East wind storm prep checklist for your roof
A practical checklist for Vancouver, WA and Gorge-side homeowners: what to check before an east wind storm, what to do while it blows, and how to look for roof damage safely afterward.
Stay off the roof
- During a storm
- Never climb up. Wind and wet shingles are a bad mix.
- Leak or opening?
- Call (360) 803-6405. We answer 24/7.
Cold east winds pour out of the Columbia River Gorge several times most falls and winters, and they hit east Vancouver, Camas, Washougal and the towns along the river hardest. A few minutes of preparation before a forecast wind event can keep a loose shingle from turning into a soaked ceiling. Work through each phase below and tick items off as you go. Every check here happens from the ground, from a window, or from inside the attic. Nobody should climb onto a roof before, during or right after a windstorm.
Related: wind and storm damage repair, emergency roof tarping, fallen tree roof damage.
0 of 17 done. Checks are from the ground, windows and attic only.
Why east winds damage the same slopes
East winds come out of the Gorge from one direction, so they load the east-facing slopes, rakes and ridges first. Gusts get under the leading edge of shingle tabs, break the seal strip, and fold the tab back. Once a tab has been lifted a few times, it stops resealing, and the next storm can tear it off. Ridge caps are just as exposed, since they sit right at the top where the wind speeds up. That is why our first look after a windstorm focuses on the east side, the ridge line, and any corner where the roof edge faces the Gorge.
What a crew does after the storm
When you call after a windstorm, we start by asking what you have seen from the ground and inside. If water is coming in, a crew comes out to tarp the area once it is safe to work at height, which keeps the ceiling and insulation from soaking further. After that, we inspect each slope, the ridge, the flashing and the gutters, and photograph what we find. You get a clear list of what needs repair now and what can wait. If you plan to file a claim, those photos and notes help you show the adjuster what happened.
Getting ahead of the next storm
Most wind damage starts with a roof that already had weak spots: aging seal strips, a few lifted tabs, or ridge caps nailed short. A short inspection in late summer or early fall finds those spots before the first east wind of the season. We can reseal or replace loose tabs, renail ridge caps, and fix flashing while the weather is dry. On roofs that lose shingles every winter, it may be time to look at architectural shingles with a stronger nailing pattern, or a metal roof that resists uplift across the whole panel.
Windstorm questions
How soon after an east wind storm can a crew tarp my Vancouver, WA roof?
We answer calls 24/7 and send a crew as soon as the wind has dropped enough to work safely at height. Putting people on a roof in active gusts puts them at risk and the tarp rarely holds. Until then, catch drips with buckets, move valuables, and keep the attic access open so you can watch the spot where water is entering.
What should I check first after Gorge winds hit my house in Camas or Washougal?
Start with the yard and the east-facing slopes. Look for shingles, ridge caps or flashing on the ground, then scan the east side and ridge with binoculars for creased or missing tabs. Next, look in the attic for daylight or wet spots. Stay off the roof and leave any limb near power lines to the utility.
Do I need roof photos from before a windstorm to file a claim in Washington?
They are not always required, but they help. Dated photos of each slope taken before the storm make it easier to show what changed. If you do not have any, photos taken right after the storm, plus fallen pieces kept in a bag, still help. Ask your insurer what documentation they want, and keep receipts for any tarping or emergency repairs.
Wind did damage?
Call any time. We tarp openings as soon as it is safe and fix the roof properly after.