Baton Rouge, LA Hail Storm – September 2026

Baton Rouge, LA — September 7, 2026: A multi-cell hailstorm moved through the metro area late afternoon into early evening, producing a peak hail size of 1.5 inches and prompting multiple NWS severe thunderstorm warnings.

What Happened

Storm activity began in mid-afternoon and continued into early evening. NWS issued 10 separate severe thunderstorm warnings tied to the event. Key warning entries:

• September 7 · 1:51 PM CDT (18:51 UTC) – 1.00 inch hail – NWS warning only
• September 7 · 3:18 PM CDT (20:18 UTC) – 0.75 inch hail – NWS warning only
• September 7 · 3:32 PM CDT (20:32 UTC) – 0.75 inch hail – NWS warning only
• September 7 · 3:45 PM CDT (20:45 UTC) – 0.75 inch hail – NWS warning only
• September 7 · 4:09 PM CDT (21:09 UTC) – 0.75 inch hail – NWS warning only
• September 7 · 5:11 PM CDT (22:11 UTC) – 0.75 inch hail – NWS warning only
• September 7 · 6:00 PM CDT (23:00 UTC) – 1.00 inch hail – NWS warning only
• September 7 · 6:13 PM CDT (23:13 UTC) – 0.75 inch hail – NWS warning only
• September 7 · 6:43 PM CDT (23:43 UTC) – 0.75 inch hail – NWS warning only
• September 7 · 7:11 PM CDT (00:11 UTC) – 1.00 inch hail – NWS warning only

NWS warnings reported hail sizes centered on 0.75 inch and 1.00 inch across multiple warning polygons. The event concluded by early evening. Radar returns aligned with the warning sequence, and multiple warning polygons tracked a coherent path across the Baton Rouge metro.

Damage Assessment

NWS warnings during the event reported hail in the 0.75 inch to 1.00 inch range. A 0.75 inch hailstone corresponds to a US penny; 1.00 inch corresponds to a US quarter. Hail of those sizes most commonly causes cosmetic vehicle damage, denting of aluminum panels, and abrasion or granule loss on asphalt shingles. Localized larger stones were reported in the aggregated dataset.

No widespread structural collapse or large-scale infrastructure failures were reported in available notice streams. Property owners in neighborhoods intersected by the warning polygons should prioritize photographic documentation of vehicle surfaces, roof membranes, and glazing. Record location and local time for each observation.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspectations should start with vehicles and exposed glass. Photograph dent patterns on metal panels and note approximate hail stone dimensions where measurable. For roofing, look for shingle bruising indicated by soft spots or exposed mat fibers and for concentrated granule loss along the windward edges. Prioritize coverings installed within the past 10 years for accelerated wear signs.

Document findings with timestamped photos and GPS coordinates. Separate cosmetic dents from penetrative damage that affects weatherproofing. Maintain notes on visible debris such as broken limbs or concentrated gutter clogs that can indicate localized hail impacts. Provide clients a short written assessment labeling immediate safety issues and recommended next steps.