Wind Damage Can Compromise Your Entire Roof in a Single Storm

Central Iowa is no stranger to severe wind. From straight-line winds and microbursts to the kind of sustained gusts that peel shingles off in sheets, wind events hit the Des Moines metro every storm season. The August 2020 derecho drove 100+ mph winds through Polk County and surrounding areas, damaging thousands of roofs in a single afternoon — and wind events of 60 to 80 mph happen far more frequently than most homeowners realize.

Unlike hail, which damages the surface of shingles, wind attacks the structure of your roofing system. It lifts shingles at edges and ridgelines, breaks the seal strip that holds them down, and creates openings for water to reach the decking beneath. A roof that looks intact from the driveway may already have compromised shingles that will fail in the next storm.

Superstorm Roofing & Siding has inspected more than 14,500 Central Iowa properties and completed over $58 million in storm restoration — including extensive wind damage repair following the 2020 derecho and every major wind event since. With 29 years in Iowa construction and an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred designation (top 1% nationally), we know how Iowa wind damages Iowa roofs.

How Wind Damages Your Roof

Wind does not hit a roof evenly. The edges, ridgelines, and corners take the most force, which is why damage often starts in areas you cannot see from the ground. Here is what happens during a high-wind event:

Shingle lifting and creasing. Wind gets underneath shingles and breaks the adhesive seal strip. Once lifted, the shingle may reseat itself after the storm — but the seal is permanently broken, and that shingle will lift again in the next event. Creased shingles are cracked at the fold line and will eventually tear free.

Missing shingles and exposed decking. Sustained winds above 60 mph can rip shingles off entirely, exposing the underlayment or bare decking to rain. This is the most urgent type of wind damage because water infiltration begins immediately.

Flashing and ridge cap failure. Metal flashing around chimneys, vents, and valleys can loosen or peel away. Ridge cap shingles along the peak are among the most wind-vulnerable components on any roof.

Soffit, fascia, and gutter damage. Wind does not stop at the roof. Blown debris, falling branches, and pressure differentials can damage soffit and fascia, tear gutters from their hangers, and crack or loosen siding panels.

Why Wind Damage Requires Immediate Attention

Wind damage is deceptive. A roof can look fine from the street while dozens of shingles have broken seal strips, creased underlayment, or loosened flashing. The problems show up later — and they show up fast.

Water infiltration starts with the next rain. Lifted or missing shingles create direct pathways for water. Unlike a slow leak from aging, wind-opened gaps can send water pouring into attic spaces, soaking insulation, staining ceilings, and promoting mold growth within days.

Damage compounds with each subsequent storm. A shingle with a broken seal is a shingle waiting to tear off. Wind damage that goes unrepaired after one storm becomes much worse after the next. What would have been a repair becomes a full replacement.

Insurance timelines do not wait. Most Iowa homeowners insurance policies require storm damage to be reported within 12 months. If you wait too long to document wind damage, your carrier may deny the claim — leaving you with the full cost of replacement.

Emergency tarping may be needed. If shingles are missing or flashing is torn open, temporary tarping prevents water intrusion until permanent repairs are completed. Superstorm provides emergency response and can have a crew on site quickly when Central Iowa takes a direct hit.

The first step after any wind event is a professional inspection — not a glance from the driveway. Learn more about the full range of storm damage repair services we provide, including hail damage repair when wind and hail hit together.

Severe wind ripped the roof sheathing and shingles from this Central Iowa home, exposing the trusses beneath.

What to Expect From a Free Superstorm Wind Damage Inspection

Every Superstorm wind damage inspection follows a thorough, documented process — whether your home is in Des Moines, Ankeny, West Des Moines, Waukee, or anywhere across Central Iowa.

DJI Drone Roof Survey
We use government-approved DJI drone technology to capture high-resolution aerial imagery of your entire roof. Wind damage patterns — lifted edges, missing shingles, displaced ridge caps — are often invisible from a ladder but clearly visible from above. Drone imagery produces the kind of detailed documentation that supports your insurance filing. Learn how our drone and data technology works.

Full Exterior Walk-Around
Wind rarely damages just the roof. We inspect siding, soffit, fascia, gutters, downspouts, window trim, and any area where debris impact or pressure damage may have occurred. A complete evaluation catches damage that a roof-only inspection would miss.

