Where the 2011 tornado began
The tornado first touched down at about 4:17 p.m. in the Munger Hill section of Westfield, near Birch Bluffs Drive. In Westfield, 257 homes were damaged, mostly broken windows and roof damage, and more modest homes and multi-family houses on Central Street were destroyed.
Whip City history in the housing
Westfield earned its nickname as a center of buggy whip manufacturing. The older streets around downtown reflect that industrial era, while neighborhoods toward the hills were built more recently. Homes on higher, more open ground see more wind across ridges and rakes, so installation details matter as much as the shingle you choose.
Landmarks around town
Westfield State University and Barnes Regional Airport, home of the Massachusetts Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing, are two of the city's well-known landmarks.
Getting a permit in Westfield
Westfield's building department issues the permit for a reroof. Your contractor normally applies, and the work must be supervised by a holder of a Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License.
Want a contractor to look at your roof? One call connects you with a participating local roofer.
Call (888) 292-4916Westfield roof questions
Was my Westfield neighborhood in the 2011 tornado's path?
The tornado began in Munger Hill and moved east toward West Springfield, skipping some streets and hitting others. If your roof was replaced in 2011 or 2012, it is now about 15 years old and worth an inspection.
Do homes on higher ground in Westfield need different roofing?
Not different materials necessarily, but more attention to wind details: nailing, starter strips, ridge caps and drip edge. Ask what the manufacturer specifies for higher-wind installations.