Hurricane Roof Damage on Commercial Buildings in Tampa, FL

Wind pulls a flat roof up, not down

Most people picture a hurricane pushing down on a roof. On a flat or low-slope commercial roof, it does the opposite. Wind blowing over the roof pulls it up, a lot like the lift on an airplane wing. The pull is strongest at the corners and along the edges.

That is why storm damage on a commercial roof so often starts at the perimeter. If the edge metal bends or the first row of fasteners lets go, wind can get under the membrane and peel it back like a sticker. Florida roof systems are tested and approved for how much uplift they can hold, and the code asks for more holding power at the corners and edges than in the middle of the roof.

Why Tampa roofs take a beating

Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center. The Tampa Bay area has had a hard run lately. In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene pushed water to 6.67 feet above normal high tide at Clearwater Beach. Two weeks later, Hurricane Milton brought gusts of about 96 mph at Tampa International Airport and about 101 mph at Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, according to the National Weather Service.

Milton also shredded most of the fabric roof on Tropicana Field. That roof was said to be built for winds up to 115 mph. Big roofs with long edges are exactly where wind finds a weak spot.

Rain is the second hit. Milton dropped more than 16 inches of rain in parts of Pinellas County. A roof with a lifted edge or a torn seam does not stand a chance against that much water.

When it is minor and when it is urgent

A few scrapes, a small torn flashing or one clogged drain is usually a standard repair. Get it done before the next storm.

It is urgent if a section of membrane is lifted or peeled, if edge metal is loose, if water is coming in near power, or if the deck sags. A lifted section can tear off fully in the next big wind. Keep people clear and call right away.

Insurance basics for property managers

Florida law gives policyholders 1 year after the date of loss to give notice of a new property claim, and 18 months for a supplemental claim. For a hurricane, the date of loss is the landfall date.

Florida also limits what a roofer can do. Under Florida Statute 489.147, a roofing contractor cannot explain your policy or adjust your claim unless licensed as a public adjuster, and cannot offer gifts or rebates for filing a claim. The inspector documents the damage and writes the estimate. Your agent or adjuster handles the claim.