Brooksville, MS Hail Storm – August 2026

Brooksville, MS — August 19, 2026. A multi-zone thunderstorm moved through the area in late afternoon and early evening, producing significant hail and prompting a series of National Weather Service alerts.

What Happened

The storm produced repeated NWS alerts across a broad warning area between mid-afternoon and early evening. The first alert issued at 3:12 PM CDT and the final NWS warning-only alert issued at 7:13 PM CDT. In total, 13 NWS alerts were issued for the event. Dual-polarization radar detected elevated hail signatures at several points during the storm. Radar-derived hail estimates included 1.45 inches at 4:15 PM CDT, 1.41 inches at 5:01 PM CDT, and 1.69 inches at 5:10 PM CDT. Ten other alerts in the sequence were classified as NWS warning only for 1-inch hail and covered the warning area as the storm evolved.

The event registered as a concluded, multi-zone aggregate storm across the Brooksville metro footprint. Radar returns peaked in the late afternoon to early evening period as the system tracked through populated corridors inside the warning area.

Damage Assessment

Measured hail sizes during the event ranged from frequent 1-inch hail reports up to radar-detected pockets exceeding 1.4 inches. Hail at and above roughly 1 inch commonly produces cosmetic damage to vehicle paint and causes denting to aluminum and thin metal. Hail greater than 1.25 inches increases the risk of denting on vehicle panels, denting and cracking of vinyl siding, and bruising or loss of roof granules on asphalt shingles.

Hail approaching and exceeding 1.5 inches can cause localized shingle fracture, punctures to skylights, and more pronounced damage to unprotected solar arrays and exposed HVAC units. Given the radar detections near 1.4–1.7 inches during the peak pulse, expect concentrated roof and vehicle damage in the portions of the warning area that received the strongest returns.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize initial field triage to the sectors inside the warning area that correspond to the strongest radar returns between 4:15 PM and 5:10 PM CDT. Start with photo-documented inspections of roofing shingles, gutters, siding, skylights, solar panels, and vehicle fleets. Use a consistent photo-log format with GPS stamps and time-of-inspection notes. For asphalt roofs, look for granule loss, bruising, and shingle cracking. For metal and vinyl surfaces, photograph dents and perforations from multiple angles.

Work safe. Avoid walking wet or debris-covered roofs unless using fall protection. Schedule structural access after roofs have dried when possible. Prepare materials for common repairs: replacement shingles, underlayment, mechanical fasteners for metal panels, and sealants for siding seams. For precise hail track mapping and to target high-priority repairs, purchase the Strike Map to view the radar-derived hail track and the paid damage zone for this event.