Baseball-sized hail detected near Wichita Falls, TX on July 5, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Wichita Falls 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 10 miles west of downtown Wichita Falls, with one hail report logged in Wichita County that day. At 3.25 inches — baseball size — standard architectural asphalt shingles take a beating: expect fractured mat, displaced granules, and dented metal components. This is functional damage, not cosmetic. Roofs older than 10–15 years are especially vulnerable, as weathered shingles lose impact resistance well before they look worn out.
On a $350,000 home with a 2% hail deductible, your out-of-pocket threshold is $7,000 before insurance pays anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square foot roof in this market runs $5,748, with the range landing between $4,703 and $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 Wichita Falls inspection
Wichita Falls repair cost reference
Historical context
Across 227 hail events of 1 inch or larger recorded in Wichita County over the past 10 years, this event ranks second by magnitude — behind a 5.33-inch event on May 22, 2020. July is historically quiet for hail here; only 3 July events appear in the 10-year record, well below peak months. May dominates the calendar with 125 events, so a significant July strike is unusual.
Storm system
The same storm system produced 1.25-inch hail near Dallas and Taylor, Texas, and 1-inch hail near Comanche, Oklahoma — all well below the Wichita Falls magnitude, suggesting the most intense hail core was concentrated in this area.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs running 2–4 weeks, which means the inspection queue fills fast after an event like this. The intake assessment rates storm chaser risk here as moderate, consistent with what typically follows major regional hail events in Wichita Falls. Texas does not issue a state roofing contractor license, so verification falls on the homeowner — confirm a valid local business license, active liability insurance, and workers' compensation coverage before signing anything. Under Texas Insurance Code § 707.002, any contractor who offers to waive or absorb your deductible is breaking the law — and so are you if you knowingly go along with it.
Permits & building code
At 3.25 inches, full roof replacement is the more likely outcome than a spot repair, particularly on aging shingle stock. The contractor pulls the permit in Wichita Falls, permit costs run $150–$350, and an inspection is required before the work is closed out. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Texas insurers.
- 1Photograph roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior metal surfaces 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.
- 3Vet any contractor before signing: confirm local business license, liability insurance, and workers' comp — get certificates, not just verbal assurances.
- 4Keep a written record of every contractor visit, estimate, and conversation, including the date and the name of who you spoke with.
- 5If you decide to proceed with repairs, confirm the contractor will pull the required permit and that final work will be inspected before closeout.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Wichita Falls inspection
Hail size and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data via SWDI; a full NWS storm survey write-up is pending.