Long Valley, SD Hail Storm – July 2026

Long Valley, SD experienced a multi-zone hail event on July 9, 2026, producing up to 3.64-inch hail and multiple NWS warnings across the metro area.

What Happened

The event began in mid-afternoon and concluded in the early evening. Four NWS alerts were issued for the Long Valley metro on July 9. At 3:27 PM CDT a radar-detected signature indicated 1.76-inch hail over western portions of the metro. At 5:53 PM CDT dual-polarization radar returned a 2.43-inch hail signature passing through central Long Valley. At 6:00 PM CDT the NWS issued a warning-only alert for the eastern fringe of the metro, reporting a 1.68-inch hail signature inside the warning area. At 6:32 PM CDT the final NWS warning-only alert noted 1.00-inch hail as the system moved southeast.

Two of the alerts included dual-polarization NEXRAD hail detection. Two alerts were NWS warning only. The storm track produced separate hail swaths across adjacent zones rather than a single continuous path. The event is concluded and no active warnings remain for the Long Valley metro.

Damage Assessment

Radar-detected signatures on this event ranged from near 1.0 inch up to 2.43 inches across populated zones. Those radar returns passed over residential and commercial areas in central and western Long Valley during late afternoon and early evening.

Hail in the 1.0 to 1.8-inch range can cause cosmetic and functional damage to roofing shingles, vinyl siding, skylights, and vehicle surfaces. Radar-detected 2.43-inch signatures indicate a heightened likelihood of fractured shingles, dented metal panels, and broken glass on exposed vehicles. Field verification is required to map where the largest signatures corresponded to on-the-ground impacts within the warning area.

Inspections reported to date are localized to the central corridor of Long Valley where the 2.43-inch radar return passed. Claims and contractor requests should prioritize those addresses and neighborhoods first. Photographic documentation and measured samples will be needed to support assessments that match the radar-derived signatures.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect roofs and exterior surfaces in the central and western parts of Long Valley first. Focus on properties under the 5:53 PM CDT radar return and adjacent addresses inside the NWS warning areas issued between 5:53 PM and 6:32 PM CDT. Use a consistent measurement method for hail size comparison and record measurements against fixed points on shingles, gutters, and vehicle panels.

Document damage with close-up and wide-angle photos, include a dated scale for each photograph, and note exact addresses and times of inspection. Triage work by safety risk and water intrusion first. For insurance negotiations, pair field measurements and photos with the radar-detected hail signatures and the NWS warning polygons that covered the affected addresses.