Roofs on most Gulf Coast homes are susceptible to hurricane damage

Next to asphalt shingles, concrete tile is the second most common roofing material used in the states studied, while fewer than 1% feature a wooden roof. (Credit: Milkovasa/Shutterstock.com)

Among more than 17.3 million homes in the southeast U.S. analyzed by Arturo, 71.9% have an asphalt shingle rooftop, the insurtech reported.  Homes in the study were located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas.

While new asphalt shingle roofs can withstand winds up to 110 mph, or a Category 3 intensity, as they age and degrade their ability to hold up against winds deteriorates. Arturo reported that older asphalt shingles can be susceptible to damage in winds as weak as 50 mph.