Golf ball-sized hail detected near Peoria, IL on August 14, 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 16 miles northwest of downtown Peoria, with one hail report logged in Peoria County that day. At 2.25 inches, this size causes functional damage to standard architectural asphalt shingles — not just cosmetic bruising, but granule loss and broken mat structure that shortens roof life and can void manufacturer warranties. Roofs older than 10–15 years are the most vulnerable; newer installations may show damage that isn't visible from the ground but will fail prematurely. Peoria County's largest recorded event reached 3 inches on August 20, 2022 — today's event is serious but below that threshold.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% deductible, your out-of-pocket threshold is $7,000 before insurance pays anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square foot roof runs $9,062 — with a range of $7,414 to $10,709 depending on pitch, materials, 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 Peoria inspection
Peoria repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks 7th of 179 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in Peoria County over the past 10 years — a meaningful position in a well-documented record. The largest event on file remains the 3-inch storm on August 20, 2022. August historically sees about 22 such events per decade in this county, putting today's storm squarely in the normal seasonal range.
Storm system
The same system produced 1.5-inch hail near Champaign, Illinois on the same date, indicating this was a broader regional event rather than an isolated cell over Peoria County.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 2–4 weeks for roof work in the Peoria market. The city intake assessment rates storm chaser risk as moderate, consistent with what typically follows major regional hail events in this area — out-of-area contractors fill capacity gaps and that increases exposure to questionable operators. Illinois requires roofing contractors to hold a state license under the Roofing Industry Licensing Act (225 ILCS 335), carry general liability insurance, maintain workers' comp, and post a surety bond. Before signing anything, verify the contractor's license through the IDFPR public database.
Permits & building code
At 2.25 inches, full replacement is a real possibility depending on roof age and pre-storm condition — repairs are feasible on newer roofs, but adjusters often call replacement on aging shingle systems hit at this size. The contractor pulls the permit in Peoria, permit costs run $150–$350, and an inspection is required before the work is closed out. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Illinois insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any vehicles or AC equipment for storm-date documentation before anything is disturbed.
- 2Schedule a licensed Illinois roofing contractor to inspect for functional damage — not just cosmetic bruising.
- 3Contact your insurer to report potential damage and ask about the claim process and any policy deadlines.
- 4Verify every contractor's license status on the IDFPR public database before signing a contract — any offer to waive your deductible violates Illinois law and is a disqualifying red flag.
- 5Keep all written estimates, inspection reports, and correspondence in one place for the duration of any claim.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Peoria inspection
Hail size and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data (SWDI) and are radar-confirmed; a full NWS written report is pending.