Baseball-sized hail detected near Minot, ND on June 29, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Minot 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-indicated strike fell approximately 19 miles southeast of downtown Minot, with one hail report logged in Ward County that day. At 4 inches, this is catastrophic for architectural asphalt shingles — expect full granule loss, cracked or punctured mats, and probable structural damage to decking, gutters, and flashing. This is not a cosmetic event. Roofs older than 10 years face near-certain functional failure; even newer installations are unlikely to survive 4-inch hail without significant material loss.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% hail deductible, your out-of-pocket threshold is $7,000 before insurance contributes a dollar. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square foot roof runs $6,846 — with a range of $5,602 to $8,091 — and full replacement averages $11,411. Get a professional inspection before making any insurance decisions.
At these numbers, you're better off repairing out of pocket — the typical repair cost falls below your deductible. Filing a claim likely isn't worth it unless a full inspection reveals significantly more damage.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Minot inspection
Minot repair cost reference
Historical context
With 77 hail events of 1 inch or more recorded in the past 10 years, this event ranks first of 77 by magnitude — the largest on record for this area. The previous record was 2.75 inches on September 20, 2019, a storm that crossed the severe damage threshold for all shingle types. June is historically active in Ward County, averaging well above the monthly norm with 28 documented events over the same period.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell. Baseball-sized hail was also radar-confirmed in Burleigh County the same day, and quarter-sized hail was reported in Grand Forks — pointing to a widespread organized convective event across North Dakota.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1 to 2 weeks, and storm chaser risk is assessed as low for the Minot market. North Dakota does not require a state roofing license, so verification falls on the homeowner: confirm any contractor holds a valid municipal general contractor or construction license, carries liability and workers' compensation insurance, and operates from a physical North Dakota address with verifiable local references. North Dakota law prohibits contractors from waiving or absorbing your deductible as an inducement to hire — any contractor who offers that is committing insurance fraud.
Permits & building code
At 4 inches, full roof replacement is the expected outcome for the majority of Minot homes — repair alone is unlikely to restore functional integrity. Ward County permits are pulled by the contractor, require a post-installation inspection, and typically cost $100 to $250. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most North Dakota insurers.
- 1Photograph all visible exterior damage — roof surface, gutters, downspouts, siding, and any skylights or vents — before anything is touched or cleaned up.
- 2Get a repair estimate from a licensed contractor before contacting your insurer — at these numbers, out-of-pocket repair is likely cheaper than filing a claim.
- 3Verify contractor credentials: ask for proof of liability insurance, workers' comp coverage, and a physical North Dakota business address before signing anything.
- 4Keep a written record of every contractor contact — names, dates, estimates received, and any commitments made.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Minot inspection
Hail data for this event is sourced from NOAA NEXRAD radar via the Severe Weather Data Inventory (SWDI) and is radar-confirmed, pending full NWS write-up.