Clayton, GA Hail Storm – June 2025

What Happened

A hail-producing storm moved through Clayton, GA on June 27, 2025, with verified 1-inch hail and multiple spotter reports through the afternoon and evening. The sequence included alerts at 3:36 PM EDT, 6:49 PM EDT, and 10:04 PM EDT, with the last alert carrying radar and spotter verification.

Field reports showed the storm arriving with enough force to drop small branches around 3:40 PM EDT, then producing another round of hail and wind impacts later in the day. A spotter in the final phase reported nickel-size hail at 10:10 PM EDT on Highway 268 near the Yadkin River, matching the late-evening alert window and the broader radar signal.

The storm did not stay confined to one short burst. It held together across several hours, with repeated hail potential in the warning area and a late-evening report that confirmed the storm remained organized after sunset. The radar and ground reports lined up on a narrow band of hail-producing cells rather than a single isolated burst.

Damage Assessment

The field reports point to scattered but real surface impact. One report around 3:40 PM EDT noted small branches downed. Another at 6:53 PM EDT included a social media image of large pine limbs snapped in the Fort Mill area. The late-evening report on Highway 268 near the Yadkin River placed nickel-size hail in the path of the storm after dark.

This was not a widespread debris field. The reports were localized and tied to specific roads and neighborhoods, with trees and limbs taking the clearest visible impact. The hail reports also came from multiple times of day, which suggests the storm maintained enough structure to produce repeat hail after the first round of damage.

For property teams, the practical takeaway is to inspect the usual high-exposure items first. Check gutters, soft metals, roof edges, ridge caps, vents, and exposed HVAC fins. Review tree coverage around homes and commercial sites where large limbs were already reported down. In wooded sections, look for fresh impacts on fences, siding, and vehicle storage areas under the canopy.

The report set also shows why location detail matters. Highway-facing properties and sites near the reported tree damage should get a closer look than properties farther from the storm path. The combination of hail reports and limb damage makes targeted inspection more useful than broad assumptions based on countywide weather alone.

What Contractors Should Know

Clayton-area work from this event should focus on narrow corridors with tree cover, road frontage, and older roof systems that can show impact marks even when the hail size stays near 1 inch. Prioritize shingles, flashing, window screens, and paint surfaces in the reported storm path. Check for collateral damage where branches struck roofs, gutters, and downspouts. In places with dense pines, inspect for snapped limbs and punctures on lower roof slopes and attached structures.