Monsoon Season and Your Roof: What Arizona Homeowners Should Do Before and After a Storm

By Jim McLain, owner of Canyon State Roofing & Consulting, roofing in Arizona since 1983. Updated October 2026.

A monsoon storm can roll across the Valley in under an hour and leave a lot behind it. The wind usually does the first round of damage by lifting tiles and shingles, and the rain that follows finds any opening it leaves. Most of the damage we see after these storms is fixable, especially when it’s caught early.

Below we cover how monsoon weather affects the common roof types in Arizona and what to do if your roof starts leaking mid-storm. We also get into inspections, insurance, and hiring a contractor once the storm has passed. If you’re short on time, start here:

• Arizona’s monsoon season runs from June 15 to September 30 each year.
• A few missing tiles or shingles don’t always mean an immediate leak, because the underlayment below is the waterproof layer. They still need to be replaced within days.
• If water is pooling on a ceiling, put a bucket under it and release the water before the drywall gives way.
• Photograph the damage before anything is cleaned up or repaired so your insurance claim has a clear record.
• Only hire a licensed roofer, and check the license with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors before you sign.

Monsoon Roof Damage at a Glance

Short answer: wind does most of the damage during a monsoon, and water causes most of the cost afterward. Fixing wind damage quickly is what keeps a small repair from turning into a ceiling or decking replacement.

What Arizona’s Monsoon Season Brings

The National Weather Service set fixed monsoon season dates of June 15 through September 30 in 2008, so people would treat it more like hurricane season and prepare ahead of time, as ABC15 explains. These storms can bring heavy rain, dust storms, lightning, strong winds, and flash flooding.

The rain totals aren’t huge on paper. Phoenix normally gets about 2.4 inches over the whole season, according to KTAR. The problem is how fast it arrives. A single storm can dump a big share of that in less than an hour, usually right behind a wall of wind.

Those winds can be severe, and they don’t always stop when the season does. On October 13, 2025, two weeks after monsoon season officially ended, a storm in south Tempe brought gusts between 60 and 71 miles per hour, which Phoenix New Times reported is very high for Valley storms.

How Different Roof Types Hold Up

Tile Roofs

Tile roofs are the most common type in the Valley, and the usual monsoon damage is cracked, slipped, or blown-off tiles along ridges, hips, and edges. The tile itself isn’t the waterproof layer. The underlayment beneath it is, so a roof can sometimes go a few days with missing tiles before it leaks. Debris can tear that underlayment, though, and once it’s exposed, the sun starts breaking it down quickly.

Shingle Roofs

Strong gusts can lift the edges of asphalt shingles, crease them, or tear them off entirely. A creased shingle may still look like it’s in place from the street, but it no longer seals, and wind-driven rain can get underneath it during the next storm.

Foam and Flat Roofs

Flat roofs don’t lose pieces the way sloped roofs do, but they collect debris and water. Branches and blowing gravel can puncture the coating on a foam roof, and clogged drains or scuppers let water pond. Standing water that sits for days is a sign the roof needs attention before the next storm.

What to Do if Your Roof Leaks During a Storm

Stay off the roof while the storm is going. Wet tile and shingles are slippery, and with gusting wind and lightning around, it simply isn’t safe up there. Everything you need to do right away happens inside the house.

Move furniture and electronics away from the drip, and put down a bucket and towels. If water is collecting in a bulge on the ceiling, you can use our pencil trick: poke a small hole in the lowest point of the bulge so the water drains into the bucket instead of building up until the drywall gives way. Keep clear of light fixtures and anything electrical while you do it.

Once the rain stops, get fans running on the wet areas to start drying them out. Then call a roofer. Contractors book up fast after a big storm, so the earlier you call, the sooner you’ll get on the schedule. If you need help right away, we offer emergency roofing service.

After the Storm: What to Check From the Ground

You don’t need to climb a ladder to spot most storm damage. Walk around the house and look for broken tiles or shingles in the yard, along with any gaps or uneven lines on the roof itself. Look for branches or piles of debris sitting in the valleys too. A pair of binoculars helps. Our guide on how to detect roof damage after a storm covers the less obvious signs, like damaged gutters and vents. Inside, check ceilings and the tops of walls for new water stains, and take a look in the attic if you can get there safely. We walk through what to look for up there in checking your roof for damage after a monsoon.

Missing tiles or shingles usually aren’t an emergency in the first hour, but they shouldn’t wait weeks either. Exposed underlayment breaks down in the sun, and the next storm can push water through it. Getting repairs done within a few days is a reasonable goal. For a broader walkthrough of repairs after any kind of storm, see our guide to roof repair after storm damage.