Detailed Documentation Package
You receive a written report with dated photos, measurements, and identified damage. This documentation gives you the information you need when working directly with your insurance company. We provide the detailed documentation and evaluation data homeowners need, though we are not public adjusters.

Same-Week Response
We schedule most inspections within 48 hours of your call, and your report is in hand within days — not weeks. After a major wind event when hundreds of homeowners need help simultaneously, Superstorm has the crew depth to respond without delays or cut corners.

Wind Damage and Your Homeowners Insurance

Iowa homeowners insurance policies generally cover sudden wind damage to roofing, siding, gutters, and other exterior components. But the process of filing and documenting a wind damage claim has important details every homeowner should understand.

Document before you call your carrier. A professional inspection report with dated photos, measurements, and identified damage gives your insurance company the specifics they need to process your claim accurately. Calling your carrier before you have documentation often leads to an adjuster visit that misses damage a trained roofer would have found.

Wind and hail deductibles may be separate. Some Iowa policies have a separate wind/hail deductible that is higher than your standard deductible — sometimes a percentage of your home’s insured value rather than a flat dollar amount. Review your policy before filing so you know what to expect.

Know the difference between repair and replacement. Not every wind-damaged roof needs full replacement. If damage is limited to a section of the roof — a few blown-off shingles, a displaced ridge cap — a targeted repair may be the right call. Widespread damage across multiple slopes, or damage to an aging roof already near the end of its lifespan, typically warrants replacement. A contractor who gives you an honest assessment saves you time and protects your relationship with your carrier.

You choose your own contractor. Your insurance company may suggest contractors, but the choice is yours. You are not required to use any contractor your carrier recommends.

Superstorm Roofing & Siding provides the detailed documentation and evaluation data homeowners need when working directly with their insurance company, though we are not public adjusters. With over $58 million in completed insurance-covered storm restoration across Central Iowa, our documentation packages are built to give carriers exactly what they need for efficient claim processing. Visit our insurance claims page for more about the documentation process.

Build a Roof That Fights Back Against Iowa Wind

If wind has damaged your roof once, the question is not whether it will happen again — it is when. Central Iowa averages multiple significant wind events per year, and every storm season puts standard shingles at risk. The smartest move after a wind damage claim is upgrading to shingles engineered specifically for high-wind performance.

Owens Corning SureNail® Technology
Every Owens Corning Duration® shingle features the patented SureNail strip — a woven-fabric nailing zone that provides 130-mph wind warranty coverage when properly installed. The triple-layer reinforcement at the nailing line is what separates these shingles from competitors that rely on adhesive strips alone. In a state where straight-line winds regularly exceed 70 mph, nailing zone integrity is the difference between shingles that stay and shingles that go.

Impact resistance for wind and hail. Iowa storms rarely bring just wind. When wind and hail arrive together, impact-resistant shingles provide dual protection:

• Duration® (Class 3) — 130-mph wind warranty plus impact resistance rated for 1.75-inch steel ball impacts. Superstorm’s most popular shingle for Central Iowa homes. Available in 24 colors.
• Duration FLEX® (Class 4) — Same 130-mph wind warranty with the highest impact rating available. Reinforced polymer-modified core for superior flexibility and crack resistance. Superstorm’s recommended choice for Iowa’s wind and hail corridor.

Insurance savings up to 20%. Many Iowa carriers offer premium discounts for homes with Class 3 or Class 4 impact-resistant shingles. Over the life of the roof, that discount can offset most or all of the upgrade cost.

The strongest warranty in Central Iowa. As an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor — one of only eight in Iowa — Superstorm offers a warranty package no other Central Iowa roofer can match:

• 50-year non-prorated material warranty (Owens Corning)
• 25-year labor warranty (Owens Corning, through the Platinum Preferred program)
• 10-year workmanship warranty (Superstorm Roofing & Siding)

Compare impact-resistant shingle options for your home, or try our AI Roof Visualizer to see Owens Corning shingle colors on your actual house before you commit.

Why Central Iowa Homeowners Choose Superstorm After Wind Damage

After every major wind event, storm chaser crews flood Iowa. They knock on doors, offer low bids, do rushed work, and leave the state before you notice the problems. When you call back six months later, the number is disconnected.

