Delaware is not immune to tornadoes
Tornadoes in the First State are usually brief and fast-moving, but they happen — often embedded in summer storms or the outer bands of tropical systems. Tropical Storm Isaias in August 2020 produced tornadoes in Delaware, including a long-track twister across Kent and New Castle counties. Remnants of other tropical systems and severe derechos have brought widespread straight-line wind damage too.
What we see on wind claims
- Creased and lifted shingles that look intact from the ground but have lost their seal — a common source of under-scoped roofs.
- Siding and trim where replacement panels no longer match and a single wall can’t be repaired in isolation.
- Fences, sheds and carports under other-structures coverage.
- Structural damage where uplift has shifted trusses, rafters or wall connections.
- Water intrusion after the wind opened the building, which can affect interiors long after the storm.
Which deductible applies?
Coastal Delaware policies often carry a separate hurricane or named-storm deductible, sometimes stated as a percentage of dwelling coverage. Whether it applies depends on how your policy defines the triggering event. Getting that right can change the payment by thousands of dollars, so we read the definitions with you. Our hurricane deductible calculator shows the difference in dollars.
Documenting a wind loss for appraisal
We map damage direction across the roof and walls, test the sealant strip on shingles, and photograph collateral damage such as bent gutters, missing ridge cap and displaced siding. That evidence ties the damage to the storm date and supports a full, defensible scope.
Frequently asked questions
Can wind damage show up later?
Yes. Shingles that lost their seal may not leak until the next heavy rain. Report the damage promptly once you find it, and keep records of the storm date.
Do tornado claims get a special deductible?
That depends on your policy. Some wind or hurricane deductibles apply only to named storms; others apply to any windstorm. Read the definitions carefully.
My neighbor got a new roof and I didn’t. Why?
Roofs differ in age, material, orientation and documentation. A comparison of both estimates often shows where yours was under-scoped.
Related services
Hurricane & Coastal Storm Appraisal
Named storms and their remnants: wind, wind-driven rain and the wind-versus-flood question at the shore.Learn more
Water Damage Claim Appraisal
Burst pipes, appliance leaks and storm intrusion: drying, tear-out, matching and mold.Learn more