Old Fort, NC Hail Storm – August 2025

Old Fort, NC saw a concluded severe hail event on August 20, 2025, with a maximum confirmed hail size of 1 inch. The storm produced two NWS alert areas tied to radar-detected hail across the same metro zone.

What Happened

The first alert was issued at 3:23 PM EDT, with dual-polarization radar confidence for 1-inch hail. A second alert followed at 4:45 PM EDT with the same 1-inch hail signal. Both alerts came during the afternoon and late afternoon window as the storm tracked through the Old Fort area.

The event is concluded. The alert sequence shows repeated hail detection over the same general storm path, with no larger hail size reported in the storm record. The two alert areas point to a multi-zone hail episode rather than a single isolated burst.

Damage Assessment

Hail at 1 inch can leave visible impact across exposed surfaces. Roofing systems can show granule loss on asphalt shingles, bruising on soft metal, and strike marks on vents, caps, and flashing. Skylights, gutters, and downspouts can also carry dents or chips where the hail hit at angle.

Vehicle claims often focus on hood, roof, and trim damage. Exterior accessories, including window screens, patio covers, and vinyl siding, can show scattered impact marks. In a storm with two separate hail alerts, field crews should expect the possibility of uneven damage along the hail swath, with some blocks showing more concentrated impact than others.

Interior leaks do not follow every hail event, but roof components with prior wear can fail after hail exposure. Crews should document impact marks, test soft metals, and note any openings around roof penetrations, ridge caps, and sealant lines. The work list should stay tied to the observed hail size and the specific street-level conditions found on site.

What Contractors Should Know

Start with a roof walk and a ground-level exterior check. Look for bruised shingles, fractured tabs, dented flashing, and impact marks on roof-mounted mechanical equipment. Check the same property from multiple angles. Hail of this size often leaves a mixed pattern, with some slopes carrying clearer strike evidence than others.

Focus on the addresses that fall inside the alert area path and the nearby streets with exposed rooflines. Detached structures, carports, and accessory buildings can show damage that does not match the main residence. Photograph soft metals, window frames, and gutters before any cleanup. If the property has older roofing or prior repair patches, note that separately in the file.

Contractors working this event should keep estimates aligned with the 1-inch confirmed size. Do not overstate the field condition. Build the scope from visible impact points, component age, and any verified opening at penetrations or edges. Where hail-related concern is present but not obvious, close with a recheck once the roof is dry and daylight is steady.