Tornado damage starts at the roof, and roofing is American Prime General Construction’s primary trade. It usually extends to gutters, siding, windows and fencing, and in stronger events into structural components and interior finishes. We start with safety and temporary protection, then document all storm-related damage and coordinate the restoration scope so the property can be properly repaired or rebuilt.
APGC is a veteran-led roofing contractor and general contractor in Richardson serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. We self-perform roofing, exterior work and reconstruction, so one company carries the project from the first-night tarp to the last piece of trim. This page covers how tornado damage is graded, what the North Texas record shows, and the sequence a total or near-total loss follows.
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The Enhanced Fujita Scale and What Each Level Means for a House
Tornado intensity is estimated backwards from damage. NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center publishes the operational EF scale as estimated 3-second gusts and is clear that these are estimates, not measurements, derived from a judgment of eight degrees of damage across 28 damage indicators, per the Storm Prediction Center EF scale reference. The National Weather Service notes the scale became operational on February 1, 2007, and that estimates vary with height and exposure, in its EF scale guidance.
| Rating | Estimated 3-second gust | Typical residential outcome |
|---|---|---|
| EF0 | 65-85 mph | Shingle, gutter, fence and tree damage; envelope largely intact |
| EF1 | 86-110 mph | Large areas of roof covering removed, windows broken, decking exposed |
| EF2 | 111-135 mph | Roofs torn from frame houses, garage doors and walls failing |
| EF3 | 136-165 mph | Roofs and some walls removed from well-built houses; near-total loss |
| EF4 | 166-200 mph | Well-constructed houses leveled; rebuild from the foundation |
| EF5 | Over 200 mph | Strong frame houses swept from their foundations |
Gust ranges are from the Storm Prediction Center, and the damage characterizations follow the original Fujita descriptions the NWS publishes alongside the EF scale: F2 is roofs torn from frame houses, F3 roofs and some walls torn from well-constructed houses, F4 well-constructed houses leveled, per NWS. For a homeowner the dividing line sits between EF1 and EF2: below it you have an envelope and finish project, at or above it the framing and load path are in question.
The North Texas Tornado Record
The National Weather Service Fort Worth office counted 1,953 tornadoes across North and Central Texas from 1950 through 2025, averaging 26 per year, with April the most active month at 555 and May at 525. December is statistically quiet but not safe: before 2015 only 13 other years since 1950 recorded a single December tornado in the region, per the NWS December 26, 2015 event summary.
Two recent events define local reconstruction. The December 26, 2015 outbreak produced 12 confirmed tornadoes across eight counties, three rated EF2 or greater, with 13 fatalities; the Sunnyvale-Garland-Rowlett tornado was rated EF4 and caused 10 deaths, the deadliest December tornado in Dallas County history, per the NWS Fort Worth summary. On October 20, 2019, an EF3 with estimated winds near 140 mph ran from I-35E and Walnut Hill in Dallas east through Preston Hollow toward US 75 and Forest Lane, with damage also surveyed near Audelia and Buckingham in Richardson and EF1 damage near 100 mph in Rowlett, Sachse and Wylie, per the NWS damage survey.
Our Role After a Tornado
APGC inspects and documents the damage, develops the reconstruction scope, coordinates emergency services and properly licensed mitigation or remediation specialists when required, and manages the complete interior and exterior build-back. We do not perform mitigation, remediation, drying or abatement and are not licensed for it. We are the coordinator who gets licensed companies onsite, and the builder who self-performs the reconstruction.
- Emergency-service and temporary-protection coordination (board-up, temporary roofing, fencing)
- Structural assessment from a construction perspective, with licensed engineering where framing is in question
- Photo documentation, measurements and detailed reconstruction scopes
- Mitigation and remediation partner coordination
- Roofing and exterior reconstruction, self-performed
- Complete interior and exterior build-back, including permitting and inspections
The Sequence: Emergency Protection Through Full Rebuild
1. Emergency protection
The first objective is to stop the loss from growing: board-up of openings, temporary roofing over breached slopes, site security and a utility evaluation. None of it improves the building; it protects what is left while decisions are made.
2. Assessment and documentation
Next is a full condition survey: every elevation photographed, framing displacement recorded, moisture-affected areas flagged for the licensed mitigation provider, and measurements taken for scoping. Where the structure may be compromised, a licensed engineer evaluates framing, connections and foundation first.
3. Engineering, plans and permitting
Near-total and total losses generally require engineered drawings and city plan review before construction. Permit requirements, fees and review times differ by jurisdiction, so confirm specifics with your city’s building department; we handle submittal and inspection coordination.
4. Reconstruction
Work proceeds in order: foundation and framing repairs, sheathing and roof, envelope and openings, mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough-in, insulation and drywall, then finishes, flooring and exterior items. Because we self-perform roofing, the weather-critical work is not waiting on a subcontractor.
