Baseball-sized hail detected near Peoria, IL on September 15, 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 centroid fell approximately 17 miles northwest of downtown Peoria, with one confirmed report logged across Peoria County that day. At 3 inches, this is not a cosmetic event — hail this size delivers enough kinetic energy to crack, displace, or fully penetrate architectural asphalt shingles regardless of age. Functional loss — meaning the shingle can no longer shed water reliably — is likely on any roof in the direct path, and shingles already past 15 years are at high risk of through-damage. This magnitude ties the largest hail on record for Peoria County, a 3-inch event on August 20, 2022.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, you're looking at a $7,000 out-of-pocket threshold before insurance pays. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square-foot home in this market runs $9,175 — range $7,507 to $10,843 — and full replacement averages $15,292. 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
Across the 10-year NOAA record for Peoria County, this event ranks #2 of 179 hail events at or above 1 inch — a meaningful position in a dataset large enough to support that comparison. The county record remains a 3-inch event from August 20, 2022. September historically produces around 17 hail events per decade in this county, putting this date squarely within the normal late-season window rather than any outlier period.
Storm system
Sangamon County reported 1.25-inch hail the same day, suggesting this was part of a broader storm system moving through central Illinois rather than an isolated cell.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 2 to 4 weeks following this event, which is typical for Peoria's moderate-density market — out-of-area contractors routinely fill that gap, and the intake assessment rates storm chaser risk as moderate following major regional hail events. Illinois requires roofing contractors to hold a state license under the Roofing Industry Licensing Act (225 ILCS 335), carry general liability insurance at minimum $250,000/$500,000 limits, maintain workers' compensation coverage, and post a surety bond. Before signing anything, verify license status through the IDFPR public database. Under Illinois law, any contractor who offers to waive or cover your deductible is violating state law — that offer alone is grounds to walk away.
Permits & building code
At 3 inches, full replacement is the more likely outcome than spot repair, particularly on roofs with any prior wear. The contractor pulls the permit in Peoria, inspections are required, and permit costs typically run $150 to $350 — factor that into your estimate review. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Illinois insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, siding, and any exterior AC units or skylights before anything is disturbed — date-stamped photos are evidence.
- 2Contact your insurance carrier to report potential damage and ask about your policy's inspection and documentation requirements.
- 3Schedule a licensed roofing contractor inspection — verify their IDFPR license number before they set foot on your roof.
- 4Collect written estimates from at least two licensed contractors; compare scope of work line by line, not just the bottom number.
- 5Keep a file with all contractor bids, insurer communications, photos, and receipts — organized records resolve disputes faster.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Peoria inspection
Hail size and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data via SWDI; full NWS storm survey write-up is pending.