Golf ball-sized hail detected near Fort Worth, TX on September 11, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Fort Worth 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 point falls approximately 14 miles southeast of downtown Fort Worth, with one hail report logged in Tarrant County for the day. At 2 inches, golf ball-sized hail is capable of causing functional damage to architectural asphalt shingles — not just cosmetic bruising — particularly on roofs 10 years or older where granule loss has already compromised the surface. Newer roofs may escape with dents and surface marks that don't affect waterproofing. The county's largest recorded event reached 4.5 inches on April 1, 2024, so this storm sits well below that threshold, but 2 inches is not a minor event for aging shingles.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, you're looking at $7,000 out of pocket before insurance pays anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square foot roof runs $6,372, with a range of $5,213 to $7,530. 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 Fort Worth inspection
Fort Worth repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks 59th out of 398 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in Tarrant County over the past 10 years, placing it in the upper quarter by magnitude. The largest event on record for the county was 4.5 inches on April 1, 2024, a storm well into severe damage territory for all roof types. September is historically quiet here — only 6 events in 10 years — making this storm atypical for the month.
Storm system
Same-day hail reports in McLennan, Dallas, and Williamson counties all came in at 1 inch, suggesting a broader storm system moved through central Texas, with Fort Worth on the high end of hail size for the day.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs running 4 to 8 weeks — scheduling ahead reduces wait time. The storm chaser risk in Fort Worth is rated high; the city is a known target for out-of-state roofing crews who begin door-to-door solicitation within 24 to 48 hours of significant storms. Texas does not require a state-level roofing license, so verify that any contractor holds a valid local business license, carries general liability and workers' comp, and is registered with the Texas Secretary of State if operating as a corporation or LLC. Under Texas Insurance Code § 707.002, a contractor who offers to waive or absorb your deductible is committing a Class B misdemeanor — walk away.
Permits & building code
At 2 inches, the outcome is inspection-dependent: some roofs will need targeted repair, others full replacement, based on age and pre-existing condition. The contractor pulls the permit in Fort Worth, inspections are required, and permit costs typically run $150 to $400. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Texas insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior surfaces showing dents or damage — do this before any repair work begins.
- 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 any contractor's local business license, liability insurance, workers' compensation coverage, and Secretary of State registration before signing anything.
- 4Keep a written record of all contractor visits, estimates, and communications — dates and names included.
- 5Review your homeowner's policy now to confirm your deductible type and any wind/hail-specific provisions before committing to any repair path.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Fort Worth inspection
Hail size and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data via SWDI; a full NWS ground-truth write-up is pending.