Hail damage roof Chicago, IL

Chicago doesn’t usually top anyone’s list of hail cities. 2026 was different. On March 10, storms dropped hail larger than softballs south of the city and up to 4.8 inches in the southwest suburbs. Then on July 27, supercells crossed DuPage and Cook counties with 2- to 3-inch hail, tornadoes, and 80-100+ mph straight-line winds.

If your home is in the western or southern suburbs, your roof may have taken hits from one or both storms. Here’s what was reported, where, and what to do next.

2026 hail near Chicago at a glance

Storm reports are point observations from spotters, the public, and NWS staff. Hail varies block to block, so a report nearby doesn’t mean your roof was damaged, and no report doesn’t mean it wasn’t.

March 10: giant hail south and west of the city

NWS Chicago described two main corridors of large hail on March 10: one from northern Will County into the city of Chicago, with hail up to 4.8 inches, and another farther south through Livingston and Kankakee counties.

In southeast DuPage County, NOAA’s Storm Events Database records numerous reports around Woodridge and Darien ranging from 1 to 4 inches, “though most of the reports were greater than 2.5 inches,” and a 4.8-inch stone in Darien. Reports of 1 to 3 inches came from Bolingbrook, and 1 to 2 inches from La Grange and Brookfield.

South of the metro, a hailstone found near Kankakee measured 6.6 inches and weighed 19.65 ounces. NOAA’s State Climate Extremes Committee confirmed it as the new Illinois record, beating the previous 4.75-inch record from 2015. The committee’s report counted at least 126 severe hail reports that day, more than 30 of them over 3 inches. Around Bourbonnais, Bradley, and Kankakee, NOAA notes that “numerous houses sustained window, roofing, and siding damage.”

July 27: hail and destructive wind in the same storms

On July 27, NWS Chicago reported intense supercells with hail up to 3 inches, seven confirmed tornadoes, and straight-line winds of 80 to 105 mph in parts of southern Cook and eastern Will counties. A 104 mph gust was measured at Bult Field near Monee.

Hail of 1.75 to 2.5 inches was reported across Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Westmont, Oak Brook, and Hinsdale between about 11:55 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. One Downers Grove report noted hail falling for about 15 minutes, and a Hinsdale report noted hail damage to vehicles. Later that afternoon, a trained spotter photographed a hailstone at least 3 inches across near Four Seasons Park in Shorewood.

One NWS report from Frankfort Square captures a real-world claims problem: several homes had siding, roof, and trim damage, and it was “unclear how much of this house damage was caused by wind-driven hail vs. just straight-line winds.”

What this means for Chicago-area roofs

You may have two dates of loss. If you’re in southeast DuPage or southwest Cook, your roof could have been hit on March 10 and again on July 27. Insurers generally treat separate storms as separate claims, often with separate deductibles. Note which damage you saw after which storm.

Wind and hail damage can overlap. Missing or creased shingles point to wind; scattered bruises and dented vents point to hail. Many policies cover both under the same wind/hail coverage, but your adjuster will still want to understand what caused what. Photos taken soon after each storm help.

Damage isn’t always visible from the ground. Hail bruises crack the shingle mat underneath without obvious marks. If you saw dented gutters, AC fins, or screens, get the roof itself checked by a licensed roofer.

Don’t let March damage linger. Policies typically require prompt notice. If you noticed damage after March 10 and haven’t reported it, talk with your insurer soon.

Illinois rules worth knowing

These are verified from state statutes. They’re general information, not legal advice.

• Roofers must be state-licensed. Illinois requires a roofing contractor license from the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (225 ILCS 335/9). The license name and number must appear on contracts, bids, and advertising, and a municipality that requires a building permit can’t issue one without proof of state licensure (225 ILCS 335/5). Check a license with IDFPR’s lookup.
• No deductible “deals.” Contractors may not advertise or promise to pay or rebate any part of your insurance deductible (815 ILCS 513/18).
• Contractors can’t run your claim. Under the same section, a contractor may not represent you on an insurance claim or file a claim on your behalf, and may not climb your roof to inspect without your express permission. They can give you an estimate to submit and talk with the adjuster about the damage.
• You may be able to cancel after a denial. If your contract will be paid by insurance and the insurer notifies you in writing that all or part of the claim isn’t covered, Illinois gives you a cancellation window (the earlier of five business days after that notice or 30 business days after the insurer receives your proof of loss).
• Permits are set by your municipality. Ask your village or city building department what a re-roof requires.

What to do this week

1. Write down your storm date(s) and save the NWS reports linked below for your area.
2. Photograph collateral damage from the ground: gutters, downspouts, AC fins, screens, siding, vehicles.
3. Pull your policy’s declarations page. Find your wind/hail deductible and whether your roof is covered at replacement cost or actual cash value. Our deductibles guide explains the math.
4. Get an inspection from an IDFPR-licensed roofer. Ask to see the license number. Don’t sign a contract on the first visit.
5. File promptly if damage is real. Our step-by-step claim guide walks you through it.
6. Compare written quotes. Post your job to get competing bids, and check any quote you receive.

What will it cost?

Prices vary with roof size, pitch, material, tear-off, and local labor, and they move after big storms. We won’t guess at a Chicago number here. For a starting point, use our free roof cost estimator and see how Illinois compares in our roof replacement cost by state guide. If you have an adjuster’s estimate, our guide to reading it line by line helps you compare it with a roofer’s quote.

FAQ

Was my Chicago-area neighborhood hit by hail in 2026?

NWS and NOAA records show large hail in southeast DuPage County (Darien, Woodridge), Bolingbrook, and La Grange on March 10, Berwyn on March 30, and in Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Westmont, Oak Brook, Hinsdale, and parts of Will County on July 27. Hail varies street by street, so check the linked reports and have your roof inspected if you see damage around the house.

Is it too late to file a claim for the March 10 hail?

It depends on your policy’s notice requirements. Many require prompt notice, and some set a specific window. Contact your insurer or agent as soon as you can and ask.

Do roofers in Illinois need a license?

Yes. Illinois requires roofing contractors to be licensed by IDFPR, and the license number must appear on contracts and bids. You can verify a license online.

Can an Illinois roofer file my insurance claim for me?

No. Illinois law bars home repair contractors from filing a claim on your behalf or representing you on the claim. They can provide an estimate and discuss the damage with your adjuster.

Sources

• NWS Chicago, “March 10, 2026: Several Tornadoes in the Kankakee River Valley and Record Large Hail”: https://www.weather.gov/lot/2026_03_10_Severe_Weather
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Extremes Committee, Illinois hailstone report: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/monitoring-content/extremes/scec/reports/20260901-Illinois-Hailstone.pdf
• NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (event IDs 1318853 Darien, 1318852 Woodridge/Darien, 1318851 Bolingbrook, 1318856 La Grange, 1318838 Bourbonnais, 1317011 Berwyn): https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/
• NWS Chicago, “July 27, 2026: Intense Severe Storms...” (includes preliminary local storm report summary): https://www.weather.gov/lot/2026_07_27_severe_flood
• NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center daily reports: https://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/260310_rpts.html , https://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/reports/260727_rpts.html
• Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act, 225 ILCS 335/5 and 335/9; Home Repair and Remodeling Act, 815 ILCS 513/18 (links above)