Dryden, TX Hail Storm – April 2026

Dryden, TX experienced a concluded hail event on April 28, 2026, with a peak radar-verified hail diameter of 2.65 inches in the early evening. The system triggered multiple NWS alerts and produced a concentrated hail swath through the metro.

What Happened

The storm developed into a multi-cell complex in the late afternoon and produced consecutive NWS alerts in early evening. At 6:06 PM CDT a dual-polarization NEXRAD algorithm flagged 2.07-inch hail on radar. At 6:41 PM CDT the radar detected a larger core at 2.34 inches. A final NWS severe thunderstorm warning at 6:46 PM CDT cited 1.50-inch hail under warning-only criteria.

All alerts occurred within a 40-minute window on April 28. Radar detection drove the first two alerts. The 6:46 PM alert was issued on warning observations without an independent radar hail flag. Storm status is concluded.

Damage Assessment

Hail size in this event ranged from roughly 1.5 inches up to 2.65 inches at the peak. Hail of 1.5 inches commonly produces dents to vehicle sheet metal, damage to vinyl and aluminum siding, and fractured skylights or greenhouse glazing. Impacts to soft metals and painted finishes are likely.

Hail at or above 2.0 inches increases the likelihood of broken roof shingles, cracked solar panels, and shattered window glass on exposed facades. The reported 2.65-inch peak diameter falls into a range that can puncture single-layer roofing systems and produce concentrated roof damage along the hail path. Expect isolated full-panel damage on rooftop membranes and concentrated impact clusters on vehicle fleets parked in the swath.

Documented damage patterns for this event should focus on vehicle lot exposures, south- and west-facing roofs, and any unshielded glazing. Photograph representative samples with a scale, note compass orientation, and record timestamps on site photos for claims and triage prioritization.

What Contractors Should Know

Conduct a prioritized safety assessment before accessing roofs. Walk only where a structural assessment indicates safe load distribution. Start with a visual survey from the ground and via binoculars to identify broken skylights, displaced shingles, and large concentration spots. For rooftop inspections, use roof ladders and fall protection. Tarp only areas with active water intrusion risk. For suspected membrane punctures, mark locations and measure hole diameters before temporary repairs.

Estimate material loss using measured hail diameters at impact clusters. For 2-inch-plus impacts, plan for full shingle replacement in concentrated clusters rather than spot patching. Inspect solar arrays and HVAC fins for point-impact breaks and document serial numbers and orientation. Capture GPS-referenced photos of representative units and upload field notes to project folders within 48 hours to support insurance submissions.