Can Your Roof Survive a 70 MPH Windstorm? How to Hurricane-Proof Your Home in Green Country
When the Oklahoma wind picks up, it’s not just an inconvenience — it’s a test.
And your roof is the first thing it tests.
Every spring, and increasingly every fall, homeowners across Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, and surrounding areas experience windstorms strong enough to rip shingles, snap tree limbs, and tear entire roof sections off improperly installed homes.
Gusts at 70 mph are common, and in a severe weather season, it’s not unusual for tornado-spawning storms to bring even higher wind speeds.
If your roof isn't built to take that kind of punishment, you're rolling the dice every time a squall line comes through.
At Tier-One Roofing, we don't leave storm survival up to chance. We help homeowners across Green Country storm-proof their homes, giving them peace of mind long before the clouds darken.
If you're wondering whether your current roof would hold — or what it would take to make sure it does — keep reading. This guide will break it down for you step-by-step.
Why 70 MPH Winds Are More Dangerous Than You Think
Most people underestimate wind. They worry about hail because it's visible and dramatic. But consistent high winds are often more destructive over time.
Here’s what 70 mph winds can do to your home:
Rip shingles completely off your roof
Create uplift pressure that loosens nails and weakens the decking
Drive rain under lifted shingles, causing hidden leaks
Snap large branches onto your roof
Damage gutters, fascia, and soffits
Create flying debris that acts like shrapnel against your siding and windows
Oklahoma homes are hit with these forces every year — often multiple times.
If your roof wasn't installed properly — or if it’s aging, damaged, or using inferior materials — the next big windstorm could expose weaknesses you didn't even know were there.
How Do You Know If Your Roof Is Wind-Ready?
Most homeowners don't climb up on their roofs with a wind gauge and a shingle sample.
But there are clear signs — if you know what to look for.
Common indicators your roof isn't ready for 70+ mph winds:
Shingles lifting or flapping at the edges during light breezes
Missing ridge caps or lifted flashing
Shingles that are curling, cracked, or heavily worn
Previous repairs that involved simple patch jobs, not full replacements
Old-style 3-tab shingles (common in homes built before 2010)
Evidence of nail pops or loose fasteners visible from the ground
Gutters pulling away from the fascia, showing structural weakness
If you’ve noticed any of these warning signs, it’s time to take action before the next major storm hits.
Not sure where your roof stands?
Call Tier-One Roofing for a free, no-pressure windstorm readiness inspection.
We’ll walk your roof, document any vulnerabilities, and explain your options clearly — no scare tactics, no upsells, just straight talk.
What Makes a Roof Storm-Proof in Oklahoma?
There’s no such thing as a truly “hurricane-proof” roof — but you can get very close with the right systems and installation.
At Tier-One Roofing, we recommend a combination of the following for serious storm protection:
1. Impact-Resistant Shingles
Ordinary shingles are often rated for 60–80 mph winds at best — and even then, only if perfectly installed.
Class 4 impact-resistant shingles (like CertainTeed IR, GAF ArmorShield, or TAMKO Titan XT) are designed for severe weather:
Reinforced nail zones to resist uplift
Thicker fiberglass mats for added strength
Better adhesion strips to lock shingles together
Higher ratings against hail and flying debris damage
In many cases, upgrading to impact-resistant shingles can also lower your homeowner's insurance premiums — saving you money while giving you more protection.
2. Proper Nailing Patterns
This is where many cheap installations fail — and it’s where Tier-One Roofing separates itself from the competition.
Correct nailing isn’t just about quantity (how many nails per shingle). It’s about:
Placement: Nails must be driven precisely into the nailing strip for maximum hold.
Angle: Nails driven too high or at an angle dramatically weaken wind resistance.
Depth: Overdriven nails (too deep) or underdriven nails (too shallow) both lead to failures under wind stress.
We follow (and often exceed) manufacturer guidelines for high-wind installations — and we show you our work before and after.
