FOX Weather Explained: Hail
The FOX Prediction Center explains how hail forms during severe thunderstorms.
With the arrival of spring comes the season of severe storms, and large hail is likely to occur during thunderstorms.
“Hail can break windows and roofs, trap rainwater, cause blockages, and cause flooding that can injure or even kill people and animals,” Roof Nome, a home-service site, said in a statement. There is a possibility that it will.” “It can also damage solar panels, gutters, air conditioning systems, and other expensive home elements. Just repairing your roof after a hailstorm can cost hundreds of dollars. . tThousands of dollars. ”
7 things to know about hail
File: A massive hailstorm ripped through Louisville, Colorado in June 2018, hitting cars. (Helen H. Richardson/Denver Post/Getty Images)
To find out which areas across the country are most at risk, Roof Nome ranked more than 600 counties with moderate to very high hail risk as determined by FEMA. Analysts then took into account items such as the average age of homes in the county, the expected economic loss from hail, and the number of homes with solar panels or garages.
More than 80% of homebuyers factor extreme weather and climate risks into their decision-making, research finds
We also looked at things like average monthly Google searches for “hail insurance” and “hail damage” over the past 12 months, and the state's average home insurance premium.
Dallas County, Texas, ranks first among more than 600 most at-risk counties in the United States, according to Roof Noem.
Denver, St. Louis, New Orleans, Oklahoma City and Omaha all made the top 20 list. The most vulnerable states are Texas with 51 counties with a “most vulnerable” score, Nebraska with 52 counties, and Kansas with 34 counties.
“Seventeen Nebraska counties are ranked among the 50 counties with the oldest homes, with an average age of over 65 years,” commented Roof Nome Editor-in-Chief Jeff Herman. “The Cornhusker State has the highest home insurance premiums at $2,782, thanks to expensive weather events like hail and windstorms.”
Roof gnomes refer to the central United States, from Wyoming to Texas, as “Hail Alley.” This region has historically seen the most hail.
Which states are at the highest risk of hail damage during a given season? Hint: It's not Tornado Alley
On the left is the total 10-year hail reports from 1955 to 2002, and on the right is only hail reports larger than 2 inches in diameter. (NOAA)
“Golf Ball Size” Hail Size and Other Hail Measurements
Heavy hail is also possible in tornado-prone areas. Illinois has 16 counties with a “danger” score, comparable to Oklahoma, while Colorado has 14.
NOAA's annual severe weather report tallied about 7,000 hail reports for 2023. State Farm estimates that the agency alone paid out more than $3.5 billion in hail claims in 2022. Approximately $2.9 billion in homeowner's insurance claims and $600 million in auto insurance claims were paid out.
The national average cost to repair a hail damage roof is $11,750. Golf ball-sized hail caused up to $35,000 in damage in some areas. Repairs typically cost about $1 to $7 per square foot, according to Roof Gnome.
Spectacular hail can cause severe damage to roofs
A research meteorologist with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety joined FOX Weather on Wednesday to discuss what he called the “epic hail” that recently hit the heart of the country. He told me how big a hailstorm would have to be for the roof to be damaged.
According to Energy.gov, serious damage to solar panels can begin with hail the size of a golf ball.
Colorado's deadliest hailstorm caused $2.3 billion in damage
“Four Colorado counties—Arapahoe (2nd), Denver (4th), Jefferson (9th), and Boulder (341st)—have the most solar power despite high hail risk.” We ranked among the top 10 counties with facilities,” Herman said. .
