Key takeaways
- NOAA lists 309 thunderstorm wind reports and 71 tornado reports in Bexar County, and most damaging wind comes from straight-line thunderstorm winds and downbursts.
- On May 27, 1997, downburst winds estimated in excess of 100 mph struck southwest San Antonio near Kelly AFB.
- Bexar County is outside the TWIA area, so wind coverage usually comes from your regular homeowners or commercial policy, often with a separate wind/hail deductible.
- Common disputes involve wear and tear, matching shingles, and whether damage came from wind or something else.
- Photos taken quickly, the storm record, and saved receipts for emergency repairs make wind damage insurance claims easier to support.
Wind damage insurance claims in San Antonio rarely start with a hurricane. They start with a spring or summer thunderstorm that rolls in fast, flattens fences, peels back shingles, and drops a live oak limb onto a roof. Some of these storms produce winds stronger than a low-end hurricane, concentrated over a few neighborhoods for a few minutes.
This guide covers the kinds of wind that damage San Antonio properties, what the NOAA record shows, how wind claims are typically handled, and how to document damage so your claim is easier to evaluate. It is general information; your policy language controls.
The kinds of wind that damage San Antonio properties
Straight-line thunderstorm winds
Most wind damage in Bexar County comes from straight-line winds pushed out ahead of or beneath strong thunderstorms. NOAA's Storm Events Database lists 309 thunderstorm wind reports for the county. Many involve gusts of 60 to 80 mph that bring down trees, power lines, fences, carports, and signs.
Downbursts and microbursts
A downburst is a column of rain-cooled air that plunges out of a thunderstorm and spreads across the ground. A small, intense one is often called a microburst. Downbursts can produce winds comparable to a weak tornado, but the damage is usually blown outward in one general direction rather than twisted.
Tornadoes
NOAA lists 71 tornado reports in Bexar County since 1953. Most were weak (F0/F1 or EF0/EF1), but weak tornadoes still tear off roofing, collapse carports, and throw debris. On March 19, 2002, six tornadoes touched down near Von Ormy and Somerset, the strongest rated F2. On February 19, 2017, a tornado that formed near the San Pedro golf course strengthened to EF2 as it moved northeast through north-central San Antonio.
Notable wind events in the NOAA record
| Date | What NOAA recorded | NCEI record |
|---|---|---|
| May 27, 1997 | Downburst winds estimated in excess of 100 mph across much of southwest San Antonio near Kelly AFB; damage to roofs, outbuildings, windows, signs, and trees | View |
| July 15, 2007 | 92 mph thunderstorm wind where two lines of storms intersected near San Antonio; a tornado was also found in northeast San Antonio | View |
| June 6, 2019 | Gusts estimated at 70 mph across downtown; hundreds of trees damaged or uprooted, including one on King William St. | View |
| January 10, 2020 | Measured gust of 67 knots (about 77 mph) at Stinson Municipal Airport; carports and a gas station sign blown down in southwestern San Antonio | View |
| May 24, 2020 | NWS survey found a wide swath of 60 to 70 mph winds near Culebra Rd. and Helotes; fences down, sheds overturned, some roofs damaged; a small EF1 tornado in the Wildhorse subdivision | View |
| April 28, 2021 | NWS survey estimated 80 mph winds along a path about one mile wide and four miles long in northeastern San Antonio | View |
| May 28, 2021 | 77 mph gust measured at San Antonio International Airport; a large tree knocked through a home near Broadway and W. Fair Oaks Pl. in Alamo Heights | View |
| May 26, 2026 | NWS survey found severe downdraft winds estimated at 75 mph caused sporadic damage in Kirby | View |
The 1997 downburst remains the benchmark. NOAA's narrative describes widespread damage across the southwest part of the city and more than 100,000 customers losing power. Many of the other events on this list touched specific neighborhoods: Alamo Heights, Helotes, the northeast side near Judson and Stahl roads, and downtown. Wind risk is not limited to one part of town.
What wind does to San Antonio buildings
Composition shingle roofs
Wind lifts shingle tabs, breaks the adhesive seal strips, creases shingles, and tears them off entirely, often starting at edges, ridges, and rakes. A creased shingle may lie back down and look fine from the street, so close inspection matters. Lifted or unsealed shingles can let water in during the next storm.
Metal and low-slope roofs
Standing-seam and exposed-fastener metal roofs can lose panels or trim when wind gets under an edge. On commercial flat roofs, wind can peel back membrane at perimeters and corners and damage rooftop equipment curbs and flashing.
Trees, fences, and other structures
San Antonio's mature live oaks and pecans are a big part of the local wind damage picture. Falling limbs puncture roofs and crush carports, fences, and vehicles. Fences and detached structures usually fall under "other structures" coverage, which has its own limit.
Water that follows wind
Rain driven through a wind-created opening is often covered as part of the wind loss. Water that seeps in through worn materials without a storm-created opening may be treated differently. Interior ceilings, insulation, drywall, and contents should all be documented if water came in.
How wind claims are handled
Your wind/hail deductible
Many Texas policies carry a separate wind/hail deductible, often a percentage of the Coverage A (dwelling) limit. On a home insured for $300,000, a 2% deductible would be $6,000, for example. Bexar County is not in the TWIA area, so San Antonio homes typically get wind coverage from their regular insurer, or through the Texas FAIR Plan where applicable. Check your declarations page now, before a storm.
