Wind Storm Damage
Greenville SC & Surrounding Counties

Wind storms can damage your roof and shingles, and if left unchecked can cause water damage to the interior of your home.

We update this page often with dates and locations of wind storms through Greenville and all of Upstate South Carolina, and we've also included photos of roofing shingles damaged by wind on the right side of this page.

The storm damage checklist below will help you identify wind damage to your roof and the outside areas of your home. These tips can be useful when filing a claim with your insurance company. Keep in mind that even properly-installed shingles may incur some damage in a severe wind storm. But we also see of lot of roof damage from mild wind storms due to: (1) improperly nailed shingles (see photo below); or (2) failure of the sealing strips on the backs of shingles.

Improperly nailed shingles: manufacturers provide specific directions about how each type of shingle is to be installed, including the number of nails and where they should be placed. For example, installation instructions might specify only zinc-coated steel or aluminum, 10-12 gauge, barbed, or smooth shank roofing nails with heads 3/8" to 7/16" in diameter. Fasteners should be long enough to penetrate at least 3/4" into wood decks or just through the plywood decks. Fasteners must be driven flush with the surface of the shingle. Overdriving will damage the shingle. Raised fasteners will interfere with the sealing of the shingles and can back out.

Failure of sealing strips on backs of shingles: most shingles have a self-sealing adhesive/glue strip on the back covered by a cellophane strip. According to most manufacturers, it is NOT necessary to remove the cellophane strip before, during or after installation. The cellophane strip prevents shingles from sticking to each other during packing, shipping and storage. It also keeps the glue from becoming contaminated from dirt, debris and sawdust, which could prevent the glue from adhering properly. After the roof is installed, sunlight and heat will activate the glue through the strip and adhere it to the shingle below. In Upstate SC, exposure to a few weeks of normal sunlight will cause the glue tabs to activate and adhere to the surface below. However, it is not uncommon for shingle blowoff to occur on a recently installed roof, simply because the adhesive tabs haven't had time (or enough sunlight) to activate and adhere.

Missing or blown-off shingles are easy to spot, and we've included some wind damage photos on this page.

If you think you've got shingle damage from a wind storm, use this checklist as a guide and then consider having a professional examine your roof. If you think you've got hail damage, see the hail damage checklist. Most reputable companies do not charge for estimates.

Wind Damage Checklist

• First of all, we recommend that you don't climb on the roof. Leave that to a professional.
• Look for the obvious signs of blown-off, torn, or curled shingles.
• Are gutters dented or damaged from fallen limbs?
• Are there any tears in your window screens?
• Cracks in the windows, or visible damage to caulking or beading around the windowpanes?
• Check your HVAC unit for dents dents from falling tree limbs, debris, etc..
• Is there any broken glass inside the house? Make a note of where it is located.
• Is there any damage to lawn furniture or outside decorations?
• Any damage to porch screens, hot tub covers, etc.?
• Inspect fences, swing-sets, decks and patios for marks, dents or scuff marks.
• Do you have outside lights? Do they still work?
• Check swimming pool for floating debris or other damage. Did you have to clean out the pool?
• Check trees for broken limbs and/or fallen limbs.
• Did you lose your electricity? Did you have food spoilage?
• Look for water stains on the ceiling, particularly in corners, around light fixtures, and around the chimney.
• Check the attic for water seepage or wet insulation.

Wind Storm Damage Estimate

• An experienced roofer with a trained eye can identify wind damage that you might have missed.
• Schedule a time when you can be there for the inspection.
• Ask for feedback about the claims process; share any notes you made during your initial walk-around.
• Get a detailed, written estimate for everything. We provide free estimates with no sales pressure.
• Ask for proof of licensing and liability insurance (we carry $2 million, more than most companies).
• Our SC Roofer's License license number is 51518, valid through June 2013.
• Verify the name and address of the business.
• Ask for references. You can some of our customer testimonials at the bottom of our homepage. We can also provide you with phone numbers so that you can talk to many of our customers directly.

How To File Your Wind Damage Insurance Claim

• Call your insurance company to report the claim.
• Explain all aspects of the damage by referring to your notes.
• If other homes in your neighborhood are already having roof work done, be sure to mention that.
• Keep detailed notes of whom you talk to, including dates and times and summaries of conversations.
• If possible, ask that the insurance company rep and roofing contractor be there at the same time.
• Let the insurance adjuster and the roofing contractor discuss the claim together.
• If some or all of your claim is denied, you may be able to appeal. Ask your roofer if he can assist.
• If your claim is accepted, clarify when you will receive payment.
• Some insurance companies do not release full payment until all repairs are complete.
• If you have a mortgage, the check might be written jointly to you and your mortgage company.
• Check with your mortgage company to see whether additional paperwork is needed on their end.

