Homes with gabled roofs are likely to suffer more damage than other types. A gabled roof is flat on one end and looks like an "A". To check the strength of this system, go inside the attic and look at the truss system. The trusses are the A-framed wood supports in the attic. The roof sheathing should be tightly nailed to the top parts of the truss. If it looks as though most of the nails have missed this part, your roof is already weakened because strength comes from all the components working together. Truss bracing consists of 2 by 4s running across the trusses, from one to another, tying them all together.
Look for these boards running the length of the building. The gabled end, (the end wall to the attic) should have additional 2 by 4s running from the center of the peak of the gable end to the floor of the attic and another from the center of the bottom of the gable end to the roof of the attic. This should look like an "X" when viewed from the side. If you do not see either of these re-reinforcements, you may want to consider having them installed.
Regardless of the type of roof design, hurricane straps are designed to help hold the roof to the walls. While you are in the attic, inspect for them. They look like thin strips of metal wrapping around the bottom ends of the trusses and down into the wall frame. These will be difficult for the homeowner to install, or maybe even see depending on the type of attic space you have. Call a professional contractor or inspector to make sure your roof's attachment system is within current code for the area.