House roof with shingles and decking torn open by wind
Services

Wind Damage Restoration

High winds and tornadoes can strip shingles, break windows, bring trees down onto roofs and drive rain into walls and ceilings. DKI Central Alberta tarps, boards up, dries and cleans up wind-damaged homes and businesses 24/7 across Red Deer and Central Alberta.

Wind damage restoration in Red Deer and Central Alberta

Strong winds can lift and tear off shingles, peel back flashing and siding, break windows and bring trees and branches down onto the house. Even when the damage looks small from the ground, an opening in the roof or wall lets the next rain soak insulation, drywall and framing.

DKI Central Alberta responds 24/7 to wind-damaged homes and businesses in Red Deer and the surrounding towns. We cover the openings, extract any water that got in and dry the building to measured moisture levels, and our IICRC-trained technicians document everything for your insurance claim. If the storm also brought hail, see our hail damage restoration service, and our storm damage restoration page for everything else.

Our wind damage services:

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24/7 emergency roof tarping

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Board-up of broken windows and doors

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Water extraction after wind-driven rain

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Removal of wet insulation and drywall

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Structural drying with moisture monitoring

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Cleanup of storm debris inside the building

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Photos and records for your insurer

What wind damage looks like

Wind damage starts with the roof, windows and siding, but the bigger cost usually comes from the water that follows.

Rainwater pouring through a ceiling leak into a bucket in a living room

Wind-driven rain

When wind lifts shingles or breaks a window, rain can get into ceilings and walls during the same storm. Our water damage restoration crews extract it and dry the structure before mould can start.

Crew installing a blue emergency tarp on a hail-damaged roof

Emergency tarping and board-up

A secured tarp over a damaged roof and plywood over broken windows keep weather and intruders out until permanent repairs. See our emergency board-up and tarping service.

DKI technician unloading air movers from a truck for structural drying

Drying and cleanup

We remove wet insulation and drywall, set up air movers and dehumidifiers, and check moisture readings until the building is dry, then clean up and document the work for your insurer.

Wind and tornadoes in Central Alberta

The Government of Alberta says “severe thunderstorms or heavy winds cause the most damage in Alberta, not tornadoes,” and that in most of the province a wind warning is given when winds are expected to reach at least 70 km/h, or gusts at least 90 km/h. Thunderstorms can also produce downbursts: strong downdrafts that spread out beneath the storm and can flatten a wide area in one direction, as Western University’s Northern Tornadoes Project explains.

Tornadoes do touch down here. On July 14, 2000, an F3 tornado struck the Green Acres campground at Pine Lake, about 25 km southeast of Red Deer, killing 12 people. On July 1, 2023, an EF4 tornado south of Didsbury destroyed three homes and left four uninhabitable, and on July 18, 2026, two EF2 tornadoes with winds near 190 km/h damaged homes, barns, garages and vehicles near Rocky Mountain House. Straight-line winds are more common: on January 16, 2025, gusts reached 100 km/h in Red Deer and a tree that fell on a power line cut electricity to 240 customers.

Major wind events near Red Deer:

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July 14, 2000: F3 tornado at Pine Lake

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June 20, 2017: winds over 100 km/h in Red Deer

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July 1, 2023: EF4 tornado south of Didsbury

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January 16, 2025: 100 km/h gusts in Red Deer

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July 18, 2026: two EF2 tornadoes near Rocky Mountain House

What to do after a windstorm

Safety first. Stay at least 10 metres away from downed power lines and call 9-1-1, then report the line. In Red Deer, call the City’s electric utility at 403-342-8274 during business hours or 403-348-5700 after hours; FortisAlberta customers call 310-WIRE (9473). Don’t climb onto a damaged roof or go into a part of the building that may be structurally damaged.

Then photograph the damage before anything is moved or covered, and stop more water getting in by tarping the roof and boarding up broken windows. If a City of Red Deer tree has fallen onto your property, call Public Works at 403-342-8238. The City says to notify your own insurer, because your policy may cover the damage.

Your first steps:

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Stay 10 metres from downed power lines

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Photograph the damage before cleanup

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Tarp the roof and board up openings

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Move belongings away from leaks

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Keep receipts for emergency work

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Call your insurer to start a claim

Wind damage and your insurance claim

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) says most home insurance policies cover wind and tornado damage, including losses from flying debris and falling branches or trees, and water that enters through openings caused by wind. IBC also says there is no “act of God” exclusion in any Canadian property insurance policy, though pre-existing damage isn’t covered.

Alberta’s Statutory Condition 6 requires you to “immediately give notice in writing” to your insurer and to deliver a proof of loss “as soon as practicable,” and Statutory Condition 9 says you “must take all reasonable steps to prevent further loss or damage.” Your insurer must contribute toward reasonable costs for those steps, so keep every receipt. Our insurance claim help page explains how we document the damage for your adjuster.

We support your claim with:

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Photos of the damage and our emergency work

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Moisture readings and drying records

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A list of materials we remove and why

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A contents inventory if belongings are damaged

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Documentation your adjuster can review

Wind damage questions

Does home insurance cover wind damage?

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says standard home and business policies cover damage caused by wind, including flying debris and falling branches or trees. Deductibles and exclusions vary, and pre-existing damage isn’t covered, so check your policy.

Is rain that comes in through a wind-damaged roof covered?

Generally, yes. IBC says standard policies cover water that enters through openings suddenly caused by wind or hail. That’s why it matters to cover openings quickly and photograph the damage before repairs.

What should I do if a tree falls on my house?

Get everyone away from the damaged area and stay clear of any power lines the tree brought down. Call 9-1-1 if anyone is hurt or a line is down. Photograph the damage, call your insurer, and call us to tarp or board up the opening. In Red Deer, if it’s a City tree, call Public Works at 403-342-8238.

When is a wind warning issued in Central Alberta?

According to the Government of Alberta, in most of the province a wind warning is given when winds are expected to reach at least 70 km/h, or gusts at least 90 km/h. When one is issued, secure loose items such as patio furniture and bins.

Do I have to wait for my adjuster before covering the damage?

No. Alberta’s Statutory Condition 9 requires you to take all reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and the statutory conditions give your insurer a further right of access after you’ve secured the property. Take photos before and after, and keep every receipt.

Do you handle wind damage on commercial buildings?

Yes. We tarp, board up, extract water and dry stores, offices, warehouses and rental buildings after windstorms. See our commercial restoration service.

DKI Central Alberta Offers...

At DKI Central Alberta, we know that dealing with property damage is overwhelming—that’s why our franchisees are ready to respond 24/7, every day of the year. With over 30 years of industry experience and IICRC-certified experts, we bring the knowledge, speed, and care needed to restore your home or business efficiently. From the moment you call, a dedicated Project Manager will guide you through the process, keeping you informed every step of the way. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality results while providing the compassion and support you need to get back on your feet as quickly as possible.

Quick Mobilization

24/7 emergency restoration and board-up services available 365 days a year.

Expertise

Fully trained and certified IICRC staff and more than 30 years of industry experience.

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Strong Communication

A project Manager assigned to your claim from start to finish, updating you throughout the process.

Quality Assurance

Making sure you are happy with the final result of the work done and standing behind the work we do.

Compassionate Team

We understand how hard the situation is and our team will do what we can to get you back to normal sooner.

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