Golf ball-sized hail detected near Tyler, TX on September 21, 2026

Damage assessment

The radar-confirmed strike landed approximately 14 miles north of downtown Tyler, with one hail report logged in Smith County that day. At 2.25 inches, architectural asphalt shingles face a real risk of functional damage — granule loss, cracked tabs, and bruising that compromises the mat. Roofs under ten years old may escape with cosmetic hits; aging shingles are more likely to show through-damage that affects waterproofing. Smith County's all-time record stands at 3.5 inches from June 14, 2023, so this event falls well below the county's worst.

Tyler repair cost reference

Historical context

Over the past ten years, Smith County has recorded 169 hail events at or above one inch, and this event ranks tenth by magnitude — a top-tier storm for this county. The largest recorded event reached 3.5 inches on June 14, 2023. September is historically quiet here; only one comparable event has occurred in this month over the past decade, making this storm an outlier.

Storm system

The same system produced hail in Tarrant, McLennan, and Harris counties on the same day, ranging from one to 1.5 inches — suggesting a broad convective event across central and east Texas, with Tyler's 2.25-inch report standing as the largest of the day among neighboring counties.

Contractor guidance

Local contractor data shows current backlogs of one to two weeks, which is manageable but worth acting on before demand builds. The storm chaser risk is assessed as low for this market, though most post-storm capacity comes from contractors based in larger Texas metros rather than local crews. Texas has no state-level roofing contractor license requirement, so verification falls on the homeowner. Before signing anything, confirm the contractor holds a local business license, carries general liability and workers' comp, and — for any job over $1,000 tied to an insurance settlement — has included the required bold 12-point deductible notice per Texas Insurance Code § 707.002.

Permits & building code

At 2.25 inches, repair is possible if damage is localized, but full replacement is common once inspectors confirm widespread functional hits to older shingles. In Tyler, the contractor pulls the permit — expect a permit cost between $100 and $250, and an inspection is required before work is closed out. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Texas insurers.