Georgetown, SC Hail Storm – April 2026

Georgetown, South Carolina recorded a mid-morning hail event on April 30, 2026, producing stones up to 1.14 inches in diameter and triggering an NWS severe thunderstorm warning. The storm concluded later that morning.

What Happened

A single storm cell moved over Georgetown during mid-morning on April 30. The National Weather Service issued one severe thunderstorm warning at 8:23 AM EDT for 0.75-inch hail across the NWS warning area that included much of the city and immediate suburbs. Dual-polarization radar detected larger hail cores along the storm’s track, with the largest returns consistent with stones just over one inch in diameter. The event was brief and concluded within a few hours of the initial warning.

Radar returns showed the most intense hail echoes aligned northeast to southwest through central Georgetown. Local road cameras and time-stamped imagery corroborated hail fall across populated blocks near the downtown corridor and adjacent residential neighborhoods. No subsequent warnings were issued for the same cell after it exited the metro area.

Damage Assessment

Stones just over one inch fell across parts of Georgetown during the mid-morning period. In built-up areas near downtown, vehicle panels and exposed soft vinyl siding are the primary concern. Hail of this diameter can dent sheet metal and crack unprotected skylights and solar glass when exposure occurs without cover.

Roofing impacts are most likely on older asphalt shingle installations and flat membrane roofs with previous weathering. Metal roofs and modern laminated shingles show higher resistance, but localized bruising and granule loss were observed in imagery from several neighborhoods. Property owners should prioritize inspections of parked vehicles, rooftop equipment, and exposed glazing in the areas under the NWS warning area.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect vehicles and exterior cladding first. Mobile dent repair and auto body shops should expect increased demand for panel and paint repairs in central Georgetown and nearby subdivisions along the storm path. Document pre-existing conditions and capture timestamped photos tied to the April 30 event for each claim or estimate.

Assess roofing and rooftop equipment next. Start with high-exposure addresses in the original NWS warning area and the neighborhoods where radar indicated the strongest hail cores. Look for shingle bruising, granule loss, cracked skylights, and denting on HVAC housings. Prioritize temporary protection for exposed openings and provide detailed scope-of-work notes that reference on-site findings and imagery.

The Strike Map shows the precise hail track and the damage zone for this April 30 Georgetown event.