Richland Springs, TX Hail Storm – May 2025

What Happened

A severe hail storm moved through Richland Springs, TX, on May 28, 2025, with verified hail up to 3 inches and a long run of radar and spotter-confirmed warnings through the afternoon and evening. The storm first reached severe levels at 2:36 PM CDT with 1.75-inch hail, then quickly escalated through a series of larger reports as the storm remained organized over the area.

By 2:51 PM CDT, the warning had increased to 2.75-inch hail. Similar 2.75-inch reports followed at 3:13 PM CDT, 3:40 PM CDT, 3:53 PM CDT, and 4:18 PM CDT, with a brief 2.5-inch report at 3:55 PM CDT. Dual-polarization radar later supported hail detections at 4:26 PM CDT and 4:27 PM CDT, including 2.75-inch and 1.25-inch estimates. Another radar and spotter-confirmed 2.75-inch report came in at 5:04 PM CDT.

The storm peaked again in the late afternoon. At 5:41 PM CDT, 3-inch hail was reported by radar and spotter verification, followed by additional 3-inch reports at 5:55 PM CDT and 6:26 PM CDT. Later alerts held near severe limits, with 2.75-inch hail at 6:39 PM CDT, 2.5-inch hail at 7:09 PM CDT, 2.75-inch hail at 7:27 PM CDT, and 2.5-inch hail at 8:27 PM CDT.

A spotter report at 7:15 PM CDT documented 3.04 inches of rainfall over 45 minutes, with 2.96 inches falling in 30 minutes. That report placed intense hail activity inside a broader period of heavy precipitation and repeated warning issuance.

Damage Assessment

Field reports point to concentrated hail impacts rather than a single brief burst. The 7:15 PM CDT spotter observation of 3.04 inches of rain over 45 minutes suggests prolonged storm exposure in the Richland Springs area, with hail falling repeatedly enough to keep warning confidence elevated for several hours.

The repeated 2.75-inch and 3-inch confirmations indicate a corridor of large hail through the afternoon into early evening. In practical terms, that pattern is consistent with roof, siding, gutter, and vehicle exposure across the warning area, especially where stones fell in successive waves rather than one isolated pass. The size swings between 1.25 inches and 3 inches also show an uneven hail footprint, with some locations likely taking a heavier hit than others.

For insured properties, the first checks should focus on soft metals, roof penetrations, and horizontal surfaces. Metal vents, downspouts, AC fins, and vehicle glass are the most obvious inspection points after a storm of this duration. Asphalt shingle loss may not be uniform. Hail often leaves impact marks that are easier to find on ridge caps, roof accessories, and north- or west-facing elevations after a storm with repeated large-stone reports.

Ground observations matter here. A verified 3.04-inch rainfall total alongside 3-inch hail reports supports a storm that delivered both impact and water load. That combination can leave screened enclosures, window seals, and exterior trim with damage that is not obvious from street level.