Beatrice, AL Hail Storm – May 2025

Beatrice, AL saw a concluded hail storm on 2025-05-17 with a peak confirmed hail size of 1.5 inches. Two NWS alerts tracked the storm through the evening.

What Happened

The first alert came at 5:39 PM CDT with dual-polarization radar support for 1.5-inch hail. A second alert followed at 6:11 PM CDT with radar confidence for 1.25-inch hail. The storm moved through the Beatrice metro area during the late afternoon and early evening.

Both alerts pointed to hail capable of causing localized roof, siding, and vehicle impacts in the warning area. The storm remained tied to the same general hail-producing complex through the alert sequence, with the confirmed peak size holding at 1.5 inches.

The event is concluded.

Damage Assessment

Hail in the 1.25-inch to 1.5-inch range can produce scattered property damage, especially on older roofs and soft exterior materials. Asphalt shingles may show bruising, granule loss, and broken tabs. Metal roofs can show dents. Vinyl siding, gutters, window screens, and trim are also common impact points.

Vehicles parked outside during the hail core can show dents on hoods, roofs, and trunk lids. Greenhouses, skylights, and lightweight covers are also vulnerable. The two-alert sequence suggests more than one hail core crossed the warning area, with the stronger signal arriving first.

For insurance-driven work, this kind of event usually supports a roof-by-roof and elevation-by-elevation inspection approach. Street-level damage can vary sharply across short distances.

What Contractors Should Know

Start with the homes and structures most exposed to the hail path during the 5:39 PM CDT alert window. Check the roof field, slopes facing the storm approach, and transition points around ridges, vents, and flashing. Look for collateral damage on gutters, downspouts, soft metals, window screens, and air-conditioning fins.

Document each property with roof material, slope count, and impact pattern. Separate confirmed hail marks from wear, blistering, or mechanical damage. If you are working a canvass, focus on the warning area first, then narrow to addresses that line up with the strongest radar-detected hail returns.

Use consistent photo sets across claims. Capture overview shots, slope shots, and close-ups of marked impacts. Note whether the roof shows granule loss, cracking, or exposed mat. On metal, record dent density and size. On siding and trim, document height and windward exposure.

Beatrice-area storms can leave mixed results block by block, so field crews should not rely on one visible hit to judge the full property. A complete inspection should include roof surfaces, attachments, perimeter metal, and any nearby vehicles or outdoor equipment exposed during the early evening window.