As severe weather season ramps up across much of the United States, especially in Texas, hailstorms are once again becoming a major concern for property owners, businesses, and public institutions. Despite often lasting only a few minutes, hailstorms are responsible for billions of dollars in damage each year, making them one of the most costly and underestimated weather hazards. According to the Insurance Information Institute, in 2025 Texas lead all states with over 900 major hail events (hailstones one inch in diameter or larger).
Hail forms inside strong thunderstorms when updrafts, powerful upward currents of air, carry raindrops high into the atmosphere, where temperatures are below freezing. These droplets freeze into ice and continue to grow as they collide with additional moisture. Eventually, the hailstones become too heavy for the updraft to support and fall to the ground. Hail can range in size from small pellets to golf ball-sized or larger, with some extreme events producing hail over 4 inches in diameter. The current official record for the largest hailstone is 6.4 inches in diameter, recorded in Hondo, Texas, on April 28, 2021.
Hail is a major driver of property damage because of its frequency, intensity, and ability to impact large areas quickly. Severe convective storms (which include hail) are the leading cause of insured losses in the U.S. In 2025, insured losses due to severe convective storms reached $61 billion. Damage often occurs in clusters, affecting entire neighborhoods or commercial districts at once and unlike hurricanes or floods, hailstorms can strike with little warning and leave behind damage that isn’t always immediately visible.
Hail can impact nearly every part of a building, from roofing systems to HVAC systems to windows and exterior features. Below are some tips to protect your property and try and reduce hail damage:
- Schedule regular roof inspections, especially before storm season
- Repair weak areas like flashing, seams, and penetrations
- Consider impact-resistant materials when replacing roofs
- Install hail guards on HVAC units
- Secure loose components and panels
- Inspect equipment regularly for vulnerabilities
- Clear gutters and roof drains
- Ensure water flows away from the building properly
- Prevent standing water after storms
Hailstorms may be unpredictable, but your response to them does not have to be. Preparing today is the most effective way to ensure resilience when the next storm arrives. Until next time my friends, be prepared and stay safe.
Reference: Insurance Information Institute, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Weather Service
