What could have caused this ???

[charlessenf]

Direct energy weapon

That's what MTG thought

 

[charlessenf]

Be careful what you tell your insurance company. Certain parts of my coverage exclude wind damage. I had a microburst-like incident several years ago that uprooted a large china berry tree which crushed one of my vehicles. The lady on the phone said I'm not covered for wind damage. I told her it wasn't the wind that crushed my car. It was tree damage.

If the microburst story holds true in your situation, that would be 100% wind damage. But you might be covered for wind, but check your policy first.

DON'T TELL 'EM ANYTHING except "My roof is damaged and needs repair/replacement. No idea what happened - send your adjuster and checkbook." They record all calls (IME) so don't volunteer information - you're not an expert, you're a policy holder.

 

[wingman2]

Microbursts can be wet or dry, but they’re only associated with thunderstorms.

If the damage was due to impact from a falling object there would be more broken tiles and the damage wouldn’t be spread out over the length of the roof.

I think that the most likely explanation is a dust devil. The atmospheric conditions were right and they can be just tens of feet in diameter, causing very localized damage.

A dust devil would certainly be a contender. I flew frequently back and forth from Sierra Vista to El Paso back in the mid 70's. In the summertime dust devils were very common. On clear days with unlimited visibility multiple dust devils could be seen. Some would rise hundreds of feet above the desert floor.

 

[tubaman]

Was this reported to local authorities to see if anyone else had reported anything? Also I’d consider the local TV news station, they are always looking for something unusual and might turn up an answer.

 

[Deleted member 371759]

Lived in San Tan Valley Az for close to 20 years. Had the same thing happen in 2015 or so. Not the middle of the roof though. Blew all the edge tiles off on one corner of the roof. Which sucked because a bunch broke and no one made the color anymore. Had to go to a roof tile grave yard (had no idea they even existed) Got some really close.

 

[Paystar]

If you listen to most news media they will tell you that was caused by climate change and internal combustion engines. And maybe a touch of covid.

 

[90Moneypit]

Have you noticed an increase or a decrease in your local roadrunner population? Are you finding random wooden crates with ACME stencils on them laying around?

 

[Jstpssng]

Have you noticed an increase or a decrease in your local roadrunner population? Are you finding random wooden crates with ACME stencils on them laying around?

This one made me laugh!!!

 

[Striker70]

What I hate here in my part of Alabama in the summer they have Department of Transportation Tractors that are counterweighted on one side and on the other side they have a Bush Hog turned vertical and they drive down the road cutting tree branches. The stop chains are also vertical at this time too. Throws wood out all sides, but I know of no damage ever happening YET ! Once was walking on my daily route and a family hired a guy with a Skid Steer with a forestry mulcher on the front and he threw a large limb out of the front and I had to take a few steps avoiding the spinning pine branch coming my way. Not a Happy Camper for sure ! Doubt this get a roof, but a windshield would be a for sure guess.

 

[Williy]

Are you sure it wasn't an illegal that came across the border
loaded with beans and let one fly

willy