Downslope winds on the Wasatch Front
When strong east winds spill over the mountains, they can accelerate down the canyons and into neighborhoods below. On December 1, 2011, gusts topped 100 mph in parts of Davis County. On September 8, 2020, another powerful downslope event toppled thousands of trees and damaged homes from Salt Lake City north through Farmington, Centerville, Kaysville and Layton. Weber County foothill neighborhoods see similar wind.
Tornadoes do happen
Tornadoes are uncommon in Utah, but not unheard of. The August 11, 1999 tornado that crossed downtown Salt Lake City and Capitol Hill is the state’s best-known example. Microbursts from summer thunderstorms can also flatten fences and peel roofing.
Where wind estimates go wrong
- Shingle repairs priced without regard to brittleness or whether replacement shingles will seal.
- Siding and fascia scoped to the visible breaks rather than the full run that has to come off.
- Fences, pergolas, sheds and play structures left out or undervalued.
- Tree removal limited to the portion touching the house, even when more is needed to make repairs.
- Interior water damage from wind-driven rain missed until weeks later.
Documenting a wind loss
Photograph debris before it’s cleared, note the direction trees fell, and keep receipts for emergency tarping and tree work. If your area had a widely reported windstorm, save news coverage and utility outage notices with your file.
Frequently asked questions
Is tree removal covered after a windstorm?
Policies often cover removal of a tree that hits a covered structure, sometimes with limits. Trees that fall without hitting anything may have limited or no coverage. Check your policy’s debris-removal and trees sections.
Do I have a separate wind deductible in Utah?
Some Utah policies have a separate wind or hail deductible, sometimes as a percentage. Check your declarations page. Our percentage deductible calculator can show what it means in dollars.
My shingles lifted but didn’t blow off. Is that damage?
Creased or unsealed shingles can be functional damage. It’s a common area of disagreement and one that careful documentation can help resolve.