Sarita, TX Hail Storm – May 2026

Sarita, TX – May 24, 2026. A short-lived severe thunderstorm produced peak hail of 1.34 inches in the late afternoon and generated four NWS warnings across the warning area. The storm has concluded.

What Happened

The event unfolded during late afternoon into early evening on May 24. NWS warnings were issued at 2:34 PM CDT, 3:45 PM CDT, 4:26 PM CDT, and 4:42 PM CDT for Sarita and nearby locations. The first three warnings listed 1-inch hail and were issued as NWS warning only. The final warning listed 1.25-inch hail and was also issued as NWS warning only. StormSnipe records show a maximum hail diameter of 1.34 inches within the aggregated warning area.

Radar returns indicated strong mid-level reflectivity over the warning area during the 4:00–5:00 PM CDT window. No spotter-verified hail reports were included in the NWS warning messages; the official NWS alerts were issued without spotter verification. The storm cell tracked generally northeast across the local warning area before weakening and dissipating later in the evening. The event is closed and no active warnings remain for Sarita.

Damage Assessment

Hail in this size range commonly causes cosmetic and functional damage to vulnerable surfaces. Asphalt-shingle roofing can show bruising, granule loss, and isolated shingle fracture. Vehicle panels and painted metal surfaces are likely to incur dents and paint chipping where exposure was concentrated. Unglazed skylights, soft-metal gutters, and vinyl siding are prone to cracking or puncture when struck repeatedly.

Landscape and agricultural impacts are most notable for young or tender crops. Fruit, vegetable foliage, and recently emerged cotton are at elevated risk of foliar shredding and yield reduction in exposed rows. Structural glazing and large glass panels are less likely to fail outright at this size but can sustain impact marks and require inspection for hairline fractures.

What Contractors Should Know

Roofing contractors should prioritize visual inspection and photographic documentation. Start with a walkaround that notes granule loss, impact pattern, and any shingle lift or fracture. Photograph all findings with date-stamped images and a clearly identifiable address or parcel marker. For residential jobs, quantify affected roof slope area and sample-count impact points to support repair estimates.

Auto and exterior repair contractors should map dent patterns to the local warning area and note vehicle orientation at time of exposure if available. Tarping and temporary covers may be required for compromised glazing or open roof penetrations. Coordinate estimate scope with property owners and insurers; provide discrete line items for hail-related repairs, like shingle replacement versus localized patching, and include reinspection windows for settling or secondary failures.