St. Cloud, FL Hail Storm – September 2026

St. Cloud, FL experienced late-afternoon thunderstorms on September 10, 2026, producing peak hail of 1.09 in. The event was brief and concentrated inside the NWS warning area issued for portions of the city.

What Happened

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the St. Cloud area at 5:15 PM EDT on September 10. The warning listed 0.75 in hail as the expected threat. Radar-detected hail returned a larger maximum measurement later in the storm lifecycle. The storm was short-lived and moved northeast through the warning area during the late afternoon period.

Dual-polarization NEXRAD hail detection mapped the primary hail swath across central and northeastern St. Cloud. Ground-verified spotter reports were not published in the warning messaging for this event. The warning area defined by the NWS remained the operational reference for location and address-level outreach during the event.

Damage Assessment

Hail sizes in this event ranged from the warning threshold up to slightly larger than a US quarter. Stones slightly above quarter size commonly produce cosmetic damage to painted vehicle surfaces and can bruise asphalt shingles when impact is concentrated. Glass breakage is uncommon at this size, but small dents and paint chips are possible on unprotected vehicles and exposed outdoor equipment.

Inspect vehicles parked outdoors along the storm track and look for circular dents, chipped clearcoat, and clustered impact marks. Check rooftop-mounted HVAC units and exposed solar panels for surface pitting. Note the NWS warning area as the spatial reference for potential exposure during the late-afternoon passage.

What Contractors Should Know

Document conditions immediately. Photograph damaged surfaces with a ruler or coin clearly visible for scale and include timestamps and precise addresses inside the NWS warning area. Prioritize inspections of soft-metal panels, roofing shingles, and skylights. For vehicles, focus on leading-edge panels and hood surfaces that collect hail impacts.

Estimate scope based on concentrated impact patterns rather than isolated marks. Use early-access tarps or temporary covers to prevent secondary water intrusion where shingles show bruising. Coordinate measurements and serial-numbered photos for claims and contractor scopes. Maintain records that reference the NWS warning time and the local addresses inspected.

The paid Strike Map displays the radar-confirmed hail swath and the event damage zone for this storm.