If you live in Midland, Odessa, Andrews, Big Spring, or Stanton, you know that our weather doesn’t follow a polite schedule. While we often associate “storm season” with the spring months of April and May, the last six months have proven that West Texas weather is a year-round contact sport.
Now that we are in February 2026, many homeowners are looking forward to spring. However, we are urging our neighbors to look back.
Between August 2025 and January 2026, our region experienced several significant weather events—specifically high winds and late-season hail—that may have compromised your roof. The damage from these storms often goes unnoticed during the dry winter months, only to reveal itself as catastrophic leaks when the first spring thunderstorms roll in.
Here is a breakdown of the specific dates and events where insurance claims for wind or hail damage are likely valid, and why you need to act now.
The “Hidden” Storm Log: August 2025 – January 2026
Many homeowners assume their roof is fine because they don’t see missing shingles on the lawn. However, the events of late 2025 brought “bruising” hail and “lifting” winds that degrade roofing systems silently.
Here are the key dates where we believe valid claims exist in our service area:
1. The October Double-Header (Midland, Odessa, Stanton)
Dates: October 23–24, 2025 The Event: A powerful late-season system moved through the heart of the Permian Basin.
- What Happened: On the evening of October 23, severe thunderstorms dropped quarter-sized hail (approx. 1 inch) across Stanton and Greenwood. As the system pushed west, Midland International Air & Space Port recorded wind gusts of 60 mph.
- The Damage: Quarter-sized hail is the “threshold” size for asphalt shingle damage. It doesn’t always punch holes, but it bruises the matting, knocking off granules and exposing the asphalt to the sun. Combined with 60 mph winds, this storm likely broke the adhesive seals on older shingles.
- Areas Impacted: North Midland, Greenwood, Stanton, and Northeast Odessa.
2. The “Andrews Golf Ball” Event
Date: November 23, 2025 The Event: While many were preparing for Thanksgiving, a severe cell exploded over Andrews County.
- What Happened: Radar and spotters confirmed golf ball-sized hail (1.75 inches) and wind gusts hitting 70 mph.
- The Damage: This was a major event. Golf ball-sized hail is destructive. It can crack vinyl siding, dent metal flashing, and shatter the fiberglass mat of a shingle. If you live in Andrews or the surrounding rural areas (Florey, Frankel City) and haven’t had your roof inspected since November, it is highly likely you have claimable damage.
- Areas Impacted: Andrews, Florey, and FM 1788 corridor.
3. The Martin/Midland Wind Event
Date: November 20, 2025 The Event: A “Blue Norther” style front brought damaging straight-line winds without much rain.
- What Happened: Wind gusts of 61 mph were recorded in Martin County and near Tarzan, with similar gusts affecting North Midland.
- The Damage: This type of wind event causes “zipper” failure. The wind lifts a tab of the shingle, breaking the seal. Once the seal is broken, dust and dirt from the West Texas plains blow underneath. This prevents the shingle from ever resealing. The next time the wind blows, that shingle will flap until it tears off.
4. The “Silent” Big Spring Winds
Dates: Late October 2025 The Event: Howard County saw significant wind activity consistent with the systems moving through Midland.
- The Damage: While Big Spring missed some of the heavier hail that hit Andrews, the sustained high winds in late October (gusts 50-60 mph) are enough to warrant inspection, especially for older 3-tab roofs which are rated for lower wind speeds.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait to File
A common misconception is that you should wait until a leak appears to file a claim. This is a costly mistake for three reasons:
1. The “Date of Loss” Clock is Ticking
Insurance policies have strict deadlines for filing claims, known as the “statute of limitations.” While this is often one year from the “Date of Loss,” waiting makes the claim harder to prove. If you wait until May 2026 to file a claim for damage that happened in October 2025, the insurance adjuster might argue that the damage is “wear and tear” or related to a different, uncovered event. Filing now, while the weather data is fresh, solidifies your case.
2. Winter “Thermal Shock”
Your roof has spent the last two months expanding and contracting in the freezing West Texas nights and warm afternoons. If your shingles were bruised by the November 23rd hail in Andrews or unsealed by the October 24th winds in Midland, this winter thermal movement has likely made the damage worse. Small cracks have widened. Loose shingles have become brittle.
3. Beating the Spring Rush
In two months, the spring storm season will begin. Roofing crews will be booked weeks out, and material prices often rise with demand. By handling your repairs in February or March, you ensure your home is secure before the spring rains test it.
How to Prepare & What to Do
If you live in the affected zones (Andrews, Midland, Odessa, Stanton, Big Spring) and haven’t had an inspection since Thanksgiving 2025, follow these steps:
Step 1: The “Binocular” Inspection
You don’t need to climb a ladder (and in winter, we advise against it due to slick spots). Go into your yard with binoculars and look for:
- Dark Spots: These look like “bruises” on the shingles where granules are missing.
- Creased Shingles: Look for a horizontal dark line near the top of a shingle tab. This indicates the wind bent the shingle back.
- Dented Metal: Check your gutters, downspouts, and roof vents. If the soft metal has dents, your shingles likely do too.
Step 2: Check Your Attic
Go into your attic during the day. Look for sunlight peeking through the decking. Look for water stains on the rafters or insulation, which indicate that wind-driven rain or dust has been penetrating the roof deck.
Step 3: Call a Professional (Not 1-800-INSURANCE)
Do not file a claim yet. Always get a professional opinion first. Filing a claim that gets denied (because the damage is below your deductible) still counts as a “mark” on your insurance history.
Call Windjammer Roofing LLC. We will perform a free, digital forensic inspection.
- We use weather data verification to pinpoint exactly which storm date (e.g., Nov 23 vs Oct 24) matches your damage.
- We provide a photo report that distinguishes between functional damage (which insurance pays for) and cosmetic wear (which they don’t).
- If we find valid damage, we prepare you with the facts to present to your insurance.
Why Hire Windjammer Roofing LLC?
We aren’t storm chasers who just rolled into town. We know the difference between a hail hit from November 2025 and a blister from the summer heat of 2018.
- Local Knowledge: We understand that a roof in Andrews (golf ball hail zone) needs a different approach than a wind-damaged roof in Big Spring.
- Insurance Expertise: We speak the language of adjusters. We know that the October 23rd storm in Stanton had specific wind vectors that caused damage to South and West-facing slopes, and we ensure your scope of loss reflects that.
- Winter Installation Pros: We know how to install roofs in February. We hand-seal shingles when temperatures are low to ensure they bond immediately, preventing wind uplift before the spring storms arrive.
Conclusion
The storms of late 2025 may have passed, but their mark on your home remains. Don’t let a “silent” wind event from November turn into a living room flood in April.
If you are in Andrews, Midland, Odessa, Stanton, or Big Spring, you have likely been hit by claimable weather in the last six months.
Protect your investment. Verify your damage. Call Windjammer Roofing today.
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Contact Windjammer Roofing LLC Serving the entire Permian Basin.
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