Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and the Tampa Bay area sits in the part of Florida where preparation pays for itself. The strongest position after a storm belongs to the building owner who can show what the roof looked like before it. A pre-storm drone inspection produces that record: dated, organized, high-resolution documentation of your roof’s condition while the sky is still clear. Blue Nose Aerial Imaging of Tampa Bay flies pre-storm roof documentation for commercial properties across Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.
Why a pre-storm baseline protects you
Insurance carriers separate storm damage from pre-existing wear, and after a major storm that separation decides claims. A dated aerial record from before landfall gives your claim a defined starting point: the adjuster compares the post-storm condition against documented reality instead of assumptions about what the roof probably looked like. The same record serves your contractor, because a repair scope built against a baseline covers what the storm changed. Owners without a baseline negotiate from memory. Owners with one negotiate from photographs.
The baseline also works before any storm arrives. The inspection flags loose flashing, unsecured rooftop equipment, ponding areas, and deteriorated sections now, while a roofing contractor can still fix them on a normal schedule. A fastener repaired in July costs less than a membrane peeled open in September.
What the inspection documents
A pre-storm flight covers the full roof surface and everything attached to it:
- Membrane and surface condition, including seams, blisters, ponding evidence, and wear patterns across every section.
- Flashing and penetrations, where wind-driven rain enters first.
- Rooftop equipment, documenting HVAC units, vents, satellite hardware, and how each is secured.
- Drainage paths, confirming scuppers and drains are clear before they are asked to handle a foot of rain.
- Loose material, identifying anything on the roof that a hurricane converts into debris.
You receive the organized photo set with a written condition summary, dated and archived, ready to hand to your insurer or contractor whenever it is needed.
When to schedule
The time to book is before a storm has a name. Once a hurricane watch is issued, contractors are boarding windows, airspace can close, and sustained winds ground every drone operator in the region. A baseline flown in the calm weeks of summer covers you for the whole season, and an annual refresh keeps the record current as the roof ages. Property managers with multiple buildings can document an entire portfolio in a single scheduled route.
After the storm
If a storm does hit, the follow-up flight repeats the same pattern over the same roof, and the before-and-after pair tells the story on its own. Our storm damage roof inspection guide covers the post-storm process in detail, including safe documentation while ground crews are still restricted. For suspected water intrusion, our thermal imaging guide explains how radiometric imaging locates wet insulation beneath an intact-looking surface.
How we run it
At Blue Nose Aerial Imaging of Tampa Bay, our FAA Part 107 certified pilots fly each roof on a repeatable documented pattern, so the pre-storm and post-storm sets align frame for frame. Our commercial roof inspection guide covers the full inspection service, and our drone roof inspection article explains the method itself. We schedule portfolio routes across Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota counties, and single-building baselines book in days, not weeks.
If your roof has no documented baseline this season, one flight closes that hole before the first named storm tests it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I schedule a pre-storm roof inspection?
You should schedule before a storm is named, ideally early in the season. Once a hurricane watch is issued, weather and airspace restrictions can ground flights, and the calm weather has passed.
Will my insurance company accept drone documentation?
Carriers work from dated photographic evidence, and an organized aerial record of pre-storm condition is exactly that. Your insurer and adjuster make all coverage determinations; our role is producing the documentation they evaluate.
What do I receive from the inspection?
You receive a complete, organized photo set of the roof surface, flashing, equipment, and drainage, plus a written condition summary. The record is dated and archived, so it is ready whenever a claim or repair scope needs it.
Can you inspect the roof after the storm as well?
Yes. The post-storm flight repeats the same pattern, and the before-and-after comparison shows what the storm changed. Our storm damage roof inspection guide covers that process in detail.
Can you document multiple buildings?
Yes. We schedule portfolio routes for property managers and HOAs, so every roof in the portfolio gets a consistent baseline in one pass.
Request a Pre-Storm Roof Inspection
Rob Smith
Director of Operations, FAA Part 107 certified
Every roof inspection starts with a quick conversation. Rob Smith, our Director of Operations, will help you scope the right inspection and answer your questions on a call.
What to expect on the call:
- We learn about your roof and what you need to document.
- We recommend the right inspection scope and timeline.
- You get a clear, no-pressure quote.
You can also reach the team at 941-376-3396.