When It's Time For The Roof To Be Replaced

• Clear the driveway for materials delivery.
• Discuss with the contractor if and where any roofing trash containers will be placed during the job.
• Remove hanging pictures, and loose items from bookcases and shelves.
• Hammering and vibrations from the repair may damage these items if they are left in place.
• Make sure that the contractor has access to outside electricity for nail guns, air compressors, etc.
• If you have pets, be sure to keep them out of the way during the installation.

When The Job Is Complete

• Walk around to inspect the job. The on-site supervisor should do the walk-around with you.
• Make final payment.
• Request a copy of the manufacturer's warranty.
• Ask whether the company offers a workmanship warranty; if so, ask for a copy.
• Verify that mechanics liens have not been placed against your property.
• File all related paperwork in a safe place in case you need to refer back to it.

Wind Storm Dates & Locations

• (10/01/12)Anderson (several homes damaged in subdivision)
• (09/08/12)Woodruff (trees blow down)
• (09/03/12)Fountain Inn (one tree dowon on South Moore)
• (08/15/12)Boiling Springs (tree in roadway)
• (08/15/12)Spartanburg (reports of multiple fallen trees on roads)
• (08/10/12)Greenville (tree down on S. Florida Ave.)
• (08/10/12)Easley (tree blocking Cannery Road)
• (08/09/12)Travelers Rest (trees blown across the road)
• (08/09/12)Taylors (power line down on Reid School Road)
• (08/09/12)Greer (large tree limb down on Dillard Road)
• (08/09/12)Greenville (trees fallen on two vehicles)
• (08/09/12)Simpsonville (reports of trees down on power lines)
• (08/09/12)Anderson (multiple large trees blown down)
• (08/08/12)Anderson (Highway Patrol reported trees down)
• (08/08/12)Powdersville (trees down on Mt Airy Church Rd)
• (08/08/12)Pickens (tree down on Welborn Road)
• (08/08/12)Easley (tree on power line on McWhorter Rd)
• (08/02/12)Greenville (trees blocking road in some areas)
• (08/02/12)Marietta (tree down on Pumpkintown Road)
• (08/02/12)Tigerville (trees down)
• (07/27/12)Thicketty (power line down on Crenshaw Road)
• (07/27/12)Six Mile (several trees down in Six Mile area)
• (07/27/12)Gaffney (Trees down on Providence Road in town)
• (07/27/12)Boiling Springs (Trees down in roadway)
• (07/27/12)Liberty (Tree reported blown down)
• (07/27/12)Pumpkintown (Large limbs down at Table Rock)
• (07/20/12)Union (Tree blew over onto a powerline)
• (07/20/12)Enoree (Tree blown down)
• (07/19/12)Chesnee (Trees down on Turket Farm Road)
• (07/19/12)Chesnee (Tree down on Fish Camp Road)
• (07/19/12)Chesnee (Power lines down at Parris Bridge Road)
• (07/19/12)Pickens (Trees down on Little Eastatoee Road)
• (07/19/12)Pickens (Trees down on Highway 133; power lines down elsewhere)
• (07/16/12)Pumpkintown (Trees in road along Highway 135)
• (07/16/12)Abbeville (trees reported down
• (07/16/12)Pacolet (Several large tree limbs down)
• (07/16/12)Boiling Springs (Numerous trees down)
• (07/16/12)Laurens (Numerous trees down)
• (07/16/12)Simpsonville (trees down on Gresham Road)
• (06/24/12)Chesnee (tree reported in roadway)
• (06/24/12)Boilings Springs (tree in road)
• (06/24/12)Liberty (several trees down on Gilstrap Road)
• (05/16/12)Roebuck (several trees down on Templeton Road)
• (05/15/12)Mayo (tree down on Sandy Ford Road)
• (04/27/12)Westminster (multiple trees reported down)
• (04/27/12)Travelers Rest (report of a roof off a mobile home)
• (04/27/12)Anderson (trees down on Trotter Road)
• (04/17/12)Mauldin (tree reported down)
• (04/17/12)Simpsonville (tree fell in road in Simpsonville)
• (04/05/12)Tigerville (tree fell on residence along Camp Creek Road)
• (04/05/12)Marietta (tree in road at Hart Cut Road)
