Ooltewah, TN Hail Storm – September 2026

A hail-producing thunderstorm moved through Ooltewah, Tennessee on September 19, 2026, producing 2.19-inch stones and generating a long sequence of NWS alerts during the afternoon and early evening.

What Happened

NWS issued 17 alerts for the warning area between 12:46 PM CDT and 6:28 PM CDT as the storm crossed the metro Ooltewah corridor. Dual-polarization radar first detected a strong hail signature at 12:46 PM CDT with a radar-derived 2.00-inch probability spike. Additional dual-polarization detections occurred in the mid-to-late afternoon, including radar-derived signatures near 3:47 PM CDT and 3:53 PM CDT indicating hail above one inch. Many intervening NWS warning-only alerts reported smaller hail signatures at 0.75 inch and 1.00 inch through the late afternoon.

Local spotters provided ground observations inside the warning area. At 2:35 PM CDT and again at 3:35 PM CDT, spotters reported quarter-sized hail near the intersection of Ridge Ferry Park and Riverside Parkway. Those on-the-ground reports were spotter-verified and correspond with radar activity over the same corridor during the mid-afternoon period.

The overall storm character was a long-lived hail producer with shifting intensity along a west-to-east track through Ooltewah. Radar signatures and NWS alerts show multiple pulses of hail intensity rather than a single, brief burst.

Damage Assessment

Field reports from local spotters were limited to quarter-sized hail near Ridge Ferry Park and Riverside Parkway. No spotter narratives in the record describe structural failures, collapsed roofs, or widespread tree damage at those verification points. Radar-detected larger hail signatures were present on the same general corridor, indicating elevated potential for isolated impacts along the storm track where the stronger radar returns intersected populated tracts.

Observed impacts were therefore localized. Residential properties and vehicles near Ridge Ferry Park and Riverside Parkway should be inspected for cosmetic damage to siding, soft-metal trim, and vehicle paint in the immediate vicinity of the reported hail observations. Public reports do not document broader, street-level damage beyond the named intersections.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize inspections within the corridor that includes Ridge Ferry Park and Riverside Parkway. Begin with roofs showing exposure to mid-afternoon radar signatures and the times when spotters logged quarter-sized hail. Focus on shingles, ridge caps, gutter systems, and HVAC units mounted on roofs. Photograph suspected damage with the nearest cross streets visible when possible.

For vehicle and siding claims, document hail dents and paint scuffs with close-up and contextual shots showing the location relative to the reported intersections. Estimate replacement or repair needs on materials likely affected by quarter-inch to one-inch hail sizes. When submitting bids, include the local spotter times—2:35 PM CDT and 3:35 PM CDT—for scope justification.