Baseball-sized hail detected near Cheyenne, WY on August 12, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Cheyenne 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 center landed approximately 6 miles southeast of downtown Cheyenne, with one hail report logged in Laramie County that day. At 3 inches, hail this size causes functional damage to architectural asphalt shingles — not just cosmetic bruising. Granule loss, cracked tabs, and compromised underlayment are likely on any roof over 10 years old; newer roofs may show less severe functional loss but are not exempt. Cheyenne's largest recorded event reached 4.25 inches on May 26, 2019, so this storm ranks among the county's most severe, though it did not exceed that benchmark.
On a $360,800 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, you're looking at $7,216 out of pocket before insurance pays anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square foot roof runs $5,664, with a range of $4,634 to $6,693. 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 Cheyenne inspection
Cheyenne repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks 5th out of 291 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in Laramie County over the past decade — placing it near the top of the magnitude distribution. The county's largest recorded event was 4.25 inches on May 26, 2019. August is historically active here, with 60 events in ten years, though July is the peak month at 125 events.
Storm system
No other counties logged tracked hail events on August 12, 2026. This appears to be an isolated cell rather than part of a broader regional outbreak.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 4 to 8 weeks, which is typical after a significant event in this market. The storm chaser risk is rated high for Cheyenne — out-of-state roofing crews commonly arrive door-to-door within 24 to 48 hours of major storms here. Wyoming does not require a state roofing contractor license, so licensing requirements are set locally; verify what Cheyenne and Laramie County require directly before hiring. Ask every contractor for proof of general liability, workers' compensation, and any industry certifications before signing anything.
Permits & building code
At 3 inches, full roof replacement is more likely than spot repair on most residential shingle systems, which means permits will be required. In Cheyenne, the contractor pulls the permit — expect a cost of $150 to $400 — and an inspection is required upon completion. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10 to 30% discount with most Wyoming insurers.
- 1Document all visible roof damage with dated photographs before any work begins.
- 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 any contractor's general liability insurance, workers' compensation coverage, and local licensing status directly with Cheyenne or Laramie County before signing a contract.
- 4Keep copies of all inspection reports, contractor bids, and correspondence in a single folder in case you need them later.
- 5If any contractor offers to waive your deductible, contact the Wyoming Department of Insurance before proceeding — such offers can implicate insurance fraud under Wyoming law.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Cheyenne inspection
Hail size and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data (SWDI) and are radar-confirmed; a full NWS written report is pending.