• (04/05/12)Cowpens (tree down along Cherry Hill Road)
• (04/05/12)Boiling Springs (power lines down along Hanging Rock Road)
• (04/05/12)Duncan (tree down along E. Pine and S. Main Street)
• (04/05/12)Spartanburg (tree down along Carolina Country Club Rd)
• (04/03/12)Belton (two trees down along O'Neal Street)
• (04/01/12)Joanna (multiple trees and power lines down)
• (03/23/12)Gaffney (tree down on Hwy 18 and Shrine Club Road)
• (03/23/12)Greenwood (tree down on Sherard Road)
• (03/16/12)Chesnee (tree blocking Fairfield Road)
• (03/15/12)Walhalla (trees down in Walhalla)
• (03/02/12)Cleveland (several trees reported down)
• (03/02/12)Due West (tree down on Bethlehem Road)
• (03/02/12)Greenwood (trees down on County Line Road)
• (03/02/12)Ninety Six (trees down on Louden Road and Gervais Street)
• (11/16/11)Union (tree reported on a vehicle on River Road)
• (09/27/11)Newberry (tree down on Highway 395)
• (09/27/11)Prosperity (tree fell on car near US 76)
• (09/25/11)Laurens (spotter reported numerous trees down)
• (09/05/11)Newberry (trees down on I-26 east of Newberry)
• (09/02/11)Belton (two trees down on Griffin Road)
• (09/02/11)Pauline (Report of tree in road near Hwy 56)
• (08/20/11)Whitmire (Highway Patrol reported a tree down)
• (08/21/11)Belton (large branches down in Belton)
• (08/14/11)Inman (reports of trees/limbs down and damage to structures)
• (08/14/11)Landrum (several large branches down)
• (08/14/11)Union (reports of tree on house and roof blown off a structure)
• (08/14/11)Inman (emergency manager reported major damage)
• (08/14/11)Tigerville (report of at least one tree down)
• (08/14/11)Walhalla (tree down on Oconee Creek Road)
• (08/13/11)Union (reports of fallen trees on vehicles and power lines)
• (08/13/11)Ware Shoals (one large tree limb down)
• (08/13/11)Salem (one tree down)
• (08/12/11)Easley (reports of 50-60 trees blown down)
• (08/12/11)Liberty (public report of trees down)
• (08/12/11)Tigerville (Fire Department reports clearing a tree)
• (08/12/11)Clinton (large limbs down near Holmes Bridge)
• (08/12/11)Anderson (reports of 7 injured when camper overturned)
• (08/12/11)Fair Play (many trees down in this area)
• (08/11/11)Whitmire (several trees down on Maybinton Road)
• (08/11/11)Union (trees and power lines down)
• (08/08/11)Union (utility pole snapped and power lines down)
• (08/08/11)Spartanburg (Highway Patrol reports trees down)
• (08/08/11)Greer (reports of trees down)
• (08/08/11)Greenville (Highway Patrol reporting downed trees and power lines)
• (08/08/11)Travelers Rest (reports of trees down)
• (08/08/11)Pickens (tree down across Meadowbrook Lane)
• (08/07/11)Boiling Springs (power lines down)
• (08/04/11)Union (spotter reported power lines blown down)
• (08/04/11)Belton (a few trees down around Belton)
• (08/04/11)Anderson (tree down in Anderson)
• (07/31/11)Union (tree down on Whitmire Highway)
• (07/31/11)Joanna (tree down along Highway 76)
• (07/31/11)Chesnee (large branches down)
• (07/25/11)Union (trees reported down)
• (07/25/11)Woodruff (two trees down on Wofford Road)
• (07/25/11)Reidville (large limb down on Dobson Road)
• (07/25/11)Greer (tree down at South Bennetts Bridge Road)
• (07/20/11)Blacksburg (spotter reported 3 or 4 small trees down)
• (07/13/11)Laurens (tree down at Bellview Church Road)
• (07/13/11)Ware Shoals (multiple trees down at W. Main Street Extension)
• (07/13/11)Honea Path (Highway Patrol reports a tree in the road)
• (07/13/11)Blacksburg (trained spotters report 3 or 4 medium trees down)
• (07/13/11)Greenwood (multiple reports of trees down)
• (07/13/11)Union (tree down blocking one lane of traffic)
• (07/08/11)Union (tree in the roadway on Lakeside Drive)
• (07/08/11)Fingerville (trees down on power lines)
