Gettysburg, SD Hail Storm – September 2025

Gettysburg, SD was hit by a concluded hail storm on 2025-09-13 with peak hail verified at 1.25 inches. Two alert periods were mapped through the early morning hours.

What Happened

The storm produced two NWS alert areas over Gettysburg, first at 3:55 AM CDT and again at 4:33 AM CDT. Both alerts carried 1.25-inch hail confidence from dual-polarization radar.

The sequence points to a repeated hail core crossing the same general area before sunrise. The alert spacing was 38 minutes. The hail threat remained the same across both updates, with no change in the verified peak size.

This was a multi-zone aggregate report for Gettysburg, SD, on September 13, 2025. The event is concluded.

Damage Assessment

Hail at 1.25 inches is large enough to leave visible impacts on roofs, gutters, siding, window screens, soft metals, and exterior trim. Asphalt shingles can show bruising or granule loss, especially on older roofs or slopes with direct exposure.

Vehicle damage is also a common field finding at this size. Dents may be concentrated on hoods, roofs, mirrors, and tailgates. Soft metals such as downspouts, flashing, and roof vents often show the clearest marks first.

On commercial properties, the most common inspection targets are membrane roofs, skylights, HVAC fins, and exposed rooftop components. Damage may be uneven across the site. The heaviest hits often follow the storm path rather than the full alert area.

Initial walkdowns should focus on the side of the structure facing the incoming hail core, then expand to secondary surfaces. Crews should document roof slope, impact marks, and any cracked or displaced components before cleanup begins.

What Contractors Should Know

Field teams should start with a roof-to-ground sequence. Check the highest exposure surfaces first, then move to gutters, downspouts, siding, and nearby vehicles. Photograph each elevation separately. Record the date, time, and visible impact size where possible. For multi-building sites, split findings by address or structure. A single alert area can cover a wider footprint than the hail hits themselves.

Expect mixed severity inside the same neighborhood. One block may show only cosmetic marks while another has heavier roof loss or soft-metal deformation. Prioritize steep slopes, ridge lines, vents, skylights, and any roof with prior aging or repair history. On retail and light industrial sites, include condensers, louvers, exhaust housings, and translucent panels in the first pass.

If access is limited, capture high-resolution perimeter photos and note observable debris, denting, or staining around downspouts and foundation lines. Keep the inspection path consistent across properties so later comparisons are clean. That makes it easier to separate isolated hail impacts from pre-existing wear.