Golf ball-sized hail detected near Fort Worth, TX on September 21, 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 landed approximately 14 miles northeast of downtown Fort Worth, with one hail report logged in Tarrant County that day. At 2 inches, golf ball-sized hail is capable of functional damage to architectural asphalt shingles — denting, cracking, or granule loss that compromises waterproofing rather than just surface appearance. Shingles older than 10–15 years are most vulnerable; newer roofs may show cosmetic bruising with limited structural loss. Older areas with 3-tab shingles or wood shake face higher functional damage risk at this size.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, your out-of-pocket threshold is $7,000 before insurance pays anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 sq ft roof runs $6,372 — ranging from $5,213 to $7,530 — and full replacement averages $10,620. 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
Among 398 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in Tarrant County over the past 10 years, this event ranks 59th by magnitude — a mid-tier storm for a county that has seen hail up to 4.5 inches on April 1, 2024. September is historically quiet here: only 6 events of this size have occurred in this month over the past decade. That makes this storm unusual for the time of year, not for the county overall.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell — McLennan County logged 1.25-inch hail and Smith County recorded 2.25-inch hail the same day, indicating a broader storm system tracking across central and east Texas.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current scheduling backlogs of 4 to 8 weeks in the Fort Worth market. Storm chaser risk is rated high for this area — Fort Worth regularly draws out-of-state roofing crews after significant hail, and door-to-door solicitation typically begins within 24 to 48 hours of a storm. Texas does not require a state-level roofing license, so homeowners need to do their own vetting: confirm the 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, any contractor who offers to waive or absorb your deductible is breaking the law — walk away.
Permits & building code
At 2 inches, outcomes range from targeted repair to full replacement depending on shingle age and pre-storm condition. Whoever does the work pulls the permit in Fort Worth — that cost runs $150 to $400 — and an inspection is required before the job is closed out. 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 granule accumulation — date-stamp everything.
- 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.
- 3Vet any contractor before signing: request proof of liability insurance, workers' comp certificate, and local business license.
- 4Keep a folder with all inspection reports, photos, contractor quotes, and correspondence — organized by date.
- 5If a door-to-door contractor offers to cover your deductible, decline and report them to the Texas Department of Insurance at tdi.texas.gov.
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 storm survey write-up is pending.