Golf ball-sized hail detected near Round Rock, TX on August 28, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Round Rock 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 15 miles northwest of downtown Round Rock, with one hail report logged across Williamson County that day. At 2 inches, golf ball-sized hail is large enough to cause functional damage to standard architectural asphalt shingles — the dominant material in Round Rock's housing stock — particularly on roofs older than 10 to 15 years. Shingles with significant granule loss or prior weathering are most vulnerable; newer roofs may show only cosmetic bruising. Harris County recorded 2.75-inch hail the same day, so if the same system tracked through your area, actual stone sizes could have varied across the region.
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 square foot roof after this class of event runs $6,356, with a range of $5,200 to $7,511. 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 Round Rock inspection
Round Rock repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks 19th out of 74 recorded hail events of 1 inch or larger in Williamson County over the past 10 years, placing it solidly in the middle tier by magnitude. The largest event on record reached 4 inches on May 31, 2024. August is historically quiet — no events of this size have been recorded in this month over the past decade — making this storm an outlier for the time of year.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell. The same storm system produced 2.75-inch hail in Harris County and 1.5-inch hail in Travis County on the same date, pointing to a broader regional convective event rather than a localized pop-up storm.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows a current backlog of 2 to 4 weeks for roofing work in the Round Rock market. The city intake assessment rates storm chaser risk as moderate, and the same data notes that out-of-area contractors routinely move in after regional events to fill capacity gaps — which is precisely when pressure tactics and substandard work show up. Texas does not have a state-level roofing contractor license, so verification falls on you: confirm the contractor holds a valid local business license, carries general liability and workers' compensation insurance, and is registered with the Texas Secretary of State if they operate 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, whether a roof needs repair or full replacement depends heavily on age and pre-existing condition; a professional inspection is the only way to know. Whoever does the work must pull the permit in Round Rock — that's the contractor's responsibility — and a city inspection is required upon completion, with permit costs typically running $150 to $350. 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 before anything is disturbed — date-stamp every image.
- 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.
- 3Before signing any contract, verify the contractor's business license, liability insurance, workers' comp coverage, and state registration.
- 4Keep a written record of every contractor visit, estimate, and conversation — names, dates, and what was said.
- 5Review your homeowner's policy now to confirm your deductible type, coverage limits, and any exclusions for pre-existing wear.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Round Rock inspection
This event was detected by NOAA NEXRAD radar via the Severe Weather Data Inventory (SWDI) and is radar-confirmed, with a full NWS write-up pending.