• (07/06/11)Greenwood (trees down along Highway 178)
• (07/05/11)Simpsonville (SC Highway Patrol reports tree down)
• (07/05/11)Taylors (report of trees down)
• (07/05/11)Piedmont (Highway Patrol reports trees blow over)
• (07/05/11)Marietta (trees down)
• (07/04/11)Cherokee County (3 large trees down off Hwy 211)
• (07/04/11)Woodruff (tree in the roadway at Harris Bridge Road)
• (07/04/11)Laurens (tree in the roadway at Highway 221 South)
• (07/04/11)Spartanburg (Highway Patrol reports trees down)
• (07/04/11)Belton (two trees down along Highway 247)
• (07/04/11)Blacksburg (multiple limbs down off Highway 198)
• (07/04/11)Chesnee (reports of trees and large limbs down)
• (07/04/11)Starr (Highway Patrol reports trees down)
• (07/03/11)Greenville (five trees down in Gantt)
• (07/03/11)Woodruff (small tree down near the Fire Department)
• (07/03/11)Iva (multiple trees down N.E. of Iva)
• (06/26/11)Fair Play (tree down blocking Pine Grove Road)
• (06/26/11)Pendleton (one small tree down at Coneross)
• (06/24/11)Greenwood (Highway Patrol reports trees down)
• (06/24/11)Anderson (Police report 5 trees down)
• (06/24/11)Townville (two trees down on power lines)
• (06/22/11)Simpsonville (estimated 60 MPH wind gust)
• (06/22/11)Hickory Tavern (large tree limbs down on Highway 101)
• (06/22/11)Marietta (numerous trees down)
• (06/22/11)Greenville (trees and power lines down)
• (06/22/11)Dacusville (multiple trees down)
• (06/22/11)Central (multiple trees down)
• (06/22/11)Anderson (numerous trees down around city of Anderson)
• (06/22/11)Walhalla (trees down along Coffee Road)
• (06/22/11)Westminster (tree on power line)
• (06/22/11)Gaffney (trees snapped in half)
• (06/21/11)Duncan (trees down)
• (06/21/11)Starr (multiple trees down)
• (06/21/11)Reidville (large limbs down throughout Reidville)
• (06/21/11)Calhoun Falls (multiple trees down throughout the city )
• (06/21/11)Spartanburg (tree down near Church Street)
• (06/21/11)Cowpens (several trees down across town)
• (06/21/11)Pauline (Highway Patrol reports several trees down)
• (06/21/11)Mauldin (trees reported down)
• (06/21/11)Roebuck (large branches 6 to 8 inches in diameter snapped)
• (06/21/11)Gray Court (trees and large limbs down across town)
• (06/21/11)Laurens (multiple trees down around town)
• (06/21/11)Blacksburg (trees down on Holly Ridge Road)
• (06/21/11)Hickory Tavern (trees down along Wilson Town Road)
• (06/21/11)Greenville (large branches broken)
• (06/19/11)Travelers Rest (tree across road near Old McElhaney Road)
• (06/19/11)Greenville (several trees down)
• (06/19/11)Abbeville (one tree down on Old Abbeville Highway)
• (06/19/11)Anderson (tree blocking Simson Road)
• (06/19/11)Belton (large tree down on Rocky Ford Road)
• (06/19/11)Liberty (tree down through house on Odell Drive)
• (06/19/11)Salem (metal roof blown off house)
• (06/19/11)Mountain Rest (trees down at Fish Hatchery Road)
• (06/18/11)Honea Path (trees on roadway on US 76)
• (06/18/11)Townville (tree in roadway near 1-85 near mile marker 11)
• (06/18/11)Greenwood (several trees down along Highway 67)
• (06/18/11)Ninety Six (several trees down along Highway 702)
• (06/18/11)Cokesbury (tree in roadway along US 25)
• (06/18/11)Ware Shoals (trees reported down along roadways)
• (06/18/11)Clinton (tree in roadway along Highway 308)
• (06/18/11)Enoree (tree in roadway near Ora Road and US 22)
• (06/18/11)Anderson (trees and limbs down along Burns Bridge Road)
• (06/18/11)Jonesville (spotter reports large limbs down)
• (06/18/11)Gaffney (ham radio operator reports trees down)
• (06/18/11)Duncan (8 to 10 inch diameter tree limbs down)
• (06/18/11)Blacksburg (tree down near I-85 at mile marker 104)
• (06/18/11)Spartanburg (ham radio operator reports trees down)
