Roofing Storm Season is Under Way

RC Legal expert Trent Cotney explains that contractors are already busy reacting to extreme weather and expecting a strong rebound from last year’s storm season.

By Art Aisner, Editor-in-Chief, Trent Cotney

In just the last month, roofing contractors around the country responded to major extreme weather events that left widespread damage across parts of the Midwest, South and West. AccuWeather recently announced predictions for roughly 11-16 named storms developing along the Atlantic Coast this coming hurricane season.

RC Legal Insights Expert Trent Cotney said he’s already seeing signs of how roofing contractors can capitalize on what’s shaping up to be a very active storm season.

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How to Prepare Roofing Contractors for Storm Season

A highly-anticipated storm season is fast approaching, and roofing contractors have already been very active in multiple markets around the country. Those looking ahead to a few volatile months after a weakened storm season 2025 want to maximize opportunities by getting a good start via preparation.

“The forecast for hurricanes this year looks pretty robust, so after a calm year last year, the odds are not in our favor this year. Which could be good for roofing,” Cotney said in this exclusive conversation with RC.

The first step is getting a clear picture of your inventory and stock up on those can’t-miss items, like shingles, fasteners, tarps and more. Contracts with the proper price accelerators and timelines should be in place, and be prepared to document everything.

“Make sure you’re doing your best to document existing conditions… and that it’s a dry workplace,” he explained. “All of those types of (proof) are important and can mitigate risk in the event that there are claims later down the road.”

Cotney also provided some tips on how to keep contractors safe during storm response, and updated contractors on the efforts to refine OSHA’s heat and injury rules, which are still in progress. Watch the full conversation here.

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Art Aisner is Editor-in-Chief of Roofing Contractor and Roofing Supply Pro. He spent the bulk of his career as a multi-media journalist for newspapers and television stations before joining the RC team in 2015. He is the driving force behind the publication’s content development, editorial strategy and other initiatives that serve growing audiences in the roofing space.

Trent Cotney is a Partner with Adams & Reese and a Florida Bar Board Certified Construction Lawyer, licensed to practice in multiple states across the U.S. and in Canada. With nearly 25 years of experience, Trent has dedicated his career to serving the construction and roofing industries. He is a zealous advocate for the international commercial roofing sector and serves as general counsel for over 10 prominent trade associations and organizations, including the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), National Slate Association, Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), and Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). Trent’s commitment to the industry extends beyond legal counsel; he is an active participant in education, advocacy, and innovation, working tirelessly to address the challenges contractors face and advance the industry as a whole. Known for his deep understanding of construction law and unwavering dedication, Trent Cotney remains a trusted advisor and leader in the roofing community.