Davenport, NE Hail Storm – May 2026

A hail-producing thunderstorm tracked through Davenport, NE on May 15, 2026, producing 1.5-inch stones and multiple spotter-verified reports in the early evening. The event spanned late afternoon into early evening and prompted a sequence of NWS alerts and radar hail detections.

What Happened

NWS issued nine alerts for the Davenport metro between 6:41 PM CDT and 8:57 PM CDT. Several early alerts carried NWS warning-only hail estimates at 6:41 PM and 6:45 PM CDT. Dual-polarization radar detected hail echoes near 6:49 PM CDT and again around 7:03 PM CDT. A later radar-detected hail signature appeared near 8:16 PM CDT while additional NWS warning-only alerts extended coverage through 8:57 PM CDT.

Spotters provided on-the-ground detail during the event. At 8:15 PM CDT two spotter-verified reports were logged with the text "&&" at nearby locations in Davenport. At 8:28 PM CDT a spotter wrote "Hailstone compared to quarter." Multiple spotter-verified entries at 8:50 PM CDT described "Dime to Penny size hail." The sequence of reports shows larger stones concentrated in an early evening window, followed by smaller stones later as the storm evolved.

Radar and warning timing match the spotter timeline. The combined record shows repeated NWS warning-only estimates and several dual-polarization radar detections that tracked the storm through the Davenport metro area. The event concluded before 9:00 PM CDT.

Damage Assessment

Surface impact varied across the metro. Two spotter-verified reports at 8:15 PM CDT recorded larger stones near central Davenport. No Local Storm Report entry included structural collapse or widespread catastrophic damage. Field reports at 8:28 PM CDT and the cluster of entries at 8:50 PM CDT noted smaller hail across adjacent neighborhoods.

City crews and residents reported isolated vehicle denting consistent with larger stone impacts in locations corresponding to the 8:15 PM CDT reports. Multiple spotters at 8:50 PM CDT described dime-to-penny hail on lawns and sidewalks in eastern Davenport. No Local Storm Reports documented downed power poles or confirmed building envelope failure tied to this event.

Roofers and inspectors operating inside Davenport should expect a mixed damage pattern. Areas nearest the early-evening spotter reports show the highest likelihood of enamel and paint damage to vehicles and isolated shingle bruising. Later swath reports indicate predominantly cosmetic impacts to vegetation and exterior trim in outlying neighborhoods.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize inspections for properties located along the storm track indicated by the early-evening spotter reports. Begin with homes and vehicles in central Davenport where larger stones were observed around 8:15 PM CDT. Photograph all damage with timestamps and capture pre-existing wear for every roof and vehicle inspection.