FEMA’s recovery advisory is worth reading before you rebuild: it explains how to identify the applicable building code, points to ICC 600 as a prescriptive high-wind standard where design wind speed exceeds 90 mph, recommends metal connectors that improve load transfer from roof to foundation, lists safe room resources, and calls for shingles rated for 90-plus mph wind with four nails minimum and six preferred, in FEMA Tornado Recovery Advisory RA7. A rebuild is the cheapest chance to make those upgrades, and we price them as options.
Partial Rebuild Versus Full Rebuild
| Factor | Partial rebuild | Full rebuild |
|---|---|---|
| Starting condition | Foundation and framing mostly sound | Leveled or stripped past practical repair |
| Engineering | Targeted; re-establishing load path into existing framing | Full structural design |
| Permitting | Repair or alteration permits, scope-dependent | New construction review in most jurisdictions |
| Hardest part | Proving where sound construction ends | Schedule and living arrangements |
| Roofing | Tie-in to existing planes | New assembly to current code |
Most disputes happen at the boundary of a partial rebuild, where it is not obvious whether a wall or roof section can be salvaged. We document that boundary with photographs, measurements and engineering input rather than asserting it. Where only the roof is affected, roof replacement and wind damage restoration may be the whole project.
What to Do in the First 48 Hours
- Stay out of damaged structures until utilities are checked and the building is cleared.
- Photograph and video everything before it is moved, including closets and cabinets, and record serial numbers on major appliances, as FEMA recommends for documenting damage after severe weather.
- Keep damaged items until your insurer says otherwise and retain material samples such as carpet, wallpaper and upholstery.
- Prevent further damage by covering broken windows and holes and removing standing water, and save receipts, since the policy may pay for temporary repairs, per the Texas Department of Insurance.
- File the claim promptly and keep a list of everyone you speak with; TDI notes more than one claim may be required depending on the damage, in its guidance for a home damaged by a storm.
- Get more than one written estimate, never sign a contract with blank spaces, and note that waiving a deductible is illegal under Texas law, per TDI.
Documentation, Claims and Our Limits
We provide construction estimates, photographs, measurements, scopes, material information, code documentation and technical explanations related to the required repair and reconstruction work. We are not a public insurance adjuster and we do not negotiate claims on your behalf. More detail is on our construction documentation page. Where water or fire follows a tornado we coordinate licensed specialists through mitigation partner coordination before self-performing water damage reconstruction build-back.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should we do first after tornado damage?
Safety comes first. Stay out of a structure with displaced framing or damaged utilities until it is cleared. We coordinate emergency services and temporary protection such as board-up and temporary roofing, then document all storm-related damage and develop the reconstruction scope.
Does APGC perform mitigation or remediation after a tornado?
No. Specialized mitigation and remediation work is performed by properly licensed service providers. APGC provides mitigation and remediation partner coordination, getting those companies onsite and sequencing their work, and oversees and self-performs the reconstruction and build-back portions of the project.
Can APGC rebuild the entire property?
Yes. APGC manages complete interior and exterior reconstruction, including structural repairs, roofing, drywall, paint, flooring, kitchens, bathrooms and finish work. On a full rebuild we coordinate the engineering, plans and permitting, then build back through framing, envelope, mechanical systems and finishes.
Do you provide documentation for the insurance claim?
We provide construction estimates, photographs, measurements, scopes, material information, code documentation and technical explanations related to the required repair and reconstruction work. We are not a public insurance adjuster and we do not negotiate claims on your behalf.
What does the EF rating of a tornado mean for my house?
The Enhanced Fujita scale is a damage scale, not a measurement. NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center lists estimated 3-second gusts of 65 to 85 mph for EF0, 86 to 110 for EF1, 111 to 135 for EF2, 136 to 165 for EF3, 166 to 200 for EF4 and over 200 for EF5. Surveyors assign it afterward by judging eight degrees of damage across 28 damage indicators.
How does a partial rebuild differ from a full rebuild?
A partial rebuild keeps the foundation and sound structure and reconstructs what was lost, so the work centers on matching existing framing, re-establishing the load path and blending finishes. A full rebuild runs through design, engineering, permitting, framing and every trade. Partial rebuilds are harder to scope, because the boundary between damaged and sound construction must be proven.
How often do tornadoes actually hit North Texas?
The National Weather Service Fort Worth office counted 1,953 tornadoes across North and Central Texas from 1950 through 2025, an average of 26 per year, with April and May the most active months at 555 and 525 tornadoes. The record includes the December 26, 2015 outbreak, which produced an EF4 through Sunnyvale, Garland and Rowlett.
How long does tornado reconstruction take?
It depends on the damage level, the engineering required and the city’s review queue, so we do not quote a generic timeline. We sequence the work honestly: emergency protection within days, then assessment and scope, then engineering and permitting, then construction, with the schedule in writing.
American Prime General Construction is veteran-led, at 2100 N Greenville Ave Ste 106, Richardson, TX 75082, (469) 888-8326. We handle tornado and storm restoration, roof inspection, and complete reconstruction and build-back across the metroplex, including Garland, Rowlett and Dallas. See our service areas or contact us.