Hail Plus Wind: Why Storm Damage Hits Harder

WatchEscaping From Hail: Choose G3 as Your GC

Our hearts are with the folks in Rio Grande City, down in the Rio Grande Valley. A powerful overnight storm moved through with hail, wind and rain, and neighbors woke up to broken windows, wrecked roofs and a lot of cleanup.

It's a long way from Argyle, TX. But we're writing about it because the lesson travels. Every North Texas homeowner has seen a hailstorm, and what the weather service said about this one is worth knowing.

What Happened in Rio Grande City?

KRGV reports that the National Weather Service said the Texas Department of Public Safety reportedly saw hail up to the size of softballs. Hail and strong wind broke windows on homes and cars. A resident told the station her family had never seen a storm do this much damage in the 11 years they've lived there.

The station also reports that the roof of a food trailer park collapsed, a gas station roof crushed a pickup truck, and no deaths were reported. The city is asking residents to take photos and report damage through a survey.

Why Does Hail Plus Wind Do More Damage?

Here's the part that caught our eye. NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Barry Goldsmith told KRGV, "The size doesn't always matter as much as the combination of amount of hail and wind when it comes to damage like what we're witnessing here." The NWS was looking at straight-line winds of 65 to 70 mph.

That matches what we see on North Texas roofs. Wind turns falling hail sideways, so stones hit more than the top of the roof:

• Windows and screens. Wind-driven hail hits the sides of a house, not just the roof. Glass, screens and frames take the hit.
• Siding and trim. One side of the house can look like a different house than the other.
• Shingles. Wind can lift and crease shingles while hail bruises the mat underneath.
• Gutters, vents and flashing. Soft metal dents and tells the story of the storm's direction.

If you want the full roof checklist, read how to tell if your roof has hail damage and wind damage to shingles. For the glass side, see hail damage to windows and screens.

What Should You Do Right After a Storm?

Safety first. Stay off the roof, watch for broken glass and stay away from downed power lines.

1. Take lots of video. Walk the outside of the house, then every room. Get the roof from the ground, the windows, the screens, the gutters and the cars. Photograph hailstones next to a coin or tape measure if any are left.
2. Prevent more damage. The Texas Department of Insurance says to cover broken windows and holes to keep rain out and to save all receipts.
3. Don't throw damaged items away until you've talked with your insurance company. That's TDI's advice too.
4. Check the inside. Look at ceilings and around windows for water. A ceiling stain after rain is a sign something got through.
5. Take your time with contractors. TDI says to get more than one bid, check references and never sign a contract with blank spaces.

TDI's page on what to do after hail or windstorm damage is worth bookmarking. If hail comes through your roof and you can't reach a roofer at midnight, our guide on what to do tonight with a roof leak covers the safe steps.

Why Get the Whole House Inspected?

When hail and wind team up, damage hides. A roof can look fine from the driveway while the windows on the weather side have cracked seals, and a window can look fine while the shingles above it are creased.

That's why our roof inspection after a storm looks at the whole exterior, not just the shingles. We photograph what we find and write the scope in Xactimate, so the record is clear. Document your roof damage the same way from day one, and be careful about door-knockers after a storm. Here's how to spot a storm chaser roofer.

Watch: Escaping From Hail

The video on this page, Escaping from Hail - Choose G3 as Your GC, is a good watch before the next storm. Then walk your own house with the checklist above.

What Does This Mean for North Texas?

It's not hail season right now, and the forecast for our area looks quiet this week. But storms don't follow our calendar, and the best time to learn what to look for is before you need it. Know your roof, know your windows and know who you'll call. Here's when hail season hits North Texas.

Know Your Next Step

We're based in Argyle, TX, and we'd rather answer your questions today than rebuild your house tomorrow. Tell us what's happening, and we'll help you understand what comes next.

SCHEDULE A ROOF INSPECTION: CALL G3 AT (945) 300-9018.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep learning: see our Roofing & Storm Damage page, read Hail Damage Roof Repair in Argyle, TX, or read what homeowners say in our customer reviews.