Valley Residents Repairing Storm Damage May Need to Have a Windstorm Inspection Done

July 27, 2005

In order to retain or acquire Windstorm Insurance from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) residents of Texas’14 coastal counties, which include Cameron and Willacy Counties, must obtain a Windstorm Inspection, during any new construction or repairs, according to the Texas Department of Insurance.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Emily’s near-miss of the Valley, many residents may be seeking roofers and other construction contractors to help make repairs. Consumers should insist that contractors use wind resistant design, materials and construction techniques and be sure that a TDI windstorm inspector or an appointed engineer inspects the project during the construction to ensure that all work meets Windstorm Building Code requirements.

TDI’s Windstorm Inspection Unit can provide inspections free of charge or consumers can hire an appointed engineer to conduct windstorm inspections. It is critical that these inspection be done during the construction process and not after the work is completed. If you need to schedule an inspection from TDI, need help finding an appointed engineer, or have any questions relating to this process, contact TDI’s Windstorm Inspection Unit at 1-800-248-6032 or contact one of our field offices listed below.

Harlingen
(956) 421-4675
(956) 233-4549 (Brownsville/Los Fresnos)

Corpus Christi
(361) 881-9463

Bay City
(979) 244-9451
(361) 552-2501 (Port Lavaca)

For additional information about the Windstorm Inspection Program, visit the Windstorm Unit’s Web site at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/company/rswscode.html.