Common disputes
| Insurer position | What can help |
|---|---|
| Damage is wear and tear or age-related | Photos showing fresh tears, creases, and debris; the storm date and wind record; consistent damage pattern on windward slopes |
| Only a few shingles need repair | Documentation of creased and unsealed shingles beyond the missing ones; repairability and matching issues with discontinued shingles |
| Damage predates the storm or the policy | Dated pre-storm photos, inspection reports, roofing invoices, and prompt reporting |
| Interior water damage is from a long-term leak | Timeline of when stains appeared, photos of the storm opening, moisture readings taken soon after the storm |
| Code-required items are not covered | Review of ordinance or law coverage and local permit requirements |
Wind and hail on the same storm date
Spring storms in San Antonio often bring wind and hail together. The May 6, 2001 storm, for example, combined hail up to 4 inches with winds estimated over 60 mph. When both hit, the damage can overlap: wind-driven hail bruises the slopes facing the storm while gusts lift and crease shingles elsewhere. Because most Texas policies apply one wind/hail deductible to that storm, the cause usually matters less for the deductible than for the scope. It is still worth documenting both kinds of damage separately, so the estimate captures everything the storm did.
Commercial properties
Commercial buildings face their own wind issues. Flat and low-slope roofs can lose membrane at corners and edges, rooftop HVAC units can shift on their curbs, and signs, awnings, and canopies are often the first things to fail. NOAA's records for January 10, 2020 include an awning collapse at a business in southeastern San Antonio and roof damage at a manufacturing plant on the south side. Commercial policies vary widely in deductibles, coinsurance, and business income coverage, so review the full policy rather than relying on the summary.
Prompt payment timelines
Texas Insurance Code Chapter 542 sets deadlines for insurers. Generally, the insurer has 15 days after notice of a claim to acknowledge it, begin its investigation, and request information. It then has 15 business days after receiving everything it requested to accept or reject the claim, or it may notify you that it needs more time, up to 45 additional days. Payment is generally due within 5 business days after the insurer notifies you it will pay. These deadlines are extended by 15 days after a weather-related catastrophe declared by the commissioner. Keep a log of every communication so you can track these dates.
How to document a wind damage claim
- Stay safe. Stay away from downed power lines and report them to CPS Energy. Do not climb onto a damaged roof.
- Photograph everything before cleanup: roof slopes from the ground, debris in the yard, fallen trees and where they landed, fences, gutters, windows, and interior ceilings.
- Prevent further damage. Tarp roof openings and board windows. Most policies require reasonable steps to protect the property. Keep every receipt.
- Save the weather record. Look up the date in our storm lookup or recent weather events page.
- Report the claim promptly and write down the claim number, adjuster name, and dates.
- Keep damaged materials that are safe to keep, such as torn shingles or a section of damaged fence, until the adjuster has seen them.
- Track additional living expenses if the home is not livable.
Our claim documentation checklist covers the full list.
Repairs, permits, and matching
Inside the city limits, re-roofing and most structural repairs generally require a permit through the City of San Antonio Development Services Department. Cities such as Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, and Schertz run their own permit offices. Code requirements can add items to a repair that were not on the original roof, and whether insurance pays for them depends on ordinance or law coverage. Our article on building codes and insurance repairs in San Antonio explains how that works.
Matching is another frequent issue. If wind damages part of a roof and the existing shingle is discontinued, a patch may not match. How matching is handled depends on the policy wording and the facts, and it is worth raising early if replacement shingles are not available.
When to get help with a wind claim
Simple claims, such as a few shingles or a section of fence, are often resolved without help. Larger losses, disputed causes, or estimates that leave out obvious damage may benefit from a second look. San Antonio Public Adjuster, a service of Rise Public Adjusting LLC, helps property owners with wind damage claims and broader storm damage claims throughout San Antonio and Bexar County. A public adjuster can inspect, document, prepare an estimate in Xactimate, and present the claim on your behalf. Fees are disclosed in a written contract before any work begins; Texas law caps public adjuster compensation at 10% of the insurance settlement. Outcomes depend on your policy and the facts.
If the insurer's estimate seems low, our guide on how to review an underpaid roof insurance estimate walks through it line by line. For legal questions, such as lawsuit deadlines or the pre-suit notice required under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 542A for weather-related claims, consult a Texas attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover wind damage in San Antonio?
Most Texas homeowners policies cover sudden wind damage to the dwelling and other structures, subject to the deductible, exclusions, and limits in the policy. Because Bexar County is not in the TWIA area, San Antonio homes typically get wind coverage from their regular insurer. Some policies exclude or limit wind coverage, so check your declarations page.
What is a downburst?
A downburst is a strong column of sinking air from a thunderstorm that spreads out when it hits the ground, producing damaging straight-line winds. The National Weather Service estimated downburst winds in excess of 100 mph across southwest San Antonio on May 27, 1997. Downburst damage often looks like tornado damage but is blown in one general direction.
Is a fallen tree covered by insurance?
If wind knocks a tree onto your house, garage, or fence, many policies cover the damage to the structure and some cost of tree removal, often with a sub-limit. A tree that falls without hitting a covered structure may have limited or no coverage. Policy wording varies, so check yours.
Will my insurer say the damage is wear and tear?
It happens, especially on older roofs. Insurers may attribute lifted or missing shingles to age, poor installation, or deterioration. Clear photos, the storm date and wind record, and a documented pattern of damage consistent with wind can help address that argument.
Do I need a permit to repair wind damage in San Antonio?
Re-roofing and most structural repairs inside the City of San Antonio generally require a permit from the Development Services Department. Suburban cities such as Alamo Heights, Leon Valley, and Schertz have their own permit offices. Your contractor should confirm what is required.
How long does my insurer have to respond to a wind claim?
Under the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act, an insurer generally has 15 days after notice to acknowledge the claim and begin its investigation, then 15 business days after receiving requested information to accept or reject it, with extensions possible. Deadlines can be extended after a declared weather catastrophe.
Sources and further reading
This article is general information about property insurance claims in Texas, not legal advice, and not a promise of any coverage or outcome. Your policy language and the facts of your loss control your claim.
