Golf ball-sized hail detected near Garden City, KS on June 25, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Garden City 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 landed approximately 17 miles northeast of downtown Garden City, with one hail report logged in Finney County that day. At 2 inches, golf ball-sized hail crosses the threshold for functional damage to architectural asphalt shingles — not just cosmetic bruising, but granule loss and compromised mat integrity that shortens roof lifespan. Roofs older than 10–15 years are at highest risk; newer shingles may show damage that isn't visible from the ground but still affects waterproofing. Finney County's documented record includes a 2-inch event on 2025-07-09, meaning the dominant shingle type in this market has faced this magnitude before.
On a $186,200 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, the out-of-pocket threshold is approximately $3,724. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 sq ft roof runs $6,398, with a range of $5,234–$7,561 depending on damage extent and material costs. 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 Garden City inspection
Garden City repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks 29th out of 162 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in the area over the past 10 years, placing it solidly in the upper third by magnitude. The largest event on record reached 3.5 inches on May 23, 2016. June is historically above average for hail activity in this county, with 42 events logged over the past decade — though May remains the peak month at 61 events.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell — the same system produced 1.75-inch hail in Ford County and 1-inch hail in Sedgwick County the same day, indicating a broader storm complex moving through south-central and southwest Kansas.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1–2 weeks, and the storm chaser risk for this market is assessed as low. That said, Garden City's roofing market is thin — most post-storm capacity arrives from contractors based in larger Kansas metros, so availability can tighten quickly after a regional event. Kansas requires all roofing contractors to hold a valid registration certificate under the Kansas Residential Roofing Act (KSA § 50-6,123 et seq.), which means proof of general liability insurance, workers' comp, and an annual tax clearance — verify registration through the Kansas Attorney General's office before signing anything. Also note: under the Kansas Residential Roofing Act, any contractor who offers to waive or rebate your deductible is violating state law.
Permits & building code
At 2 inches, full replacement is a realistic outcome on older roofs, though repair remains possible on newer installations with localized damage. Garden City requires a permit pulled by the contractor, with inspection required and permit costs running $100–$250. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Kansas insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior surfaces from the ground before anyone walks the roof.
- 2Schedule a professional roof inspection with a Kansas-registered contractor to document damage objectively.
- 3Contact your insurance carrier to report potential damage and ask about your policy's inspection and claim process.
- 4Verify any contractor's registration status through the Kansas Attorney General's office before signing a contract or allowing work to begin.
- 5Keep all inspection reports, estimates, and correspondence in one place — you'll need a clear paper trail if coverage is disputed.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Garden City inspection
Hail size and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data via SWDI; a full NWS ground-truth write-up is pending.