Baseball-sized hail detected near Midland, TX on July 5, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Midland 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 13 miles east of downtown Midland, with one hail report logged in the county that day. At 3.5 inches, architectural asphalt shingles don't just take cosmetic hits — shingles lose granules, mat integrity fails, and underlayment can be compromised in a single event at this size. Functional damage is the expected outcome on any shingle roof, regardless of age, though roofs older than 10 years are at higher risk of full replacement rather than repair. The county's largest recorded event reached 4 inches on May 30, 2024, so this storm is in comparable territory.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, your out-of-pocket threshold is $7,000. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 sq ft roof in this market runs $5,748 — ranging from $4,703 to $6,794. 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 Midland inspection
Midland repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks third out of 158 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in the Midland area over the past decade — a notable position in a long record. The largest event on file is 4 inches, recorded May 30, 2024. July historically produces only about four such events per decade in this county, making this storm an outlier for the month.
Storm system
Taylor, TX also logged hail the same day, though at a much smaller half-dollar size (1.25 inches). The July 5 activity appears limited in geographic scope rather than part of a widespread outbreak.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows a current backlog of 1–2 weeks, which is manageable, but Midland's thin local roofing market means most post-storm capacity typically arrives from contractors based in larger Texas metros — verify how long any out-of-area crew has actually operated in this market. Storm chaser risk is assessed as low for this event. Texas does not require a state-level roofing license, so check that any contractor holds a valid local business license, carries general liability and workers' comp, and is properly registered with the Texas Secretary of State if they operate as an LLC or corporation. Get that documentation before signing anything.
Permits & building code
At 3.5 inches, full roof replacement is the more likely outcome than spot repair on most homes. The contractor pulls permits here; expect a permit cost of $100–$250 and a required inspection upon completion. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Texas insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior surfaces from ground level immediately — date-stamped photos establish pre-repair condition.
- 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's license, liability insurance, workers' comp coverage, and Secretary of State registration before allowing work to begin.
- 4Keep all written estimates, inspection reports, and contractor communications in one file — you may need them if a claim ever becomes relevant later.
- 5Under Texas Insurance Code § 707.002, any contractor who offers to waive or absorb your deductible is breaking the law — walk away and report it to the Texas Department of Insurance at https://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/homeowners-renters-insurance-complaint.html.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Midland inspection
Hail size and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data (SWDI); a full NWS storm survey write-up is pending.