Golf ball-sized hail detected near Champaign, IL on June 16, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Champaign 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 strike was logged approximately 15 miles east of downtown Champaign, with a single report filed in Champaign County that day. At 1.75 inches, hail this size routinely causes functional damage to architectural asphalt shingles — the dominant roofing material in this market — not just cosmetic bruising. Granule loss, cracked tabs, and compromised mat integrity are common findings on roofs older than 10 years; newer shingles may show bruising without full functional loss. The county's largest recorded event reached 3.25 inches on June 29, 2023, so this storm sits well below that threshold, but 1.75 inches is sufficient to shorten a shingle's remaining service life.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, the out-of-pocket threshold is $7,000. A typical repair on a 2,000 sq ft home runs $7,362 — with a range of $6,023 to $8,701 depending on scope 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 Champaign inspection
Champaign repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks 20th of 84 hail events measuring 1 inch or larger recorded in Champaign County over the past 10 years, placing it in the middle of the county's documented hail history. The largest event on record reached 3.25 inches on June 29, 2023. June has produced 13 hail events over the past decade — historically normal for this county, though May is the peak month with 47 events.
Storm system
The same day brought hail reports in Marion, Indiana (1.25 inches) and Tippecanoe, Indiana (1 inch), indicating this was part of a broader storm system moving through the region rather than an isolated cell.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1 to 2 weeks in the Champaign area, and the storm chaser risk is assessed as low. That said, Champaign's thin local roofing market means post-storm capacity typically draws from contractors based in larger Illinois metros — verify credentials regardless of where a contractor originates. Illinois requires roofing contractors to hold a state license under the Roofing Industry Licensing Act (225 ILCS 335), carry general liability insurance, maintain workers' compensation, and post a surety bond; confirm license status through the IDFPR public database before signing anything. Any contractor who offers to waive or absorb your deductible is violating Illinois law — walk away.
Permits & building code
At 1.75 inches, repair is possible on younger roofs, but full replacement is a realistic outcome on roofs with significant age or prior wear. In Champaign, the contractor pulls the permit, inspections are required, and permit costs typically run $100 to $250. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Illinois insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior surfaces from ground level before anything is touched.
- 2Contact your insurer to report potential damage and ask about your policy's claim reporting window.
- 3Schedule an inspection with a licensed Illinois roofing contractor — verify their IDFPR license status before they set foot on your roof.
- 4Ask any contractor for proof of general liability insurance, workers' compensation, and their surety bond before signing a contract.
- 5Keep copies of all estimates, inspection reports, photos, and correspondence with your insurer in one place.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Champaign inspection
Hail size and location are based on an NWS Local Storm Report filed by a trained spotter; radar confirmation was pending at the time of publication.