Storm & Hail Damage Roofs in Philadelphia, PA
In Philadelphia, PA, wind does far more harm to roofs than hail. Here are the storms the National Weather Service has recorded, what to photograph once skies clear, and how to have an independent local roofer look over the damage without being rushed.
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Hail and Wind Damage, Handled Calmly
According to the National Weather Service, a derecho raced through on June 3, 2020, with a 71 mph gust measured in Holmesburg and 68 mph recorded at Philadelphia International Airport, and one NWS report logged a section of roof gone from an apartment complex. On August 4, 2020, Tropical Storm Isaias produced an EF2 tornado that touched down just east of the Philadelphia Mills mall and tracked about 20 miles into Bucks County.
On July 29, 2021, the National Weather Service says, an EF-3 tornado rated near 140 mph started in Somerton, Northeast Philadelphia, and pushed on through Trevose and Bensalem. On September 1, 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Ida produced an EF-2 tornado of about 130 mph from Fort Washington through Upper Dublin to Horsham. Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks and Delaware counties were in that storm's federal disaster declaration.
Snow brings its own strain. Ahead of the February 22–23, 2026 blizzard, which led the Mayor to declare a disaster emergency, the NWS forecast warned of heavy, wet snow and high winds. Hail shows up now and then, but it matters less here.
What This Covers
- Wind-lifted shingles. Strong gusts can break the seal and fold shingles back.
- Peeled flat-roof edges. On a rowhouse, wind can catch a membrane edge or loosen flashing along a party wall.
- Fallen limbs. A heavy branch can puncture decking or crack slate, even when the hole looks small from the street.
- Snow load and ice dams. Wet snow adds weight, and on pitched roofs, meltwater can refreeze at the eaves and back up under shingles.
Rough Numbers for Storm & Hail Damage
If storm damage leads to a new roof, these 2026 statewide installed prices per square foot give a starting point; Philadelphia prices tend to run higher.
| Cost row | Figure | Source (year) |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania 3-tab shingles, per sq ft | about $6.45 | RoofObservations, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania architectural shingles, per sq ft | about $7.10 | RoofObservations, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania premium shingles, per sq ft | about $8.80 | RoofObservations, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania exposed-fastener metal, per sq ft | about $9.50 | RoofObservations, 2026 |
| Pennsylvania standing-seam metal, per sq ft | about $14.65 | RoofObservations, 2026 |
Some insurers credit impact-rated (Class 4) shingles on their own terms, so ask yours before choosing.
The Usual Sequence
- Stay off the roof and clear of downed wires.
- Take dated photos: each side of the roof, shingle or membrane scraps in the yard, fallen limbs, bent gutters and ceiling stains.
- Keep receipts for tarps or stopgap fixes, and report the damage to your insurer as your policy asks.
- Send a request through the form. One independent local roofer will check the roof, record what the storm did and write an estimate.
- Before signing, find the roofer in the Attorney General's online Home Improvement Contractor search, and ask for its City contractor license.
From Claim to Approved Scope
The roofer's part is to photograph the damage, measure the roof and write an estimate you can share. Settling the claim belongs to you and your insurer, along with any public adjuster or attorney you choose to bring in. Pennsylvania's Insurance Department licenses public adjusters, and no contractor may be both your adjuster and your roofer on one job.
You pay your own deductible. Be wary of any roofer who says it will absorb or skip that amount yet bills the insurer in full. Giving an insurer false information about a claim counts as insurance fraud under state law. Read every page before signing, and keep claim decisions in your own hands.
What Sets This Apart
This free referral service has no storm crew, no claims desk and no prices of its own. Each request is passed to one independent local roofer, who sizes up the damage, prices it and does any work you approve. The roofing company pays this site per referral; the homeowner is never billed and never handed anything.
Common Questions
Can I back out of a storm repair contract after I sign?
Yes. Pennsylvania gives you three business days after signing to cancel a home improvement contract, wherever you signed it. Any contract over $500 must be in writing. For work over $5,000, any deposit is capped at a third of the price (special-order materials can be added), and no money is due until you've signed.
Does a storm-damaged roof need a permit in Philadelphia?
A full replacement does: L&I issues an EZ permit for a new roof covering, and a City-licensed contractor must be on the job. For a smaller storm fix, ask the roofer whether a permit applies. Homes on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places go to the Philadelphia Historical Commission first.
Is hail a big problem for Philadelphia roofs?
Not usually. Wind, tornadoes and heavy snow have done most of the roof damage here. Hail can still crack aging shingles or dent metal, and a roofer can tell you whether bruised patches matter.
You May Also Need
If the damage looks minor, read about roof repair or try the repair-or-replace quiz. For more, see full roof replacement and the Pennsylvania roofing rules.
Request a Post-Storm Look
Once everyone is safe and the roof is covered, use the form to describe what happened. One independent local roofer will follow up, look at the roof and put the findings in writing.