3. Strong Underlayment
A quality synthetic underlayment provides a second layer of water protection even if shingles are damaged or lifted.
In Oklahoma's high-wind zones, we also recommend ice and water shield installation in vulnerable areas like valleys, eaves, and around penetrations.
That way, even if flying debris punctures your shingles, your home is still protected from leaks.
4. Proper Flashing and Edge Metal
The edges of your roof — where the shingles meet the fascia — are especially vulnerable to wind uplift.
We install heavy-duty drip edge flashing under starter shingles to anchor the entire system.
Cheap or missing edge metal is one of the most common reasons roofs fail during storms — but it’s completely preventable when you work with a team like Tier-One.
5. Ridge Vent Protection
Proper ventilation matters — but if your ridge vent isn’t wind-rated and securely fastened, it can tear off and leave your roof wide open to rain and debris.
We only install high-wind rated ridge vents and anchor them properly. That way, your home breathes, but your roof stays intact when the wind howls.
Can Your Existing Roof Be Reinforced — or Do You Need Replacement?
This is a question we get often.
The honest answer is: It depends.
If your roof is relatively new, free of significant damage, and uses decent materials, targeted reinforcements (like re-fastening loose flashing, replacing missing shingles with high-wind versions, and upgrading ridge vents) might be enough.
But if:
Your roof is 10+ years old
Your shingles are basic 3-tabs
You have prior patch jobs or storm damage
You’re seeing widespread wear or lifting
then it's usually smarter and more cost-effective to replace the roof before it fails catastrophically during a major storm.
At Tier-One Roofing, we don’t push replacements unless they're the best option for you.
We’ll explain clearly what reinforcement can and can’t do — and what replacement would mean for your home's protection and value.
Need an honest roof evaluation?
Contact Tier-One Roofing today.
We'll assess whether reinforcement or replacement makes the most sense based on your roof, your budget, and your goals — not ours.
The Hidden Costs of Waiting Until After the Storm
Many homeowners delay repairs or upgrades, thinking they’ll deal with problems later if they happen.
But after a storm, your options shrink — and your costs skyrocket.
Consider:
Insurance battles:
If your roof is already worn out before a storm hits, insurers may deny your claim, calling it "pre-existing wear and tear."Limited contractor availability:
After major storms, good roofing companies are booked solid.
If you wait, you could be left scrambling to find someone trustworthy — or worse, stuck with a fly-by-night operation.More extensive damage:
A single missing shingle today can become a soaked attic and ruined insulation tomorrow.
Being proactive is cheaper, smarter, and far less stressful than dealing with a disaster at midnight during a thunderstorm.
Why Homeowners Across Green Country Trust Tier-One Roofing
Veteran-Led Integrity:
We show up when we say we will. We finish when we say we will. And we clean up like it was our own home.
Local Expertise:
We know Oklahoma storms, we know Green Country neighborhoods, and we know the building codes you need to stay compliant.
Real Transparency:
We don’t just give you a number and a handshake. We walk you through exactly what needs to happen, why, and what it will cost.
Storm-Ready Solutions:
Every Tier-One roof is installed to stand up to Oklahoma’s worst weather — not just meet the minimums.
When you choose Tier-One Roofing, you’re not just buying a roof. You’re buying time, security, and peace of mind — backed by a team that takes your trust personally.
Ready to Storm-Proof Your Home?
If you’re wondering whether your roof is ready for the next 70 mph gust, don't wait to find out the hard way.
Don’t gamble with rushed home inspections.
Don’t trust your home to the lowest bidder.
Don’t assume a roof that "looks fine" will stay fine under real pressure.
Schedule a free Tier-One Roofing wind-readiness inspection today.
We’ll walk your property, photograph key risks, explain your options clearly, and put a plan in place that protects your home — and everything you love inside it.
Green Country winds are fierce. But with Tier-One Roofing on your side, you’ll be ready for whatever they bring.
Call us now. Your roof — and your future self — will thank you.