Ping pong-sized hail detected near Chicago, IL on August 10, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Chicago 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 point falls approximately 6 miles north of downtown Chicago, with one hail report logged in Cook County that day. At 1.5 inches, architectural asphalt shingles are likely to show granule loss, bruising, and cracked tabs — damage that looks cosmetic on the surface but accelerates deterioration and can void manufacturer warranties. Functional damage at this size depends heavily on roof age: shingles over 15 years old with existing wear are far more vulnerable than newer installations. Older 3-tab or wood shake roofs, which appear in parts of the city, require separate evaluation criteria and often see more pronounced damage at this magnitude.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, the out-of-pocket threshold is $7,000. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square foot roof runs $11,309, with a range of $9,253 to $13,366 — and replacement averages $18,849. 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 Chicago inspection
Chicago repair cost reference
Historical context
Cook County's NOAA storm record includes limited data, and the record for hail events at or above 1 inch is too sparse to support reliable ranking claims. This event is the largest recorded in that limited dataset. August has shown no hail activity in the prior 10 years of available records for this county — though lower reporting density in this region means actual exposure is likely underrepresented.
Storm system
The August 10 system was not isolated to Cook County — the same storm corridor produced hail reports in Allen County, Indiana (1.25 inches), Will County, Illinois (1 inch), and Tippecanoe County, Indiana (1 inch), indicating a multi-county weather event across the Chicago metro and into northwest Indiana.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 4 to 8 weeks in the Chicago market — scheduling an inspection now gets you ahead of the post-storm surge. Storm chaser risk for this area is rated high; Chicago is a documented target for out-of-state roofing crews after significant events, and door-to-door solicitation can begin within 24 to 48 hours. Illinois requires roofing contractors to hold a state license under the Roofing Industry Licensing Act (225 ILCS 335) — that means a passed licensing exam, general liability coverage, workers' comp, and a surety bond. Verify license status through the IDFPR public database before signing anything, and note that any contractor offering to cover your deductible is violating Illinois law.
Permits & building code
At 1.5 inches, repair is the more common outcome, though older or already-compromised roofs can tip into replacement territory after inspection. Chicago requires a permit for roof work — the contractor pulls it, cost runs $150 to $400, and an inspection is required. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Illinois insurers.
- 1Photograph all roof surfaces, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior damage from ground level — do this before any contractor visits.
- 2Contact your insurance carrier to report potential damage and ask about your policy's claim reporting window.
- 3Schedule a licensed Illinois roofing contractor for a professional inspection — verify their IDFPR license status before booking.
- 4Pull the contractor's general liability certificate and workers' comp documentation before allowing anyone on the roof.
- 5Keep all inspection reports, contractor quotes, and insurer correspondence in one file for the duration of the claim process.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Chicago inspection
Hail data sourced from NOAA NEXRAD radar via SWDI; radar-confirmed as of the event date, pending full NWS storm survey write-up.