Golf ball-sized hail detected near Midland, TX on September 21, 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 centroid placed this strike approximately 15 miles southwest of downtown Midland, with one hail report logged countywide that day. At 1.75 inches, architectural asphalt shingles can sustain granule loss and bruising — damage that is often functional rather than cosmetic, particularly on roofs older than 10 years. Shingles in good condition may show impact marks without immediate leaks, but compromised granule coverage accelerates aging and can void manufacturer warranties. Midland County's largest recorded event reached 4 inches on May 30, 2024, which is a different order of severity than what this storm produced.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, the out-of-pocket threshold is $7,000 before insurance contributes anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square foot roof after a storm of this magnitude runs $6,064, with a range of $4,961 to $7,167. 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 77th out of 158 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in Midland County over the past 10 years, placing it squarely in the middle of the historical distribution. The largest event on record reached 4 inches on May 30, 2024 — more than twice the size of today's storm. September is historically quiet here; only 3 events of comparable size have occurred in this month over the past decade, well below the May peak of 63 events.
Storm system
Ector County reported quarter-sized hail (1 inch) the same day, suggesting a broader but modest storm system moved through the region rather than an isolated cell targeting Midland.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1 to 2 weeks, which is manageable relative to post-major-storm conditions. Storm chaser risk is assessed as low for this market, though the intake data notes that Midland's thin local roofing market means post-storm capacity often comes from contractors based in larger Texas metros — worth keeping in mind when vetting credentials. 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 an LLC or corporation. Under Texas Insurance Code § 707.002, a contractor who offers to waive or absorb your deductible is committing a Class B misdemeanor — walk away if that offer is made.
Permits & building code
At 1.75 inches, repair rather than full replacement is the more likely outcome on roofs in reasonable condition, though a professional inspection is the only way to determine actual scope. The contractor pulls permits in Midland, permit costs run $100 to $250, and a post-repair inspection is required. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Texas insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, and any exterior surfaces from the ground immediately — 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 contractor credentials: local business license, general liability insurance, workers' comp coverage, and Texas Secretary of State registration if applicable.
- 4Keep all inspection reports, written estimates, and contractor communications in a single file for your records.
- 5If you receive any offer from a contractor to waive or cover your deductible, decline and report it to the Texas Department of Insurance at tdi.texas.gov.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Midland inspection
Hail size and location data are sourced from NOAA NEXRAD radar via the Severe Weather Data Inventory (SWDI) and are radar-confirmed, pending full NWS storm report write-up.