Golf ball-sized hail detected near Bismarck, ND on July 19, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Bismarck 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 strike was logged approximately 9 miles northeast of downtown Bismarck, with a single report recorded in Burleigh County that day. At 1.75 inches, hail this size is capable of functional damage to architectural asphalt shingles — the material covering most Bismarck homes. Functional damage means granule loss, cracked tabs, and compromised waterproofing, not just surface marks. Roofs already 10-plus years old are more vulnerable; a younger roof may show only cosmetic bruising at this size. Note that the county's largest recorded event reached 4.5 inches on July 29, 2024 — this event is substantially smaller but still above the threshold where shingle damage becomes likely.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% deductible, the out-of-pocket threshold before insurance pays anything is $7,000. A typical repair on a 2,000 sq ft roof in this market runs $7,375, with the range landing between $6,034 and $8,716. 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 Bismarck inspection
Bismarck repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks 59th out of 150 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in the Bismarck area over the past 10 years, placing it in the middle of the distribution. The largest event on record hit 4.5 inches on July 29, 2024. July is the peak month for hail in this county, accounting for 77 events over the past decade — this storm fits the established seasonal pattern rather than representing an anomaly.
Storm system
No other tracked counties reported hail activity on July 19, 2026. This appears to have been an isolated event rather than part of a broader regional outbreak.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs running 2–4 weeks in the Bismarck market. The intake assessment rates storm chaser risk here as moderate, consistent with Bismarck's history of out-of-area crews filling capacity gaps after regional events. North Dakota does not require a state-specific roofing license, so the burden falls on homeowners to vet credentials carefully — verify a valid general contractor or municipal construction license, proof of liability insurance, and workers' compensation coverage. Before signing anything, confirm the contractor has a physical North Dakota address and check references; also be aware that offering to waive or absorb your deductible is illegal under North Dakota law and constitutes insurance fraud.
Permits & building code
At 1.75 inches, inspection findings will determine whether repair or full replacement is warranted — either outcome is plausible depending on roof age and condition. Whoever you hire is responsible for pulling the permit in Bismarck; permits run $150–$350 and an inspection is required before the work is considered complete. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most North Dakota insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, and any exterior surfaces from ground level before conditions change — document date and time stamps.
- 2Schedule a professional roof inspection with a licensed, locally verifiable contractor to assess whether damage is functional or cosmetic.
- 3Contact your insurer to report potential damage and ask about your specific policy's claim process and any documentation requirements.
- 4Verify contractor credentials before signing: valid license, liability insurance, workers' comp, and a physical North Dakota address.
- 5Keep copies of all inspection reports, contractor estimates, and insurer correspondence in one file for the duration of the claim process.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Bismarck inspection
This event is sourced from an NWS Local Storm Report submitted by a trained spotter; radar confirmation is pending as of the report date.