Ping pong-sized hail detected near St. Cloud, MN on July 4, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the St. Cloud 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 detection point sits approximately 1 mile north of downtown St. Cloud, with one hail report logged in Stearns County that day. At 1.5 inches, architectural asphalt shingles can sustain functional damage — granule loss, fractured mat, and compromised waterproofing — not just cosmetic bruising. Shingles older than 15 years are especially vulnerable; newer roofs may show impact marks without immediate leaking but can fail prematurely within a season or two. The county's largest recorded event reached 2 inches on 2025-07-19, which exceeded this event's magnitude.
On a home valued at $212,800 with a 2% deductible, the out-of-pocket threshold is $4,256 before insurance contributes. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 sq ft roof in this market runs $8,740, with a range of $7,151–$10,329 depending on 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 St. Cloud inspection
St. Cloud repair cost reference
Historical context
Over the past 10 years, Stearns County has recorded 164 hail events at or above 1 inch; this event ranks 72nd by magnitude. The largest in that span was a 4-inch event on July 26, 2019. July is historically the most active month in this county, accounting for 70 of those 164 events.
Storm system
No other counties were flagged with tracked hail reports on July 4, 2026. This appears to be an isolated event rather than part of a broader regional outbreak.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs running 2–4 weeks, which limits post-storm capacity and creates an opening for out-of-area operators. Storm chaser risk in St. Cloud is assessed as moderate following significant regional events — verify any contractor's registration before discussing work. Minnesota law requires residential roofing contractors to register with the Department of Labor and Industry under Minn. Stat. § 326B.092, with proof of general liability and workers' comp on file. Check registration status through the MN Department of Labor and Industry's online license lookup, and get that documentation before you sign anything.
Permits & building code
At 1.5 inches, repair is possible if damage is isolated, but full replacement is common when granule loss is widespread across an aging roof. The contractor pulls the permit in St. Cloud; expect permit costs of $150–$350, and an inspection is required before work is closed out. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Minnesota insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior surfaces from ground level — date-stamp every image.
- 2Schedule a professional roof inspection with a licensed Minnesota contractor to document damage before weather exposure compounds it.
- 3Contact your insurer to report potential damage and ask about your policy's claim process and any submission requirements.
- 4Verify any contractor's registration through the MN Department of Labor and Industry license lookup before agreeing to an estimate.
- 5Keep copies of all inspection reports, estimates, photos, and correspondence with your insurer in one file for reference.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free St. Cloud inspection
This event is sourced from an NWS Local Storm Report submitted by a trained spotter; radar confirmation was pending at time of publication.