Golf ball-sized hail detected near Pueblo, CO on August 16, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Pueblo 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 landed approximately 19 miles southwest of downtown Pueblo — a single report was logged in Pueblo County that day. At 2 inches, golf ball-sized hail is large enough to cause functional damage to standard architectural asphalt shingles, not just cosmetic bruising. Shingles older than 10–15 years are especially vulnerable; granule loss at this size typically shortens remaining roof life even when the damage isn't immediately visible. The county's largest recorded event measured 3 inches on July 13, 2023 — today's event is smaller but still above the threshold where insurers take claims seriously.
On a $230,900 home with a 2% deductible, the out-of-pocket threshold is roughly $4,618. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 sq ft roof after a 2-inch event runs $6,417 — range $5,250 to $7,584 — with full replacement averaging $10,695. Get a professional inspection before making any insurance decisions.
At these numbers, the typical repair cost exceeds a standard 2% deductible. Contact your insurer — damage at this level is likely worth filing before you pay out of pocket.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Pueblo inspection
Pueblo repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks 9th of 86 recorded hail events of 1 inch or greater in Pueblo County over the past 10 years by magnitude, placing it in the upper tier of the local record. The largest event on record reached 3 inches on July 13, 2023. August historically sees 13 such events per decade in this county, making it an active month — though July, with 34 events, remains the peak.
Storm system
This was not an isolated storm. The same system produced 2.5-inch hail in Fremont County, 3.5-inch hail in El Paso County, and additional strikes in Douglas and Weld counties — a broad multi-county hail outbreak across the region.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 2–4 weeks in the Pueblo market. The intake assessment rates storm chaser risk as moderate, consistent with Pueblo's history of out-of-area contractors moving in after regional events — that gap in local capacity is what creates the exposure. Colorado does not require a state roofing license, but C.R.S. §§ 6-22-101 to 6-22-105 (Senate Bill 38) mandates a written contract on any residential job over $1,000 with specific consumer protections built in. Before signing anything, verify current general liability insurance, workers' compensation coverage, and a verifiable local business address.
Permits & building code
At 2 inches, repair is possible on newer roofs, but replacement becomes the likely outcome on older or already-compromised shingles. The contractor pulls the permit in Pueblo — expect permit costs of $150–$350 and a required inspection before the job is closed out. 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 the ground — document before any debris is cleared.
- 2Contact your insurer to report potential hail damage and ask about next steps for a claim inspection.
- 3Schedule a professional roof inspection with a licensed, locally verifiable contractor before accepting any verbal damage assessment.
- 4Vet any contractor by requesting proof of general liability insurance, workers' comp, and a written contract as required under C.R.S. § 6-22-101.
- 5Keep copies of all inspection reports, contractor estimates, and insurer correspondence in one file.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Pueblo inspection
This event was detected by NOAA NEXRAD radar via the Severe Weather Data Inventory (SWDI) and is confirmed by radar; a full NWS written report is pending.