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Texas Storm Season Survival Guide: Preparing for Wind and Hail Damage

by Miguel Caballero

Wind and Hail Damage

By Miguel Caballero, Owner of Caballero Contracting Texas


 

Introduction

Hey friend,

Let me start with something real. As a lifelong Texan and the proud founder of Caballero Contracting Texas, I’ve lived through the chaos that storm season can bring. I’ve seen what hail the size of golf balls can do to a roof. I’ve seen winds tear siding off homes like it was paper. I’ve stood next to families staring at damage they didn’t know how to handle.

That’s why I wrote this guide—not as a pitch, but as a neighbor. A fellow Texan. A guy who’s been in the trenches, both before and after the storm. This is everything I wish every homeowner and business owner knew before the skies go dark.

If you read this all the way through, you’ll walk away knowing how to prepare, how to protect your property, how to deal with insurance, and how to bounce back quickly. Let’s dive in.


1. Understanding the Texas Storm Threat

Texas weather isn’t just unpredictable—it’s unforgiving. One week it’s 85 and sunny. The next, a cold front pushes through, bringing hail, heavy rain, and 70 mph gusts.

From March to June, we’re in prime storm territory. But truthfully, storms can strike any time of year. That’s why readiness has to be a lifestyle, not a seasonal chore.

Common storm threats in Texas:

  • Hailstorms (especially in Central & North Texas)

  • Straight-line winds

  • Flash floods

  • Tornadoes

  • Lightning-induced fires


2. Wind vs. Hail Damage: Know Your Enemy

Here’s something most people miss—wind and hail damage aren’t created equal, and insurance companies treat them differently.

Wind Damage usually includes:

  • Torn shingles or roofing materials

  • Uprooted fences or trees

  • Damage from flying debris

Hail Damage tends to:

  • Dent metal roofs, gutters, and A/C units

  • Bruise or crack asphalt shingles

  • Damage car exteriors and skylights

The tricky part? Hail damage often can’t be seen from the ground. It might look okay until it leaks weeks later. That’s why I always say: get an inspection after every storm.

 


3. The Texas Storm Survival Checklist

Over the years, I’ve put together this master checklist based on real experiences helping hundreds of families. Here’s what to do before storm season:

✅ Annual roof inspection
✅ Tree trimming (anything hanging over your roof is a risk)
✅ Secure outdoor furniture
✅ Surge protectors on your main breaker
✅ Review your insurance policy
✅ Assemble or refresh your emergency kit
✅ Backup power for your phone
✅ Choose a safe interior room with no windows
✅ Make sure all household members know the plan


4. Roofing: The First Line of Defense

Your roof is your shield. When it’s weak, your whole home is at risk.

What I look for during inspections:

  • Granule loss (feels like sand coming off the shingles)

  • Lifted or curling shingles

  • Damaged flashing (that metal stuff around pipes and chimneys)

  • Soft spots in decking or underlayment

My recommendation: Upgrade to Class 4 impact-resistant shingles if you’re replacing your roof. They often earn you an insurance discount—and survive Texas storms far better.

 


5. Reinforce Your Home’s Exterior

Your windows, doors, and siding are major entry points for water and wind. If one of them gives, pressure can build up inside your home, causing even more destruction.

Upgrade suggestions:

  • Impact-resistant windows

  • Reinforced garage doors (huge for wind resistance)

  • Fiber cement siding (hail-busting and fire-resistant)

  • Storm shutters or hurricane fabric for windows

Bonus tip: Caulk and seal every year. It’s cheap, easy, and keeps moisture out.


6. Emergency Kits That Actually Work

Let’s talk emergency kits. Most people just toss some batteries and bottled water in a bag and call it a day. But here’s what I keep in my own kit (and I’ve used it more than once):

  • 3-day supply of water & non-perishables

  • Flashlights (and batteries, of course)

  • A hand-crank radio

  • Portable power bank

  • First aid kit

  • Wet wipes

  • Extra medication

  • Cash in small bills

  • Copies of IDs and insurance policies in a waterproof folder

If you’ve got pets or small kids, build your kit around their needs too.


7. Reviewing and Preparing Insurance the Right Way

This step can make or break your recovery.

Do this now:

  1. Call your agent and ask: “What’s my wind and hail deductible? What’s excluded?”

  2. Take a full video walkthrough of your home. Open drawers, show valuables, document upgrades.

  3. Store those photos and files digitally (cloud storage like Dropbox or Google Drive).

  4. Keep a physical copy in your emergency kit.

If you’ve upgraded your roof or siding, let your agent know—those changes could lower your premiums.


8. After the Storm: What to Do Immediately

Here’s the order of operations after a major storm:

  1. Stay safe. Don’t walk into standing water. Avoid downed lines.

  2. Document everything. Take 360° video of your property. Zoom in on roof and siding damage.

  3. Protect from further damage. Tarp open areas. Cover broken windows. This keeps your insurance valid.

  4. Call Caballero Contracting Texas. We’ll provide a full report and photos you can give your insurance.

  5. File your claim quickly. Most policies have time limits.


9. How We Help You Rebuild

We’re not storm chasers. We’re Texans. And when storms hit, we run toward the damage, not away from it.

What we offer:

  • Free inspections

  • Storm damage assessments

  • Temporary tarping & protection

  • Full restoration services (roofing, siding, windows, gutters)

  • Insurance assistance from start to finish

We’ve handled claims from start to finish, getting homeowners approved for full roof replacements when their insurance first said “just a repair.” We’ve done this long enough to know how to advocate for our clients the right way.


10. Why Locals Trust Caballero Contracting Texas

Let me be real with you. We’ve seen the horror stories—contractors who vanish after a deposit, shoddy repairs that don’t survive the next storm, and homeowners left paying twice for the same job.

We’re different. Here’s why:

  • Family-owned and operated

  • Licensed and insured

  • Decades of experience

  • Materials rated for Texas

  • Fast, honest, respectful service

We care because we live here too. Your community is our community.


11. Year-Round Tips to Stay Ready

Make storm prep part of your calendar:

  • Spring: Full roof inspection + clear gutters

  • Summer: Review insurance + check attic for signs of damage

  • Fall: Trim trees + reseal doors and windows

  • Winter: Replace worn weather stripping + prep cold-weather gear


12. Final Thoughts from Miguel

Listen, friend. Storms are going to happen—we can’t control that. But we can control how ready we are, how protected our homes are, and how we bounce back.

At Caballero Contracting Texas, we’re not here to scare you into upgrades. We’re here to walk with you before, during, and after the storm.

From my family to yours—stay safe, stay smart, and don’t wait until it’s too late.

You’ve got this. And if you ever need help, you’ve got me.

— Miguel Caballero
Owner, Caballero Contracting Texas


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