Golf ball-sized hail detected near Mankato, MN on September 3, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Mankato 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 centered approximately 16 miles southwest of downtown Mankato, with one hail report logged across Blue Earth County that day. At 1.75 inches, architectural asphalt shingles face a real functional damage risk — this size can crack or displace granules to the point of compromising the shingle's weathering layer, not just cosmetic pitting. Roofs older than 15 years are most exposed; shingles already weathered or brittle can fail structurally at this size. Blue Earth County's largest recorded event reached 4 inches on July 10, 2017 — today's storm is smaller, but 1.75 inches is not a threshold most standard shingles handle without some degree of loss.
On a home at Mankato's median value of $250,600, a 2% deductible works out to roughly $5,012 out of pocket before insurance pays anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square foot roof runs $7,232, with the range landing between $5,917 and $8,547. 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 Mankato inspection
Mankato repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks 28th out of 109 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in Blue Earth County over the past ten years, placing it in the middle of the county's storm history by magnitude. The largest event on record for the county is the 4-inch hailstorm on July 10, 2017. September is not the most active month locally — only 9 September events appear in the 10-year record compared to 34 in July — so this storm is a late-season occurrence, not unusual but not peak season either.
Storm system
The same day, 1.5-inch hail was reported in Hennepin County, suggesting this was part of a broader regional weather system rather than a highly localized cell.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows a current backlog of 1–2 weeks in the Mankato market, and storm chaser risk is assessed as low for this area. Minnesota requires roofing contractors doing residential work to be registered with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry as a residential contractor under Minn. Stat. § 326B.092, which mandates proof of general liability and workers' compensation coverage. Before signing anything, verify registration through the MN Department of Labor and Industry's online license lookup. Any contractor who offers to waive or absorb your deductible is violating Minnesota law — walk away.
Permits & building code
At 1.75 inches, outcomes will split between repair and full replacement depending on roof age and pre-storm condition — an inspection determines which applies. Mankato requires a permit for roof work; the contractor pulls it, cost runs $100–$250, and an inspection is required upon completion. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Minnesota insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof and gutters from ground level immediately — look for dents in metal flashing, gutters, and downspouts as indicators of hail impact.
- 2Schedule a professional roof inspection with a registered Minnesota residential contractor before authorizing any repairs.
- 3Contact your insurance carrier to report potential hail damage and ask about your inspection and claim timeline.
- 4Verify any contractor's registration status through the MN Department of Labor and Industry license lookup before signing a contract.
- 5Keep all inspection reports, repair estimates, and communications with your insurer in one file for reference throughout the process.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Mankato inspection
Hail size and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data via SWDI; a full NWS written confirmation is pending.