Golf ball-sized hail detected near Aurora, IL on August 21, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Aurora 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-indicated strike landed approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Aurora, with one confirmed report logged across Kane County that day. At 1.75 inches, golf ball-sized hail is large enough to cause functional damage to standard architectural asphalt shingles — not just cosmetic bruising. Roofs older than 10–15 years or those with pre-existing granule loss are most vulnerable; newer shingles may show impact marks without losing waterproofing integrity. For context, Kane County's largest recorded event was 3 inches on April 4, 2023 — well above today's magnitude, though today's storm still clears the threshold where a professional inspection is warranted.
On a $350,000 home, a 2% deductible works out to $7,000. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square-foot roof runs $10,281 — with a range of $8,412 to $12,151 depending on access, pitch, and labor. 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 Aurora inspection
Aurora repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks 40th out of 86 recorded hail events of 1 inch or greater in Kane County over the past 10 years, placing it squarely in the middle of the county's hail history. The largest event on record here reached 3 inches on April 4, 2023. August averages roughly six hail events per decade in this county — active enough to be expected, but well below the April peak of 43 events.
Storm system
This was part of a broader regional system — same-day hail was confirmed in Milwaukee and Dane counties in Wisconsin and Winnebago County in Illinois, though at smaller sizes ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches. The Aurora strike at 1.75 inches was the largest reported across the affected area that day.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 4 to 8 weeks in the Aurora market; scheduling an inspection sooner rather than later reduces that exposure. Storm chaser risk in Aurora is assessed as moderate following major regional hail events — scrutinize any contractor who shows up unsolicited. Illinois requires roofing contractors to hold a state license under the Roofing Industry Licensing Act (225 ILCS 335), carry minimum liability coverage, maintain workers' compensation insurance, and post a surety bond. Before signing anything, verify the contractor's license status through the IDFPR public database.
Permits & building code
At 1.75 inches, outcomes range from localized repair to full replacement depending on roof age and pre-storm condition — expect Kane County to require a permit for any roof replacement, with permit costs typically running $150 to $350, and a required inspection upon completion. The contractor pulls the permit in Illinois, not the homeowner. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Illinois insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior metal surfaces from the ground — document the date on every image.
- 2Schedule a professional roof inspection with a licensed Illinois contractor within the next two to three weeks to get ahead of backlog delays.
- 3Contact your insurer to report potential storm damage and ask about your policy's claim reporting window.
- 4Verify any contractor's license and bond status through the IDFPR public database before allowing work to begin — and note that any offer to waive your deductible is illegal under Illinois law.
- 5Keep a file with your inspection report, all contractor estimates, and any correspondence with your insurer — you will need this if the claim is disputed.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Aurora inspection
Hail data for this event is sourced from NOAA NEXRAD radar via the Severe Weather Data Inventory (SWDI) and is radar-confirmed, with a full NWS write-up pending.