridge beam work
Additional Benefits
- Insurance discount: Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for 10-15% insurance premium reduction (Thompsons saving $280/year)
- Hurricane protection: Upgraded from 90 mph to 130 mph wind rating
- Energy efficiency: Improved attic ventilation reducing cooling costs
- Peace of mind: Storm-hardened roof ready for future hurricanes
Cost Breakdown
Total Investment: $17,232 (covered by insurance minus $1,000 deductible)
Itemized:
-
Emergency Tarping: $650
- Materials (12-mil tarp, batten boards, fasteners): $180
- Labor (emergency response during storm): $470
-
Materials: $6,400
- GAF Timberline HDZ Class 4 shingles: $3,200
- FeltBuster synthetic underlayment: $850
- Ice/water shield (valleys, eaves): $550
- Starter shingles + ridge cap: $680
- Flashing, vents, pipe boots: $520
- Nails, adhesive, misc: $600
-
Labor: $6,200
- 3-person crew × 3 days @ $690/day/person
- Includes tear-off, installation, cleanup
-
Structural Repairs: $2,800
- Sistered trusses (materials + labor): $1,600
- Ridge beam replacement: $800
- Structural engineer inspection: $400
-
Decking Replacement: $1,050
- 14 sheets 7/16” OSB @ $35/sheet = $490
- Labor for removal & installation: $560
-
Permits & Inspections: $550
- Hillsborough County building permit: $425
- Structural inspection: $125
-
Tear-Off & Disposal: $900
- Dumpster rental (30-yard): $500
- Labor for tear-off: $400
-
Insurance/Overhead: $450
- Insurance coordination time
- Documentation and adjuster meetings
Insurance Payment Timeline:
- Initial ACV check: $11,230 (paid at claim approval)
- Final RCV check: $6,220 (paid after completion documentation)
- Homeowner deductible: $1,000
- Total homeowner cost: $1,218 (contractor price within insurance budget)
Photos
Hurricane Damage: Tree branch impact hole, missing shingles, exposed decking with water damage Emergency Tarp: Heavy-duty tarp installation with batten boards preventing further damage Structural Repairs: Sistered trusses and ridge beam replacement with engineer oversight Final Result: New GAF Weathered Wood roof, storm-hardened and insurance-discount qualified
Materials Used
- Shingles: GAF Timberline HDZ Weathered Wood (Class 4 impact resistant, 130 mph wind rating)
- Underlayment: GAF FeltBuster synthetic (260°F temperature rating)
- Ice/Water Shield: GAF WeatherWatch (valleys, eaves, rakes)
- Ridge Vent: GAF Cobra continuous ridge vent
- Starter: GAF Pro-Start hurricane-rated starter strip
- Ridge Cap: GAF Timberline HDZ ridge cap shingles
- Flashing: Aluminum valley flashing, drip edge, step flashing
- Pipe Boots: OATEY rubber pipe boots (8 total)
- Structural: Engineered lumber for truss sistering, LVL beam for ridge repair
Lessons Learned
What Went Well
- Emergency response within 4 hours prevented major water damage
- Insurance claim process smooth with contractor advocacy and documentation
- Pre-positioned inventory eliminated material shortage delays
- Structural engineer involvement ensured proper repairs and insurance coverage
Challenges Overcome
- Worked safely during marginal weather conditions for emergency tarping
- Navigated complex insurance ACV/RCV payment structure with homeowner education
- Discovered and properly repaired hidden structural damage
- Completed project during peak post-hurricane demand with zero delays
Hurricane Preparedness Tips
Based on our experience with Hurricane Idalia and 100+ storm damage projects:
Before Hurricane Season:
- Inspect roof for loose/damaged shingles, deteriorated flashing
- Trim overhanging tree branches (Thompson’s damage was preventable)
- Review insurance policy (understand ACV vs. RCV, deductibles, coverage limits)
- Document pre-storm roof condition with photos
During Hurricane:
- Never attempt roof repairs during high winds
- Move valuables away from known roof weak points
- Have tarps and buckets ready for interior leak containment
- Save emergency roofing contractor numbers (call early)
After Hurricane:
- Document all damage with photos before temporary repairs
- Call insurance company within 24-48 hours
- Get emergency tarping ASAP to prevent additional damage
- Beware of storm-chasing contractors (use local, licensed, insured companies)
Service Area
We provide 24/7 emergency storm damage response throughout Tampa Bay:
Emergency Hotline: Available 24/7/365 for storm damage response