Can you file a FEMA claim for wind damage?

Wind versus flood after a hurricane

When a hurricane or tropical storm moves inland, it can bring both. Water rising from the ground is flood, covered only by a flood policy through the NFIP or a private flood insurer. Wind that tears off shingles, and rain that pours through that opening, is a homeowners claim. If you have both policies, you may file two claims for one storm, and each adjuster will sort which damage belongs to which cause. Water lines on walls point to flood; missing shingles and blown out windows point to wind.

When FEMA aid applies to wind damage

• The President declared a major disaster with individual assistance for your county, as happened in many Georgia counties after Hurricane Helene in 2024.
• The damaged home is your primary residence.
• Your insurance did not cover the need, or did not cover all of it.

Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or 1-800-621-3362 after you have filed with your insurer, and send FEMA the insurance decision.

Most wind damage never reaches FEMA

Ordinary thunderstorm wind, even a damaging line of storms across North Georgia, rarely leads to a federal declaration. For those storms, your homeowners policy and its wind and hail deductible decide what is paid. Our page on wind damage roof claims covers the evidence adjusters want.

If you are uninsured

Uninsured homeowners in a declared area can apply to FEMA and to the SBA disaster loan program. Damage outside a declared area has no federal program, and the cost is yours.