Baseball-sized hail detected near Centennial, CO on August 22, 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 radar-confirmed strike centroid landed approximately 15 miles east of downtown Centennial, with one hail report logged across Arapahoe County that day. At 3.25 inches, architectural asphalt shingles — the dominant material here — face near-certain functional damage: cracked mats, granule loss deep enough to expose substrate, and probable bruising that accelerates weathering. This is not cosmetic. Roofs older than 10–12 years are likely candidates for full replacement rather than patch repair; newer roofs may still see localized field damage depending on slope exposure and installation quality.
On a home valued at the county median of $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 square foot roof runs $7,349 — ranging from $6,013 to $8,685 depending on scope. 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
Across 42 recorded hail events of one inch or larger in the past ten years, today's 3.25-inch stone is the largest on record — surpassing the previous high of 2.75 inches set on June 19, 2018. August is historically quiet in Arapahoe County; only one prior August event appears in the ten-year record, well below the peak month of June, which has logged 23 events. Worth noting: NOAA reporting density in this region is lower than average, so the actual ten-year exposure is likely higher than the recorded count reflects.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell. The same system produced golf ball-sized hail in Weld County and Albany County, Wyoming, with ping pong-sized hail in both Adams and Douglas counties — a broad corridor of significant hail tracking northeast across the Front Range.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs running 4–8 weeks; scheduling inspections now rather than waiting reduces your exposure to further delay. The storm chaser risk assessment for Centennial is rated high — expect door-to-door solicitation from out-of-state crews within 24–48 hours of this event. Colorado does not issue a state roofing license, but Colorado Senate Bill 38 (C.R.S. §§ 6-22-101 to 6-22-105) requires a written contract on all residential jobs over $1,000 with specific consumer protections built in. Before signing anything, verify current general liability and workers' compensation coverage, a verifiable local business address, and be aware that under C.R.S. § 6-22-105, any contractor who offers to waive or rebate your deductible is breaking the law — and so are you if you knowingly go along with it.
Permits & building code
At 3.25 inches, full roof replacement is more probable than spot repair for most homes, meaning permits are almost certainly in play. In Centennial, the contractor pulls the permit — cost runs $150–$400 — and an inspection is required before the job closes. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.
- 1Document all visible damage now — photograph every roof plane, gutters, downspouts, skylights, and any exterior AC or solar equipment before anything is cleaned up or disturbed.
- 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.
- 3Collect proof of licensing compliance: ask any contractor for a copy of their general liability certificate, workers' comp documentation, and their written contract as required by C.R.S. § 6-22-101.
- 4Keep a written record of every contractor visit, quote, and communication — dates, names, and what was said — in case of any later dispute.
- 5Save all receipts for any emergency protective measures you take, such as tarping, so costs are documented if they become relevant to your claim or repair scope.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Centennial inspection
Hail magnitude and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data via SWDI; a full NWS ground-truth write-up is pending.