• (06/18/11)Fingerville (ham radio operator reports power lines down)
• (06/18/11)Landrum (power lines down on Red Hill Lane)
• (06/18/11)Rocky Bottom (tree in roadway near US 178 and Rocky Bottom)
• (06/18/11)Westminster (trees down on Dr. Johns Road)
• (06/15/11)Abbeville (multiple trees down)
• (06/15/11)Union (multiple trees down blocking roads)
• (06/15/11)Anderson (numerous trees down in and around the city)
• (06/15/11)Moore (multiple trees down)
• (06/15/11)Woodruff (fence blown down, skirting blown off mobile home)
• (06/15/11)Greer (wind gusts up to 60 MPH; numerous trees down at GSP Airport; along Highway 296; 8-inch limbs down on Highway 357)
• (06/15/11)Reidville (numerous homes with shingles blown off)
• (06/15/11)Mauldin (at least 9 oak trees reported uprooted)
• (06/15/11)Lyman (numerous trees down along Ellison Road)
• (06/15/11)Travelers Rest (trees down at US 276 and Bates Crossing)
• (06/15/11)Taylors (trees down at Lake Cunningham)
• (06/13/11)Pumpkintown (emergency management reported multiple trees down)
• (06/12/11)Spartanburg (tree down on a house on James Court)
• (06/12/11)Lyman (brief sustained winds of 50 MPH)
• (06/12/11)Easley (trees down on Old Liberty Road)
• (06/12/11)Tigerville (tree blown down blocking Highway 912)
• (06/12/11)Salem (trees down)
• (06/12/11)Westminster (trees down and structural damage reported)
• (06/12/11)Mountain Rest (about 20 trees uprooted and down)
• (06/11/11)Duncan (power lines down at Rogers Bridge Road)
• (06/11/11)Greenville (one large tree down blocking Lowndes Hill Road)
• (06/11/11)Greer (power lines down at Rock Road)
• (06/11/11)Simpsonville (trees and large limbs reported down)
• (06/10/11)Walhalla (trees down around Walhalla)
• (06/10/11)Lyman (several large limbs and power lines reported down)
• (06/10/11)Six Mile (trees reported down)
• (06/10/11)Walhalla (trees down around Walhalla)
• (06/10/11)Joanna (many trees down on Highway 560)
• (06/09/11)Greenville (high wind gusts reported)
• (06/09/11)Laurens/Waterloo (a few trees down in Waterloo)
• (06/09/11)Greenwood (numerous tree limbs blown down)
• (06/08/11)Easley (Fire Department reports several large trees down)
• (06/08/11)Pelzer (tree on house at 106 Holiday Street)
• (06/08/11)Anderson (trees down on Highway 29)
• (06/05/11)Abbeville (trees down on Carolina Circle)
• (06/05/11)Clinton (trees down on Stephenson Road)
• (06/05/11)Fingerville (trees blocking roadways)
• (06/05/11)Blacksburg (trees across the roadway on 590)
• (06/05/11)Boiling Springs (trees and power lines down)
• (06/05/11)Pumpkintown (tree knocked down power lines)
• (06/05/11)Spartanburg (trees down and snapped off in several locations)
• (06/05/11)Taylors (reports of trees blocking roadways)
• (06/05/11)Simpsonville (reports of trees blocking roadways)
• (06/05/11)Fountain Inn (large trees down blocking some roads)
• (06/05/11)Union (reports of downed trees blocking roads)
• (06/05/11)Greenville (large branches down on Woodruff Road)
• (06/05/11)Gray Court (trees blocking roadways)
• (06/05/11)Duncan (trees blocking roadways)
• (06/05/11)Clemson (trees blocking roadways)
• (06/02/11)Spartanburg (tree down on house on Winsmith Avenue)
• (06/02/11)Pickens (spotters report a few trees down)
• (06/02/11)Cowpens (reports of power lines down)
• (05/26/11)Calhoun Falls (reports of trees down)
• (05/26/11)Landrum (part of the roof was blown off a business)
• (05/26/11)Due West (at least one large limb reported down)
• (05/26/11)Abbeville (several areas in county with downed trees and limbs)
• (05/26/11)Woodruff (numerous large limbs down)
• (05/26/11)Clinton (reports of tree limbs down)
• (05/26/11)Union (reports of numerous trees down)
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