Baseball-sized hail detected near Houston, TX on August 28, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Houston 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 20 miles northwest of downtown Houston, with one hail report logged in Harris County that day. At 2.75 inches — baseball size — architectural asphalt shingles take functional damage, not just cosmetic bruising. Granule loss is extensive at this magnitude, and impact fractures in the mat are common on shingles older than 10 years; newer shingles may show fewer cracks but still lose enough granules to accelerate aging. Worth noting: this event ties the largest hail ever recorded in Harris County, previously set on May 31, 2024.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, the deductible runs $7,000. Typical repair cost on a 2,000 square foot home runs $5,855, with a range of $4,790 to $6,919. 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 Houston inspection
Houston repair cost reference
Historical context
With 156 confirmed hail events of 1 inch or larger in Harris County over the past 10 years, this event ranks second by magnitude — tied with the largest on record at 2.75 inches, first recorded May 31, 2024. August is historically quiet for hail in this county, averaging roughly four events over the past decade, well below the spring peak. May alone accounts for 57 events, driven by Gulf moisture and supercell outbreaks.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell. The same day produced 2-inch golf ball–sized hail in Williamson County and 1.5-inch ping pong–sized hail in Travis County, suggesting a broader multi-county hail-producing system moved through central and southeast Texas.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs running 4 to 8 weeks, so scheduling sooner limits your wait. The storm chaser risk for Houston is rated high — door-to-door solicitation from out-of-state crews typically starts within 24 to 48 hours of a significant event. Texas does not issue 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 an LLC or corporation. Before signing anything, confirm those credentials and read Texas Insurance Code § 707.002 — contractors cannot legally waive or absorb your deductible, and knowingly participating in that arrangement is a Class B misdemeanor for both parties.
Permits & building code
At 2.75 inches, full replacement is the more likely outcome on most residential roofs — partial repairs at this magnitude often fail inspection or leave mismatched material. Harris County requires a permit for roof replacement; the contractor pulls it, 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, skylights, and any exterior HVAC equipment before conditions change — 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.
- 3Verify any contractor's local business license, liability insurance, and workers' compensation coverage before allowing them on your property.
- 4Keep a written record of all contractor visits, quotes, and communications — note names, dates, and what was said.
- 5If you receive door-to-door solicitation, do not sign anything on the spot — take the contractor's credentials and verify independently.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Houston inspection
Hail size and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data via SWDI; a full NWS storm survey has not yet been completed and ground-truth verification is pending.