Golf ball-sized hail detected near Centennial, CO on August 15, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Centennial monitoring area. Actual impact can vary by neighborhood, so nearby homes should use this as a signal to check roofs, gutters, siding, and vehicles.
Damage assessment
The detected strike was approximately 4 miles east of downtown Centennial — one report logged in Arapahoe County for the day. At 1.75 inches, architectural asphalt shingles can sustain functional damage: bruising, granule loss, and cracked mat are possible, though cosmetic-only hits are also common at this size. Roofs older than 15 years or already showing granule wear are more vulnerable to functional damage than newer installations. The county's largest recorded event was 2.75 inches on June 19, 2018 — that threshold causes more consistent functional damage across all shingle ages.
On a home valued at $626,700, a 2% deductible works out to roughly $12,534 out of pocket before insurance pays anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 sq ft roof after a comparable event runs $7,349 — with a range of $6,013 to $8,685. Get a professional inspection before making any insurance decisions.
At these numbers, you're better off repairing out of pocket — the typical repair cost falls below your deductible. Filing a claim likely isn't worth it unless a full inspection reveals significantly more damage.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Centennial inspection
Centennial repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks 11th out of 42 recorded hail events of 1 inch or greater in the past 10 years for this area, placing it in the upper quarter by magnitude. The largest on record is 2.75 inches from June 19, 2018. August is historically slow for hail here — only one comparable event has been recorded in this month over the past decade, making this an atypical timing for a storm of this size.
Storm system
No other tracked counties reported hail activity on August 15, 2026. This appears to be an isolated event rather than part of a broader multi-county system.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs running 4 to 8 weeks, so scheduling sooner rather than later reduces wait time. The storm chaser risk for Centennial is rated high — door-to-door solicitations from out-of-state roofers can begin within 24 to 48 hours of a significant storm. Colorado does not require a state-level roofing license, but C.R.S. §§ 6-22-101 to 6-22-105 (Colorado SB 38) mandates a written contract on residential jobs over $1,000 with specific consumer protections built in. Before signing anything, confirm the contractor carries current general liability and workers' comp, has a verifiable local business address, and ask for all three — don't skip the verification because they showed up with a clipboard and a friendly pitch.
Permits & building code
At 1.75 inches, repair rather than full replacement is the more likely outcome on newer roofs in good condition — older or pre-damaged roofs may cross the threshold requiring full replacement. Any roofing work in Centennial requires the contractor to pull the permit ($150–$400) and pass a required inspection. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior surfaces from ground level immediately — before any contractor visits.
- 2Get a repair estimate from a licensed contractor before contacting your insurer — at these numbers, out-of-pocket repair is likely cheaper than filing a claim.
- 3Vet any contractor before letting them on your roof: request proof of general liability insurance, workers' comp, a verifiable local address, and a written contract as required by Colorado SB 38.
- 4Document all contractor interactions — keep copies of any estimates, contracts, and written communications in a dedicated folder.
- 5Note the date of the storm and inspection results in writing; this record matters if damage worsens or a dispute arises later.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Centennial inspection
Hail magnitude is based on an NWS Local Storm Report from a trained spotter; radar confirmation was pending at time of publication.