Golf ball-sized hail detected near Peoria, IL on June 17, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Peoria 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 was located approximately 10 miles north of downtown Peoria — a single report was logged in Peoria County that day. At 2.25 inches, golf ball-sized hail crosses well past cosmetic territory for architectural asphalt shingles, which are the dominant material in the Peoria housing stock. Expect functional damage: granule loss deep enough to accelerate aging, cracked or fractured shingles, and potential underlayment compromise on older roofs — particularly anything 15 years or more. This event ranked seventh-largest in the county's 10-year record, so it was not the worst day Peoria County has seen, but it was serious.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, your out-of-pocket threshold is $7,000 before insurance pays anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square foot roof runs $8,559 — range $7,003 to $10,115 — with full replacement averaging $14,265; the BLS labor index for this market is above the national average, so bids will reflect that. 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 Peoria inspection
Peoria repair cost reference
Historical context
With 179 hail events of one inch or larger recorded in Peoria County over the past 10 years, this county carries real storm exposure — and this event ranked seventh of those 179 by magnitude. The largest on record was a 3-inch event on August 20, 2022, a threshold where functional loss across all shingle types is expected. June is historically average for this county, with 18 events over 10 years; April is the peak month.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell — the same system produced hail across multiple counties on June 17, including a 4-inch (baseball-sized) strike in Sangamon County, Illinois, and additional events in Johnson County, Iowa and Champaign County, Illinois, confirming a broad regional outbreak.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 2 to 4 weeks, meaning the inspection queue fills fast after an event like this. The intake assessment rates storm chaser risk as moderate — Peoria does see out-of-area contractors move in following regional hail outbreaks, so vet anyone who knocks on your door. 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 coverage, and post a surety bond; verify license status through the IDFPR public database before signing anything. Any contractor who offers to waive or absorb your deductible is breaking Illinois law — walk away and report it.
Permits & building code
At 2.25 inches, repair is possible on newer roofs, but full replacement becomes the likely outcome on aged or already-compromised shingles. Peoria County requires the contractor to pull the permit — budget $150 to $350 for the permit fee — and an inspection is required before work is considered complete. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Illinois insurers.
- 1Document roof condition now — photograph every face of the roof, gutters, downspouts, and any skylights or flashing before weather or foot traffic alters the evidence.
- 2Schedule a licensed Illinois roofing contractor for a professional inspection — verify their IDFPR license status before they set foot on the roof.
- 3Contact your insurer to report potential hail damage and ask about your policy's claim reporting window.
- 4Confirm the contractor carries general liability insurance and workers' compensation — request certificates, not just verbal assurances.
- 5Keep a written record of all contractor conversations, bids, and insurer communications including dates and names.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Peoria inspection
Hail detection for this event is sourced from NOAA NEXRAD radar via the Severe Weather Data Inventory (SWDI) and is radar-confirmed; a full NWS written report is pending.