Utah Wind Damage: What to Do When the Wind Hits Your Home

Utah Wind Is Serious

The Wasatch Front sees some of the strongest sustained winds in the country, driven by the canyon geography that funnels cold air from the mountains onto the valleys below. Winds gusting 75 MPH or higher are not unusual during fall and winter storms. Mouth of canyon areas - near Parleys Canyon, Little Cottonwood, Provo Canyon - are particularly prone to destructive gusts.

These winds can strip shingles, knock down fences, topple trees, and send debris through windows in a matter of minutes. Knowing what to do in the immediate aftermath makes a significant difference in protecting your home and your insurance claim.

What Wind Typically Damages

Wind damage on Utah homes tends to follow predictable patterns. Here's what to check after a significant windstorm:

• Roofing shingles - the most common wind damage. Lifted, cracked, or missing shingles allow water intrusion.
• Roof flashing - metal flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights can be pried up by high winds.
• Vinyl and aluminum siding - can crack, buckle, or be completely torn off during strong gusts.
• Soffits and fascia - the trim along your roofline is often the first structural element to fail in wind.
• Fences, carports, and sheds - lightweight outbuildings and fencing are highly vulnerable.
• Trees - large trees, especially those stressed by Utah's periodic drought conditions, can fall into roofs, vehicles, or power lines.
• Windows - broken by flying debris, with resulting water intrusion and structural exposure.

What to Do Immediately After Wind Damage

The steps you take in the first few hours after wind damage directly affect your safety and the outcome of your insurance claim.

1. Document everything before touching anything. Walk the perimeter of your home and take photos and video of every area of visible damage - roof, siding, windows, outbuildings, trees. Do this before any tarping, cleanup, or temporary repairs. Insurance adjusters need photographic evidence of the original damage; don't clean it up before you document it.

2. Do not attempt DIY roof repair. This cannot be stressed enough. A damaged roof - especially after high winds - may have compromised structural integrity, loose materials, and wet surfaces. Falls from roofs are one of the leading causes of severe home injury. Call a professional restoration or roofing company for assessment and temporary tarping.

3. Call your insurance company. Report the damage promptly. Most policies require notification within a reasonable time after a loss event. Don't wait.

4. Call Five Point Restoration for a damage assessment. We'll assess the structural damage, provide temporary protection to prevent additional water intrusion, and document everything for your insurance claim. We work with your adjuster directly.

Wind Damage vs. Storm Damage: Does It Matter for Insurance?

For insurance purposes, "wind damage" and "storm damage" are sometimes treated differently. Most homeowner's policies cover wind damage from named windstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes - but the specific language varies.

Some policies separate wind and hail damage into a distinct category with a different (often higher) deductible. In Utah, this is worth knowing before you file - call your agent and ask specifically about your wind and hail deductible before the adjuster comes out.

What about trees? If a tree falls on your home due to wind, the resulting structural damage is typically covered by your homeowner's policy - even if the tree was from a neighbor's yard. However, the cost of removing the tree itself (as opposed to repairing what it damaged) may have a separate limit. Ask your agent about tree removal coverage.

Preventing Secondary Damage After Wind

Wind damage often creates vulnerabilities that lead to secondary damage - particularly water intrusion. A missing shingle or open roof section during Utah's stormy spring season can result in significant water damage, mold, and insulation damage if not addressed quickly.

Emergency tarping and board-up services are designed to protect your home between the initial damage and final repair. Five Point Restoration provides emergency board-up and tarping throughout the Wasatch Front - call us at 801-566-1577 and we'll respond the same day.

Free Estimates - No Obligation

If you're not sure whether the damage is significant enough to file a claim, call Five Point Restoration. We provide free damage assessments with no obligation. We'll tell you honestly what we see and what it's likely to cost. If it makes sense to file, we'll help you through the process. If it doesn't, we'll tell you that too.

Call 801-566-1577 - we serve all of the Wasatch Front and respond the same day.