Golf ball-sized hail detected near Bloomington, IN on August 11, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Bloomington 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 placed the hail core approximately 12 miles south of downtown Bloomington, with one report logged across Monroe County that day. At 2 inches, golf ball-sized hail is large enough to cause functional damage to standard architectural asphalt shingles — not just cosmetic granule loss, but bruising and cracking that can compromise the shingle mat and accelerate moisture infiltration. Roofs older than 15 years or already showing wear are most vulnerable; newer shingles in good condition may sustain only surface damage. The neighboring Tippecanoe County event reached 2.75 inches the same day, which puts this strike at a meaningful but not peak magnitude within the regional system.
On a $289,700 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, your out-of-pocket threshold is approximately $5,794 before insurance contributes anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square foot roof following a 2-inch hail event runs $6,976, with the range landing between $5,708 and $8,245 depending on pitch, material condition, 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 Bloomington inspection
Bloomington repair cost reference
Historical context
Over the past 10 years, Monroe County has logged 77 hail events at or above 1 inch — this event ranks 10th by magnitude among those 77. The county's largest recorded event reached 4 inches on June 25, 2023, well above today's strike. August is historically quiet in Monroe County; no events at or above 1 inch have been recorded in August over the past decade, making this storm an anomaly for the month.
Storm system
This was not an isolated event. The same system produced hail across multiple counties in Indiana and Illinois on August 11, including 2.75-inch reports in Tippecanoe County and 4-inch hail in St. Joseph County, indicating a broad and active storm corridor moving through the region.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs running 2 to 4 weeks in the Bloomington market. The intake assessment rates storm chaser risk as moderate — Bloomington draws out-of-area contractors after regional events, and this storm's reach across multiple states will likely push that activity higher. Indiana does not require a state-level roofing license, but the Home Improvement Contracts Act does require contractors with employees to carry workers' compensation under Indiana Code § 22-3-2-5. Before signing anything, ask for proof of general liability insurance, workers' comp, a verifiable local business address, and confirmation that the contractor will pull the required building permit.
Permits & building code
At 2 inches, full replacement is possible depending on roof age and the extent of functional damage found during inspection — repairs are more likely on newer roofs with limited impact area. Monroe County requires a building permit for roof work; the contractor pulls it, the cost runs $150 to $350, and an inspection is required. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Indiana insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior surfaces from ground level before conditions change — date-stamp every image.
- 2Schedule a professional roof inspection with a licensed, locally verifiable contractor to assess functional versus cosmetic damage.
- 3Contact your insurance carrier to report potential damage and begin the claims process, given that estimated repair costs may exceed your deductible.
- 4Vet every contractor before signing: request proof of general liability insurance, workers' comp, and confirmation they will pull the required permit — any offer to waive your deductible is a violation of Indiana law.
- 5Keep a file with all inspection reports, estimates, photos, and correspondence in one place throughout the claims and repair process.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Bloomington inspection
Hail data for this event is sourced from NOAA NEXRAD radar via the Severe Weather Data Inventory (SWDI) and is radar-confirmed, with a full NWS write-up still pending.