Quick communication makes a stressful situation easier. This homeowner reached out to us right after storm damage:

Handling the Insurance Side

Before anything gets cleaned up or patched, take photos and video of the damage, both on the roof (from the ground) and inside the house. The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions has long advised homeowners to document the damage first, then file the claim as soon as possible. If you need emergency repairs to stop more water from getting in, ask your insurance company what documentation it wants and keep every receipt.

It also helps to know what’s usually covered. Most homeowners policies cover wind and hail damage, but flooding is generally excluded. The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions notes that rain damage inside your home may not be covered unless the water came in through a roof or wall that was damaged by wind or hail. That’s one more reason to get storm damage documented and repaired quickly.

Claims can take a while, so it pays to work with a roofer who stays in touch through the process:

Watch Out for Storm Chasers

Every monsoon season brings people knocking on doors and offering to fix roofs right away. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors warns that some of them push homeowners to believe repairs are urgent or that prices will go up if they wait. The agency recommends getting estimates from at least three licensed contractors and checking each license with its free contractor search before signing.

Hiring a licensed contractor also gives you protections that you don’t have with an unlicensed one. In 2021 the Registrar noted that eligible homeowners may be able to apply to its Residential Contractors’ Recovery Fund if licensed work has to be corrected or finished. A local roofer with a reputation to protect will also still be around when you need warranty work.

Quick, cheap patch jobs tend to show up again later. This homeowner found problems a previous owner had left behind:

Getting Your Roof Ready Before the Next Monsoon

The cheapest storm repair is the one you never need. A roof inspection in the spring, before June 15, gives you time to fix weak spots before the first big storm. We explain what that visit covers in our post on pre-monsoon roof inspections.

A few things you can do or ask your roofer to handle before the season starts:

• Replace cracked or slipped tiles and any shingles that are lifting.
• Clear leaves and debris out of valleys, gutters, and flat roof drains.
• Trim tree limbs that hang over the roof.
• Have flashing around vents, chimneys, and walls checked and resealed where needed.

If you already know about a problem, don’t put it off until after the season. A small leak can turn into rotted decking after a few storms, which is why we wrote about why you should not delay your roof repair.

Frequently Asked Questions About Monsoon Roof Damage

When is monsoon season in Arizona?

Arizona’s monsoon season officially runs from June 15 to September 30. The National Weather Service set those fixed dates in 2008. The most active storms usually arrive in July and August, but strong storms can still hit in late September and into the fall.

Will my roof leak if a few tiles blow off?

Not always right away. The underlayment under the tile is the waterproof layer, so a roof can hold for a short time with a few tiles missing. Debris can tear that layer, and sun exposure wears it down quickly, so missing tiles should be replaced within a few days.

Does homeowners insurance cover monsoon roof damage?

Most homeowners policies cover damage from wind and hail. Flooding is generally excluded, and rain damage inside the house may only be covered if the water came in through a roof or wall that wind or hail damaged. Check your policy and talk with your agent for specifics.

Should I file an insurance claim for minor roof damage?

It depends on the cost of the repair compared with your deductible. Some policies carry a separate deductible for wind and hail. Get a repair estimate first, then decide whether a claim makes sense.

Is it safe to get on my roof after a monsoon storm?

It’s better to stay off it. Wet or cracked tile breaks easily and is slippery, and you can miss damage that a roofer would catch. Check from the ground with binoculars and look for stains inside, then have a roofer handle anything on the roof itself.

How do I spot a storm chaser?

Be cautious with anyone who knocks on your door right after a storm, pressures you to sign quickly, or asks for full payment up front. Ask for their Arizona Registrar of Contractors license number and look it up before you agree to anything.

How quickly should storm damage be repaired?

Aim for a few days for missing tiles or shingles, and right away for an active leak. Damage that waits through more storms tends to spread into the underlayment and decking, which makes the repair bigger and more expensive.

When should I schedule a roof inspection in Arizona?

Spring is the best time, before monsoon season starts on June 15. That leaves time to replace damaged roofing and clear drains before the first storm. A quick check after any major storm is also a good idea.

Get Your Roof Checked by a Local Phoenix Roofer

If a storm has left you with missing tiles, a leak, or just a feeling that something isn’t right, we can come take a look. Our estimates include photos of your roof, so you can see the damage for yourself, and we’ll tell you honestly whether you need a repair or something bigger.

Call 602-400-1635 or request a free estimate online.

You can also read more about our storm damage repair services across Phoenix and the East Valley.

About the author: Jim McLain is the owner of Canyon State Roofing & Consulting in Phoenix. He started roofing in Arizona in 1983, is TRI certified, and is a member of the Arizona Roofing Contractors’ Association.