In severe weather, wind will find the weakest link. This can be a loose shingle, an aging garage door, or an unprotected opening. Once that spot is breached, it can trigger a chain reaction of damage. 

Research from the Insurance Institute for Business, Home & Safety (IBHS) has identified those vulnerabilities and ways to strengthen them to reduce repair costs and disruption after a storm. 

The FORTIFIED standard addresses many of these common points of failure using science-backed construction methods that help homes better withstand hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, and even tornadoes.  

Here are the five places to pay the closest attention: 

1. The Roof: First Line of Defense

Wind can lift roof coverings, expose the roof deck, and allow water to enter the home. Once water gets inside, ceilings, insulation, flooring, drywall and personal belongings are all at risk. According to insurance claims data, up to 90% of hurricane-related claims involve roof damage. 

FORTIFIED addresses roof performance through a layered approach rather than relying on the roof cover alone. These requirements include stronger roof deck attachments, sealed roof decks that help prevent water intrusion even if the roof cover is lost, and enhanced edge protection where wind pressures are highest. IBHS research has repeatedly shown that a sealed roof deck can significantly reduce water entering a home after damage to the roof covering. 

2. Garage Doors: The Largest Opening in Your Home

A garage door can be subjected to heavy wind pressure during a storm. If the door fails, strong winds can rush in and increase pressure inside the home. That pressure can push upward on the roof while simultaneously pushing outward on the walls, causing structural damage. 

FORTIFIED Silver™ and FORTIFIED Gold™ require wind-rated garage doors that have been tested to withstand the wind speeds for your location. Reinforced tracks, stronger hardware and improved construction can keep the garage door functioning as part of the home’s protective cover instead of becoming its weakest point. 

3. Windows: Small Openings, Big Concerns

Flying debris can easily break a window and create an opening for wind and rain to damage your home’s interior. The added wind pressure from this opening can also put extra strain on your roof and walls. 

Impact-resistant windows or properly installed hurricane shutters – a FORTIFIED Silver and FORTIFIED Gold requirement in hurricane-prone areas– help reduce this risk. 

Around the windows themselves, homeowners should also inspect caulking, weatherstripping and seals to prevent leaks. Small maintenance issues that seem insignificant on a good day can become a costly problem during severe weather. 

4. Porches, Patio Covers, & Overhangs: Damage Amplifiers

 Porches, patio covers, and overhangs can be vulnerable to severe weather damage if they’re not adequately secured to the home and/or foundation. 

Recent IBHS research on these structures found that when attached structures aren’t properly connected or reinforced, they can cause significant damage. High winds can tear them away from the home, damage the roof edge, or create openings that allow wind and rain inside. The connections must be part of the design plan for all FORTIFIED Gold and Silver homes. 

For homes without that designation, we recommend owners routinely inspect their attached structures for signs of rotted wood or loose fasteners and repair these weaknesses before storm season. 

5. Exterior Doors: Barriers Against the Storm

Exterior doors are an important part of your home’s envelope. 

Strong winds can breach weak doors, and heavy rain can leak through damaged weatherstripping. If pressure builds inside, it can push outward on the walls and roof, leading to structural damage. 

FORTIFIED helps strengthen vulnerable areas by requiring impact-rated and pressure-rated doors. 

One Weak Spot Can Cause a Chain Reaction 

One of the most important lessons from IBHS research is that we can reduce severe weather damage by addressing weaknesses in our homes. 

While no home is “stormproof,” taking proactive steps increases your storm readiness, reduces damage, and improves your home’s resilience. 

Homeowners can get started by following DIY steps in IBHS’s Hurricane Ready guide and then expand to larger projects, like a FORTIFIED Roof or wind-rated garage door.