Superstorm Roofing & Siding is the opposite of that. We have been in Iowa construction since 1997, formally established Superstorm in 2012, and operate out of two permanent offices — our headquarters in Waukee and a second location in Clarion serving North Central Iowa. We were here for the 2020 derecho, we were here for every wind event since, and we will be here for the next one.

Superstorm on-site in a Central Iowa neighborhood after severe wind damage — downed trees, damaged homes, and our crew ready to work.

Here is what sets us apart after wind damage:

• $58 million+ in completed storm restoration across Central Iowa — and growing
• 14,500+ properties inspected using DJI drone technology and comprehensive documentation
• 3,100+ projects completed with an average out-of-pocket cost of $1,800
• Owens Corning Platinum Preferred — top 1% of roofers nationally, one of eight in Iowa
• Former OC Platinum Advisory Board member — one of only 13 nationally
• Iowa’s first $25,000 Good Contractors List guarantee — your project is financially backed
• Hundreds of 5-star reviews with a 4.9 Google rating
• Calls answered 24/7 with estimates provided within 24 hours
• FNBO financing available for out-of-pocket costs and shingle upgrades

We are not going anywhere. Our phone number is (515) 225-4880, our office is at 475 SE Alices Rd, Suite B in Waukee, and we will be here long after the storm chasers leave Iowa. Read our full story here.

Wind Damage Repair FAQ

How can I tell if wind damaged my roof?

The clearest ground-level signs are shingles in the yard, visible bare spots on the roof, or displaced ridge cap shingles along the peak. But most wind damage is not visible from the ground — lifted shingles with broken seal strips, creased shingles, and loosened flashing all require a close-up inspection to identify. After any significant wind event, check your gutters and downspouts for granule buildup and look for debris impact on siding, fascia, and window trim. A professional inspection with DJI drone imaging is the only reliable way to assess the full extent of wind damage. Call (515) 225-4880 for a free inspection.

What wind speed causes roof damage?

Shingle damage can begin at sustained winds of 45 to 50 mph, especially on aging roofs or shingles with deteriorated seal strips. At 60 to 70 mph, even properly installed shingles can lift, crease, or tear free — particularly at edges and ridgelines. The 2020 Iowa derecho produced sustained winds exceeding 100 mph across Central Iowa and caused catastrophic roof damage across thousands of properties. Owens Corning Duration® shingles with SureNail® technology carry a 130-mph wind warranty when properly installed. Learn more about impact-resistant and wind-rated shingle options.

Does homeowners insurance cover wind damage to my roof?

Most standard Iowa homeowners insurance policies cover sudden wind damage to roofing, siding, gutters, and other exterior components. However, some policies have separate wind/hail deductibles that may be higher than your standard deductible. Coverage also depends on the age and condition of your roof, your specific policy terms, and timely reporting — most carriers require claims within 12 months of the event. Superstorm provides the detailed documentation and evaluation data your insurance company needs to process the claim accurately, though we are not public adjusters.

What is the difference between wind damage repair and full roof replacement?

If wind damage is limited to a specific section — a few blown-off shingles, a displaced ridge cap, loosened flashing — a targeted repair restores the roof without replacing the entire system. Widespread damage across multiple slopes, damage to an older roof near end-of-life, or structural issues to the decking typically warrant full replacement. Superstorm provides an honest assessment of which path makes sense for your situation. We do not push replacements when a repair is the right call.

How is Superstorm different from storm chaser roofers?

Storm chasers are out-of-state crews that arrive after major wind events, offer low bids, do fast work, and leave before problems surface. Superstorm Roofing & Siding has been in Iowa construction since 1997, was on the ground after the 2020 derecho, operates two permanent offices in Waukee and Clarion, and backs every project with a 50-year material warranty, 25-year labor warranty, and 10-year workmanship warranty. Our phone number — (515) 225-4880 — works today and will work five years from now.

Do you provide emergency tarping after wind damage?

Yes. When wind removes shingles or opens penetrations in your roof, emergency tarping prevents water intrusion until permanent repairs are completed. Superstorm responds quickly after major wind events across Central Iowa. Call (515) 225-4880 — answered 24/7 — and we will get a crew to your property as soon as possible.