Hurricane season for your roof: before, at the peak, and after

The season, according to the National Hurricane Center

The NHC's tropical cyclone climatology defines the Atlantic hurricane season as June 1 to November 30. It marks September 10 as the climatological peak, with most activity falling between mid-August and mid-October. Using 1991-2020 as the baseline, an average Atlantic season brings 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.

When tropical weather reached five coastal states

Each cell shows tropical storm events and hurricane events by month in NOAA's Storm Events Database for 2016 through 2025, written as tropical storm / hurricane. No state in the group recorded any in December through April.

These are zone entries, not storm counts. The National Weather Service's Storm Data instruction enters tropical storms and hurricanes by forecast zone, so one storm crossing Georgia can be logged in many zones at once. The value of the table is the shape of each row.

What the rows say

• The peak is sharp in the Carolinas and Georgia. August through October holds 97 percent of North Carolina's tropical events in the table and 95 percent of Georgia's. Georgia's 339 tropical storm events in September is the largest single cell.
• The western Gulf starts earlier. Texas's busiest month for both tropical storm and hurricane events is August, and Louisiana's hurricane events also peak in August, with 46. Louisiana logged tropical storm events as early as June.
• Florida's season is the longest. It is the only state here with entries in May, and it logged 106 tropical storm events in November, the final month of the NHC season.

A roof calendar for hurricane country

March to May: get ready before June 1

Book your pre-season inspection and any repairs in spring, when roofers can schedule the work before the first named storm. Spring is not calm on the Gulf, though: Louisiana logged 754 hail events and 359 tornado events from March through May over the decade, so the spring inspection doubles as a check for storm damage you may not know about. Ready.gov's hurricane page suggests de-cluttering drains and gutters, bringing in outdoor furniture and considering hurricane shutters, and making sure your insurance policies are up to date.

June and July: early season

Texas and Louisiana see the earliest activity in this record. Finish open repairs, keep photos of your roof's current condition, and know who you will call.

August to October: the peak

This is when most tropical events land in all five states. After any storm reaches your area, Ready.gov's advice is to document property damage with photographs and contact your insurance company. The National Roofing Directory's guide to documenting roof damage for a claim goes through what to photograph, and the storm damage roof repair guide covers temporary protection and permanent repair.

November: Florida is still in it

Florida's 106 tropical storm events in November are a reminder that the season runs to its last day. Georgia logged 26 that month; the other three states logged none.

December to February: the replacement window

This stretch recorded no tropical events in any of the five states, which makes it the natural time to schedule a full replacement or a wind upgrade such as a FORTIFIED roof. Winter is not storm-free everywhere: Georgia logged 190 tornado events from December through February, 128 of them in January, so keep the roof dried in between work days.

Track active storms on the National Roofing Directory's Storm Center. The rest of the year is on the storm-season calendar.

Frequently asked questions

When is the peak of hurricane season?

The National Hurricane Center puts the climatological peak on September 10, with most Atlantic activity between mid-August and mid-October.

When should I have my roof inspected before hurricane season?

In spring, from March to May, so repairs are finished before the season opens on June 1. On the Gulf Coast that timing also catches damage from the spring hail and tornado peak.

Does hurricane season really run through November?

Yes. The NHC season ends November 30, and Florida logged 106 tropical storm events in November over 2016-2025, along with 8 hurricane events.

What should I do right after a hurricane passes?

Once it is safe, photograph the damage, contact your insurer and get a roofer to secure any openings. Ready.gov lists photographing damage and contacting your insurance company among its after-storm steps.