Ping pong-sized hail detected near San Antonio, TX on August 28, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the San Antonio 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 was located approximately 16 miles west of downtown San Antonio, with 1 hail report logged in Bexar County that day. At 1.5 inches, architectural asphalt shingles typically sustain cosmetic damage — granule loss and bruising — rather than the functional punctures or cracking that compromise waterproofing. Shingles already past 15 years, or 3-tab and wood shake materials found in older parts of the city, face a higher risk of crossing from cosmetic to functional damage at this size. Harris County recorded 2.75-inch hail the same day, so this event was not the most severe in the regional system.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, the out-of-pocket threshold is $7,000 before insurance contributes. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 sq ft roof after a 1.5-inch event runs $5,723, with a range of $4,682 to $6,763. 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 San Antonio inspection
San Antonio repair cost reference
Historical context
Among 357 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in Bexar County over the past 10 years, this event ranks 150th by magnitude — solidly mid-range. The largest event on record for the county reached 5.5 inches on May 4, 2021. August is historically quiet for hail here; the county has logged zero August events of 1 inch or more in a decade, making this storm an outlier relative to the seasonal pattern.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell — the same system produced 2-inch hail in Williamson County, 1.5-inch hail in Travis County, and 2.75-inch hail in Harris County on the same date, indicating a broad multi-county storm track across Texas.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 4 to 8 weeks, so scheduling an inspection sooner rather than later is practical. The city intake assessment rates storm chaser risk as high — San Antonio draws out-of-state roofing crews after significant events, and door-to-door solicitation can begin within 24 to 48 hours. Texas does not issue a state-level roofing contractor license, so verify a valid local business license, general liability, workers' comp, and Secretary of State registration if the company operates as an LLC or corporation. Also confirm the contract includes the bold 12-point deductible notice required under Texas Insurance Code § 707.002 — any contractor offering to waive or absorb your deductible is breaking the law.
Permits & building code
At 1.5 inches, repair rather than full replacement is the more common outcome on roofs in good condition, though older or compromised roofs may reach replacement thresholds. Permits in San Antonio are pulled by the contractor, run $150 to $400, and require a post-completion inspection. 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 — 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.
- 3Vet any contractor before signing: confirm local business license, liability insurance, workers' comp, and state registration.
- 4Keep all written estimates, contracts, and correspondence in one file — you may need this documentation later.
- 5Report any door-to-door contractor offering to waive your deductible to the Texas Department of Insurance at tdi.texas.gov.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free San Antonio inspection
Hail detection for this event is based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data via SWDI and is radar-confirmed, with a full NWS storm survey write-up still pending.