Golf ball-sized hail detected near Sioux Falls, SD on August 20, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Sioux Falls 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 19 miles northwest of downtown Sioux Falls — one report was logged across Minnehaha County that day. At 2.25 inches, golf ball-sized hail is large enough to cause functional damage to architectural asphalt shingles, not just cosmetic bruising. Shingles older than 10–12 years are especially vulnerable; granule loss at this size typically accelerates moisture intrusion and shortens remaining service life. Some areas closer to the city center may have older 3-tab shingles or wood shake, which behave differently under impact and warrant separate evaluation.
On a $271,400 home with a 2% deductible, the out-of-pocket threshold is roughly $5,428. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 sqft roof after an event like this runs $6,185, with a range of $5,060 to $7,309 — replacement averages $10,308 if damage is functional. 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 Sioux Falls inspection
Sioux Falls repair cost reference
Historical context
Among 125 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in Minnehaha County over the past decade, this event ranks fifth by magnitude — a meaningful data point in a county with substantial hail history. The largest recorded event reached 3.5 inches on August 6, 2021. August is historically the most active month in this county, accounting for 55 of those 125 events, so this storm fits a well-established seasonal pattern rather than an anomaly.
Storm system
No other tracked counties logged hail activity on August 20, 2026. This was an isolated event with no broader multi-county storm system apparent in the data.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 4 to 8 weeks in the Sioux Falls market — scheduling sooner rather than later reduces wait time. The storm chaser risk here is rated high; Sioux Falls is a known target for out-of-state roofing contractors who typically begin door-to-door solicitation within 24 to 48 hours of a significant storm. South Dakota requires residential roofing contractors to hold a license through the Contractors Board under SDCL Chapter 36-18A — verify license status before signing anything. Confirm current general liability and workers' comp coverage as well; a contractor who can't produce those documents on request isn't worth your time.
Permits & building code
At 2.25 inches, full replacement is a realistic outcome on older roofs, though inspection will determine whether repair is sufficient. Whoever does the work must pull the permit — that's on the contractor, not the homeowner — and an inspection is required, with permit costs typically running $150 to $400 in this area. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most South Dakota insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior damage — date-stamp everything before anything is disturbed.
- 2Schedule a professional roof inspection with a licensed South Dakota contractor to assess functional versus cosmetic damage.
- 3Contact your insurance carrier to report potential damage and ask about your policy's inspection and documentation requirements.
- 4Verify any contractor's license through the South Dakota Contractors Board and request proof of general liability and workers' comp before signing a contract.
- 5Under South Dakota law, any contractor who offers to waive or rebate your deductible is violating SDCL Chapter 36-18A — that contract is void, and you can walk away.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Sioux Falls inspection
Hail magnitude and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data (SWDI); a full NWS storm survey write-up is pending and may revise these figures.