Hensler, ND Hail Storm – July 2026

A severe hail storm tracked through Hensler, ND on July 24, 2026, producing 3.84-inch stones and a multi-zone hail track from late afternoon into the night.

What Happened

NWS alerts began at 4:16 PM CDT and continued through 10:00 PM CDT, with 19 separate notifications across the Hensler metro area. The early alerts were dual-polarization radar detections showing inch-class hail. Multiple later alerts alternated between NWS warning-only messages and radar-detected hail reports. Key radar detections included a 2.08-inch radar return at 9:01 PM CDT and a radar-plus-spotter report of 2.98-inch hail at 9:35 PM CDT.

Field observers supplied specific surface evidence that coincided with the radar timeline. At 7:45 PM CDT NWS Grand Forks relayed delayed public reports from Forbes describing roughly eight minutes of 3-inch hail and widespread broken windows. Shortly after 9:00 PM CDT, a photo sent via social media showed hail slightly larger than golf balls about 13 miles northeast of Leola. At 9:39 PM CDT photos documented 2-inch hail roughly 10 miles north of Aberdeen. A Westport COOP observer reported hail about the size of golf balls and concurrent wind damage at approximately 9:25 PM CDT. Brown County emergency management relayed reports of quarter-sized hail and visibility reduced to near zero during heavy downpours.

Damage Assessment

The surface reports and radar track indicate concentrated impact areas from Forbes through pockets northeast of Leola and north of Aberdeen. Forbes reports specify broken windows and prolonged hail accumulation during the 7:45 PM CDT period. Social-media-submitted photos north of Aberdeen and near Leola show multi-inch stones consistent with reported roof and vehicle denting in those vicinities. The Westport COOP observer documented both hail and wind effects at about 9:25 PM CDT, and Brown County records place quarter-size hail and severe rain at the intersection of 118th Street and 387th Avenue.

Observed damage types tied to this storm include shattered or cracked glazing in Forbes, dented vehicle panels near Aberdeen, and localized shingle impact on residential roofs where observers photographed larger stones. Wind-related damage reported with the Westport observation suggests roof-edge and soffit pulls at that location in addition to hail hits. Times and photos were provided alongside the local storm reports and were used to match radar-indicated swaths with ground impact points.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize Forbes for immediate exterior glass assessment. Inspect all ground-level and second-story windows for breaks and framing failures reported at 7:45 PM CDT. Bring replacement glass options and secure boarding materials for uncontrolled openings. Photograph every opening with scale and capture the NWS time reference when available.

Deploy roofing teams to the north-of-Aberdeen and northeast-of-Leola corridors next. Expect concentrated shingle impact and metal panel denting where observers submitted 2-inch-plus photos. When inspecting, look for granule loss, split or open seams, and clustered impact patterns indicative of large stones. Use temporary covers and hardware-grade tarps for any roofs with open decking.