Hurricane Melissa's Devastating Impact: Essential Roof Protection Lessons for Myrtle Beach Homeowners

1 Schedule a Professional Hurricane Roof Inspection

Don't wait until a storm is approaching. A certified roofing contractor can identify vulnerabilities that you can't see from the ground:

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  Loose or damaged shingles
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  Compromised flashing around chimneys and vents
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  Water-damaged or soft decking
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  Inadequate attic ventilation
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  Missing or damaged roof-to-wall connections

Timeline: Schedule inspections in April or May—before hurricane season peaks and contractors become overbooked.

2 Upgrade to Impact-Resistant Shingles

If your roof is 15+ years old or has standard 3-tab shingles, replacement with impact-resistant architectural shingles is a smart investment:

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  Wind Rating: Class 4 impact-resistant shingles (highest rating) can withstand 130+ mph winds
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  Hail Protection: Tested to resist 2-inch hailstones dropped from 20 feet
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  Insurance Savings: Many insurers offer 15-30% premium discounts for Class 4 shingles
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  Lifespan: 30-50 year warranties vs. 20-25 years for standard shingles

Top Choices for Coastal Homes: GAF Timberline HDZ, Owens Corning Duration FLEX, CertainTeed Landmark PRO

3 Reinforce Roof-to-Wall Connections with Hurricane Straps

Hurricane straps (also called tie-downs) are metal connectors that tie your roof trusses to the walls. They're now required by code for new construction in high-wind zones, but most older homes lack them.

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  Retrofit Cost: Installation typically costs $2,000-$4,000 for an average home
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  Protection: Can prevent roof blow-off in winds up to 150 mph
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  Insurance Impact: Some insurers require straps for coverage in coastal zones

Note: This work requires attic access and should be performed by licensed contractors familiar with structural requirements.

4 Seal All Roof Penetrations and Flashings

Every opening in your roof is a potential entry point for wind and water. Hurricane Melissa exploited weak points around:

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  Plumbing vent pipes
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  Bathroom and kitchen exhaust vents
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  Chimney flashings
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  Skylights
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  Ridge vents

Action: Apply polyurethane sealant around all penetrations and ensure flashings are properly secured with corrosion-resistant fasteners.

5 Install Hurricane-Rated Ridge Vents

Standard ridge vents can be torn off by high winds, creating a massive opening that allows wind to enter your attic. Once wind enters, it creates upward pressure that can blow the roof off.

Solution: Replace with hurricane-rated ridge vents designed to withstand 150+ mph winds. These use reinforced baffles and enhanced fastening systems.

6 Trim Overhanging Tree Branches

Hurricane-force winds turn tree branches into battering rams. Many Hurricane Melissa victims lost their roofs not from wind alone, but from falling trees and branches.

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  Trim branches within 10 feet of your roof
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  Remove dead or diseased trees near your home
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  Hire a certified arborist for large trees—DIY tree work is dangerous

Best Time: Late winter or early spring before hurricane season begins.

7 Ensure Proper Attic Ventilation

Adequate attic ventilation prevents moisture buildup that weakens roof decking. It also helps equalize pressure during hurricanes, reducing uplift forces.

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  Intake Vents: Soffit vents or low vents near the eaves
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  Exhaust Vents: Ridge vents or high vents near the peak
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  Balance: Intake and exhaust ventilation should be roughly equal

8 Replace Deteriorated Decking Before Reroofing

If you're replacing your roof, insist that your contractor inspect and replace any damaged decking. Coastal humidity causes accelerated plywood deterioration.

Warning Sign: If you can feel soft spots when walking on your roof, your decking is compromised. Never install new shingles over damaged decking.

9 Secure or Remove Loose Items from Roof and Yard

When a hurricane watch is issued for Myrtle Beach (typically 48 hours before landfall):

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  Secure satellite dishes, solar panels, and rooftop equipment
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  Clear gutters and downspouts of debris
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  Bring patio furniture, grills, and planters inside
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  Secure trash cans and yard decorations

10 Document Your Roof's Condition Before Storm Season

Take photos and videos of your roof and property before hurricane season starts. This documentation is critical for insurance claims after storm damage.

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  Take wide shots showing entire roof
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  Close-ups of shingles, flashings, and vents
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  Date-stamped photos showing pre-storm condition
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  Store photos in cloud storage (not just on your phone)

11 Review Your Insurance Coverage

Hurricane Melissa victims discovered too late that their insurance was inadequate. Review your policy now:

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  Wind Coverage: Ensure you have windstorm coverage (often separate in coastal areas)
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  Flood Insurance: Separate flood policy required (homeowners insurance doesn't cover flooding)
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  Replacement Cost: Avoid "actual cash value" policies that depreciate your roof
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  Deductibles: Hurricane deductibles are often 2-5% of home value (not a flat amount)

Important: Insurance companies won't issue new policies or increase coverage once a hurricane watch is issued.

12 Have Emergency Contact Information Ready

Before hurricane season, establish relationships with trusted contractors:

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  Pre-Storm Inspection: Schedule with a licensed roofing contractor
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  Emergency Repairs: Know who to call for tarps and temporary repairs after a storm
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  Avoid Storm Chasers: Out-of-state contractors swarm after hurricanes; use local, licensed, insured companies

Weather Shield Roofing: Call (843) 877-5539 for 24/7 emergency roof repairs and hurricane preparation inspections.