How often Texas records hail and wind
NOAA's Storm Events database lists 2,046 hail records of 1 inch or larger in Texas counties from July 2024 to June 2026, and 396 of them at 2 inches or larger. It lists 1,999 thunderstorm, high or strong wind records of 50 knots or more and 222 tornado records. Tarrant County leads the hail count with 108, ahead of Williamson with 66. That's weather, not a count of damaged roofs.
What storm damage repair costs in Texas: estimates, not quotes
Our model puts storm damage with water damage at $690 to $5,600 per repair with water damage. It comes from one national range, 15 percent wider at each end and scaled by the Texas roofer wage ratio of 0.81, and no Texas company price is in it. The national sources disagree, so the band is wide.
Your insurer's estimate and a company's written price may both differ from it, since it's modeled and not quoted.
| Item | Figure | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated range, not a quote | $690 to $5,600 per repair with water damage | Built from one national published range, adjusted by the Texas roofer wage ratio (0.81). Twelve Texas roofing companies publish a price we could count on their own websites; where five or more price the same job, the range is the middle half of their prices, and where two to four do, the estimate is widened to take them in. Coupons, specials and figures a page gives as an average are not counted. Basis: no state company sample (no counted Texas company price for this job), national estimate only. |
| Roofer wage, Texas mean | $22.69 an hour | Texas roofer pay from BLS May 2025; a labor figure and not a storm repair price. |
Estimated range. Built from national published ranges (1 source), adjusted by Texas's roofer wage ratio to the US (0.81, BLS May 2025), plus the local permit fee where the city publishes one. Not a quote. Twelve Texas roofing companies publish a price we could count on their own websites; where five or more price the same job, the range is the middle half of their prices, and where two to four do, the estimate is widened to take them in. Coupons, specials and figures a page gives as an average are not counted. We have no counted Texas company price for this job, so the range is our national estimate alone. Full method. Prices as of Oct 23, 2026.
Repair or replace after storm damage
What the policy pays follows the insurer's estimate. An older roof may be paid at actual cash value under TDI's roof guidance, and an insurance company won't pay for a new roof just because the old one is worn out. If the estimate and the company's scope differ, ask the adjuster for the difference in writing.
- The adjuster's scope covers specific slopes or shingles.
- The deck under the damaged area is sound.
- Hail has damaged most slopes and the policy covers replacement.
- The deck or framing is damaged, which cities such as Killeen treat as permit work at any size.
Federal disaster declarations since 2023
OpenFEMA lists seven Texas declarations dated since January 2023, leaving out fire-management ones. The latest, DR-4935 of September 1, 2026, covers severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding in 23 counties. DR-4781, declared in May 2024 for the same mix of storms, covered 83.
The claim clocks
TDI says the company has 15 business days to acknowledge the claim and 15 business days after it gets what it needs to accept or reject it. A rejection must be in writing with reasons. The company can extend the second deadline by 45 days if it explains why, and TDI can add 15 days after a weather-related catastrophe. Then it pays within five business days. A 2018 copy of Insurance Code chapter 542 adds damages under section 542.060 when payment is delayed more than 60 days (later amendments may differ).
The 61-day notice before a lawsuit
For hail, wind and other weather claims, HB 1774 as enacted in 2017 requires written notice no later than the 61st day before filing suit, stating the amount alleged to be owed and the attorney's fees. It doesn't apply to suits against the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. Amendments since 2017 may have changed it.
Deductible, depreciation and the contractor
With replacement cost coverage, TDI says, the first payment is the repair estimate minus depreciation, and the second comes after repairs are done. Under the 2019 enacted text of HB 2102, the insurer may hold back that depreciation until it sees proof you paid your deductible. A contractor who offers to waive it is breaking the law, TDI says.
Storm damage that cannot wait
- Water is coming through the ceiling during or just after the storm.
- Decking is exposed to rain where shingles were stripped.
- Granule loss or dents that you have photographed and reported.
- A damaged fence or gutter, while you are still waiting on the adjuster.
What to settle before work starts
- Get written bids that show each company's name, phone and address.
- Report the claim to your insurer and write down the date you did.
- Get any contract in writing, with no blank sections.
Permits and inspections after a storm
For shingle and deck damage, Dallas's roofing permit comes over the counter or online, and joist or rafter damage needs a building permit. In the 14 coastal counties and Harris County east of Highway 146, TDI treats re-roofs and major repairs as work needing a windstorm inspection, and temporary repairs as work that doesn't.
Texas has no state roofing license to check, so before any work starts, ask for the certificate of insurance and call the companies listed on it.
Questions people ask
How much does storm damage roof repair cost in Texas?
We estimate $690 to $5,600 per repair with water damage, and your insurer's figure may differ. The range is wide and rests on one national source. Your claim estimate decides how much the policy pays.
How long does my insurer have to pay a Texas storm claim?
15 business days to acknowledge, 15 to decide, then five business days to pay. TDI can extend its deadlines by 15 days after a weather-related catastrophe, and the company can take 45 days more to decide if it explains why.
Does Texas make me wait 61 days before suing over a hail claim?
You must give written notice at least 61 days before filing suit. HB 1774's 2017 enacted text requires the notice to state the amount owed and the attorney's fees, and it excludes TWIA. The current code may differ.
Does a Texas insurer owe interest on a late storm claim?
Yes, though weather claims use a different rate than other claims. A 2018 copy of chapter 542 sets 18 percent a year. For hail and wind claims, HB 1774's 2017 text swaps that for simple interest at the Finance Code section 304.003 rate plus five percent. Later amendments to either may differ.
What proof of my deductible can the insurer ask for?
A canceled check, a money order receipt, a credit card statement or a copy of the payment plan with the contractor. TDI lists those four, and says the insurer can ask for the proof before it pays the full claim.
- BLS Public Data API v1, series OEUS480000000000047218103 (Texas) and OEUN000000000000047218103 (US) Read Oct 23, 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025: Roofers (SOC 47-2181), United States, mean hourly wage Read Oct 23, 2026.
- RooferMatch: how we estimate costs, Texas (editorial policy) Read Oct 23, 2026.
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database bulk CSV files Read Oct 23, 2026.
- OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries v2 Read Oct 23, 2026.
- TDI: Steps to getting your home or car insurance claim paid Read Oct 23, 2026.
- Texas Insurance Code ch. 542 (Wayback 2018-04-06 copy of statutes.legis.state.tx.us) Read Oct 23, 2026. Confirm with the source before you rely on it.
- Texas Legislature Online: HB 1774, 85(R), enrolled version Read Oct 23, 2026. Confirm with the source before you rely on it.
- Texas Legislature Online: HB 2102, 86(R), enrolled version Read Oct 23, 2026. Confirm with the source before you rely on it.
- TDI: Is it OK for a contractor to waive my deductible?; TDI: New state law cracks down on roof scams (2019-08-07) Read Oct 23, 2026.
- TDI: Insurance and your roof Read Oct 23, 2026.
- City of Dallas: Storm damage repair information Read Oct 23, 2026.
- TDI Windstorm Inspections: What is the Windstorm Inspection Process? Read Oct 23, 2026.
- TDI: Home repairs that don’t require a windstorm inspection Read Oct 23, 2026.
- TDI: What you need to know about windstorm inspections; TDI WPI-8 fact sheet (PDF) Read Oct 23, 2026.
- City of Killeen: Roofing Permits Requirements; Building Projects That Require Permits Read Oct 23, 2026.
- TDI: Do you know the signs of a contracting scam? Read Oct 23, 2026.