Baseball-sized hail detected near Fountain, CO on June 22, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Fountain 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 strike landed approximately 4 miles northeast of downtown Fountain — one report was logged in El Paso County that day, suggesting a localized event rather than a county-wide system. At 3 inches, hail this size causes functional damage to standard architectural asphalt shingles, not just cosmetic bruising. Expect cracked or missing tabs, compromised mat layers, and accelerated granule loss — roofs more than 10 years old are especially vulnerable because the shingle mat is already degraded. El Paso County's largest recorded event was 4 inches on August 5, 2023, so this storm ranks eighth out of 138 events ≥1 inch over the past decade.
On a $374,600 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, you're looking at $7,492 out of pocket before insurance pays anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 sq ft roof runs $6,455, with a range of $5,281–$7,628. 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 Fountain inspection
Fountain repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks #8 of 138 hail events ≥1 inch recorded in El Paso County over the past 10 years — a high-magnitude outlier, not routine weather. June historically produces 35 events ≥1 inch in this county over that same span, above average and consistent with the Front Range's active late-spring storm pattern. The county record holder is a 4-inch event on August 5, 2023.
Storm system
No other tracked counties recorded hail activity on June 22, 2026. This was an isolated strike, not part of a broader multi-county system.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1–2 weeks in the Fountain area. The storm chaser risk is assessed as low, though Fountain's thin local roofing market means most post-storm capacity arrives from contractors based in Colorado Springs or larger metros — verify any out-of-area crew has a verifiable business address, not just a phone number. Colorado does not license roofing contractors at the state level, but C.R.S. §§ 6-22-101 to 6-22-105 (Colorado SB 38) requires a written contract on residential jobs over $1,000 with specific consumer protection disclosures. Before signing anything, confirm current general liability and workers' compensation coverage.
Permits & building code
At 3 inches, full roof replacement is more likely than spot repair on standard architectural shingles — partial repairs rarely pass inspection when the underlying mat is damaged across multiple sections. The contractor pulls the permit in Fountain; expect a permit cost of $100–$250 and a required inspection upon completion. 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 before anyone walks the roof — date-stamp every image.
- 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 by requesting proof of general liability insurance, workers' comp coverage, a verifiable local or regional business address, and a written contract as required under C.R.S. § 6-22-105 before work begins.
- 4Keep a written log of every contractor visit, estimate, and conversation — names, dates, and what was said.
- 5File all estimates, photos, and correspondence in a single folder; you'll need that paper trail if a dispute arises later.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Fountain inspection
Hail size and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data via SWDI; a full NWS storm survey write-up is pending.