Central Florida is far enough inland that people assume hurricanes weaken before they arrive. Recent history says otherwise.
Hurricane Charley crossed Polk, Osceola, Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties as a hurricane, followed weeks later by Frances and Jeanne. Thousands of Central Florida roofs were lost, and the storms helped drive the stronger statewide building code.
Irma's wind field covered almost the entire peninsula. Widespread shingle loss, fallen trees and long power outages hit Orange, Seminole, Lake, Polk and Osceola counties.
Ian crossed Central Florida after landfall in Southwest Florida, bringing record rainfall and flooding to Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Volusia counties. Weeks later, Nicole hit the Volusia, Brevard and Indian River coasts.
Idalia and Helene brought surge and wind to the Nature Coast — Citrus, Hernando and Pasco. Milton made landfall near Siesta Key and crossed Hillsborough, Polk, Osceola, Orange, Brevard and Volusia counties with damaging wind and tornadoes.
Roofs built or re-roofed to the modern Florida Building Code, with re-nailed decks and secondary water barriers, consistently fared better. Edges, ridges and older decks failed first. Fallen trees caused much of the inland damage — trim before the season.
Yes. Charley (2004), Irma (2017), Ian (2022) and Milton (2024) all brought damaging winds and rain to Central Florida after landfall.
Charley in 2004 is remembered for the most direct wind damage in the Orlando area; Irma, Ian and Milton also caused widespread roof damage.
Yes. Post-2002 Florida Building Code roofs — and especially re-roofs with deck re-nailing and secondary water barriers — perform noticeably better.
Hurricane Roofing Center · (321) 444-5191 · FL CCC1337212