Storm Roof Damage in Acadiana, What to Do Right Now

Storm in Acadiana Right Now? Here Is What to Do About Your Roof.

By Jason Lopez, Owner and NRCIA Forensic Roof Inspector | June 18, 2026

If you are reading this during the storm or right after it passed, this post is for you.

A tropical system is moving through Acadiana. Lafayette is already seeing heavy rain and high winds. If you are sitting in your house wondering whether your roof held up, here are straight answers to the questions you are probably typing into your phone right now.

What should I do if my roof is damaged during a storm?

Do not go on your roof. Not during the storm, not right after. Wait until it is completely safe and dry.

Once you can safely go outside, walk around the perimeter of your house and do a visual check from the ground. Look for missing shingles, lifted edges, or debris that landed on the roof. If you see water coming in anywhere inside, get buckets down and start recording video. That video is going to matter when you call your insurance company.

Do not let anyone start repairs before your insurance adjuster has a chance to inspect the damage. This is one of the most common and costly mistakes Louisiana homeowners make after a storm.

How do I know if my roof was actually damaged?

Some damage is obvious. Some of it is not. Here is what to look for from the ground after the storm passes:

Missing, cracked, or curled shingles. Granules washing out of your gutters and downspouts, which is a sign shingles took impact. Dents or bruising on shingles from hail. Flashing that is lifted or pulled away around your chimney, vents, or skylights. Gutters that are bent, detached, or sagging. Water stains appearing on interior ceilings or walls.

Not all storm damage is visible from the ground. That is why a professional inspection matters. Most trustworthy contractors in Louisiana will do that at no charge.

How long do I have to file a roof insurance claim in Louisiana after a storm?

Louisiana law generally gives homeowners one year from the date of the storm to file a property damage claim. But your specific policy may have a shorter window written into it. Do not wait to find out. The sooner you file, the stronger your claim. Insurance companies push back harder when months have passed and it becomes harder to connect the damage to a specific storm event.

File, document everything, and let the adjuster do their job before any repairs begin.

Will my homeowner's insurance cover storm roof damage in Louisiana?

Most standard Louisiana homeowner's policies cover wind and hail damage to roofs. But the payout depends on your roof's age, your deductible, and the type of damage. Older roofs often get depreciated down, which means you get less.

Homeowners with a FORTIFIED certified roof tend to carry better policies and pay lower premiums because insurance carriers see them as lower risk. If your roof is not FORTIFIED and it took damage in this storm, this may be the right time to ask whether upgrading to FORTIFIED during the replacement makes financial sense. The Louisiana Fortify Homes Grant program is still active and can cover a significant portion of the cost.

Who should I call for storm roof damage in Lafayette, Louisiana?

Call a contractor who is licensed, credentialed, and honest about what they find. A lot of storm chasers show up after hurricanes and tropical events. They pressure homeowners to sign contracts on the spot, do shoddy work, and disappear.

Acadiana Roof Restoration is a FORTIFIED certified contractor and the only 5-Star Roof Maxx Authorized Dealer in Louisiana. We are veteran-owned and BBB A+ rated. Our owner, Jason Lopez, is an NRCIA Forensic Roof Inspector. When we inspect a roof, we tell you what it actually needs. Not what earns us the biggest job.

Call 337-999-ROOF. The inspection is free. There is no pressure.

Is there a FORTIFIED roofer in Lafayette or the Acadiana area?

Yes. Acadiana Roof Restoration is one of the only contractors in Louisiana certified to install roofs to IBHS FORTIFIED standards. We serve Lafayette, Broussard, Youngsville, Scott, Carencro, Breaux Bridge, New Iberia, Opelousas, and surrounding Acadiana parishes. We also serve the Baton Rouge metro.

FORTIFIED is the standard built for storms like this one. If you want a roof that performs the next time this happens, FORTIFIED is the answer.

What is a FORTIFIED roof and does it hold up better in storms?

A FORTIFIED roof is built to a standard developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. It goes well beyond normal building code. The system uses a sealed roof deck, ring-shank nails, and enhanced edge sealing to keep the roof from peeling away in high winds or letting water in during heavy rain.

In real-world storm testing, FORTIFIED roofs consistently outperform standard roofs. They are built for exactly what Louisiana experiences every summer.

On top of storm performance, homeowners with FORTIFIED roofs in Louisiana qualify for mandatory insurance premium discounts under Act 533. They may also qualify for up to $10,000 in state income tax credits through the Louisiana FORTIFIED Roof Tax Credit. That deadline is June 30, 2026.

What do I do right now if I think my roof has damage?

Four steps.

First, document everything. Photos and video from the ground, inside and outside.

Second, call your insurance company to open a claim and get a claim number.

Third, do not let any contractor start work until your adjuster has inspected the damage.

Fourth, call ARR for a free, honest assessment. 337-999-ROOF or 225-385-ROOF.

We are local. We are credentialed. We are here.