Tornado property damage can strike without warning here in Southeast Michigan, leaving roofs torn, windows shattered, and siding ripped away. When severe weather threatens your home or business, quick preparation and expert support make all the difference. In this post, we’ll be covering the biggest risks and how to most effectively prepare for them with BROADCO Property Restoration’s tornado damage restoration services.
We’re here to provide 24/7 emergency response, board-up services, and full rebuilds to get you back on your feet fast. We’ll also walk you through the claims process and handle documentation, so you can focus on recovery instead of paperwork.
The Tornado Risks of Southeast Michigan
Southeast Michigan is no stranger to tornadoes, and sees an average of 10–15 tornadoes yearly, usually between April and July. While most are weaker EF-0 or EF-1 events, stronger storms can reach EF-2 or higher, producing winds over 120 mph. Even a brief touchdown can cause significant damage to roofs, garage doors, and exterior walls.
Common Vulnerabilities: Roofs, Windows, Siding
So much of your home is vulnerable to damage, including many areas you might not first suspect. Your roof is the first line of defense, but also the most vulnerable. Shingle edges can catch tornado winds like sails, peeling back entire sections and exposing underlayment. Overhead garage and roll-up doors can buckle inward under wind pressure, suddenly pressurizing interiors and blowing roofs off.
Windows and patio doors shatter under debris impact unless protected by impact-rated materials. Vinyl siding often pops loose or cracks, allowing wind-driven rain to penetrate sheathing and insulation, leading to mold and water damage. Even with metal siding, panels can warp or become detached, leaving the structure exposed to the elements. Metal gutters can rip away, creating projectiles that further damage walls and landscaping. All of these weak points are vulnerabilities you need to consider in the face of tornado aftermath and recovery.
Insurance Basics: Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Tornado Damage?
Most standard homeowners’ policies include windstorm coverage (which applies to tornado damage) and this typically covers the repair or replacement of damaged roofs, windows, and siding up to policy limits. That said, coverage for water damage from rain entering through a compromised roof may require an additional endorsement, and flood damage from rising water is not covered under a standard policy.
Deductibles for wind damage are often a percentage of your dwelling coverage—commonly 2 to 5 percent—so a $300,000 home could have a deductible of $6,000 to $15,000. It pays to review your policy annually, confirm limits and deductibles, and document any upgrades, like a new roof or impact-rated windows, that could lower premiums.
Filing a claim promptly after a damage event and providing clear photos or video of tornado property damage helps ensure your insurer processes your request quickly and fairly.
Preparing Your Home or Business Before Tornado Season
Effective preparation reduces damage and speeds recovery. Start with a thorough property check and the following measures.
- Secure outdoor furniture and equipment. Move patio tables, chairs, grills, and potted plants indoors. If that’s not possible, anchor items using straps or heavy-duty bungee cords attached to ground anchors or permanent fixtures, preventing them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
- Install impact-rated or storm shutters. Fit your windows and glass doors with certified shutters or impact-resistant panels. These barriers withstand high winds and debris strikes, dramatically reducing the chance of broken glass and interior flooding.
- Reinforce garage doors. Garage doors often fail first in high winds. Install a tornado-rated bracing kit or retrofit heavy-duty struts to reinforce the door panels and tracks. This reinforcement prevents the door from collapsing inward and pressurizing your building.
- Trim trees and clear loose debris. Prune dead or overhanging branches at least 10 feet away from structures. Remove yard debris—lumber scraps, loose fencing, and garden tools—that a gust could hurl at your walls or windows.
- Maintain roofing, flashing, and gutters. Inspect and replace missing shingles or damaged flashing. Clear gutters and downspouts of leaves and sediment so heavy rain drains away from the foundation rather than pooling on the roof or against walls.
- Develop an emergency action plan. Identify the safest interior shelter area, such as a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor without windows. Share evacuation routes and communication protocols with family members or employees.
- Stock emergency supplies. Keep a hurricane kit with bottled water, nonperishable food, flashlights with fresh batteries, a first-aid kit, and a battery-powered radio. Include a portable phone charger and copies of insurance documents in a waterproof bag.
- Review your insurance policy. Confirm windstorm or tornado coverage, note your deductible amount, and save BROADCO Property Restoration’s 24/7 emergency contact information in your phone so you can call for professional storm damage restoration immediately after the event.
Immediate Steps After Tornado Damage to Houses
First, see to everyone’s safety by checking for downed power lines, gas leaks, and structural instability. If you detect a gas smell, evacuate and call the utility company immediately.
Once it’s safe to re-enter, document the damage thoroughly with time-stamped photos or video, making sure to capture roof damage, broken windows, and debris-strewn exteriors. Then contact BROADCO’s emergency restoration hotline.
Our rapid-response teams arrive equipped with board-up materials and heavy-duty tarps to secure openings, followed by water extraction and debris removal to prevent secondary damage.
Long-Term Recovery and Repair After Tornado Damage
After stabilizing the property, BROADCO’s rebuild specialists develop a detailed restoration plan.
We remove damaged materials, repair roof decking and framing, and replace broken windows or siding with code-compliant, wind-rated products. Interior repairs include drywall replacement, insulation installation, and full electrical and plumbing inspections to address any hidden damage.
Throughout the process, we coordinate with your insurance adjuster—providing clear estimates, progress photos, and moisture readings—to streamline your claim and minimize out-of-pocket costs.
Stay Protected with BROADCO Property Restoration
Tornadoes can leave lasting impacts, but with the right partner, you can recover quickly and confidently. BROADCO Property Restoration combines local Southeast Michigan expertise with 24-hour availability and a single-source workflow—from emergency board-up through final inspection. We handle permits, insurance coordination, and all trades under one roof, so you never worry about scheduling multiple contractors.
The Leaders in Tornado Property Damage across Southern Michigan
Serving Detroit, Ann Arbor, and communities across Southeast Michigan, BROADCO Property Restoration delivers prompt, professional storm damage restoration. For emergency board-up, water removal, structural repairs, and full rebuilds after tornado property damage, reach out to us online or call us at 877-450-6250.