Philadelphia, MS Hail Storm – September 2026

Philadelphia, MS — September 21, 2026 — A severe thunderstorm is tracking through the Philadelphia metro and is producing hail up to 1.19 inches in diameter. The storm remains active and conditions may still be developing.

What Happened

The storm moved into the Philadelphia, MS metro in late afternoon and is continuing to produce hail and strong echoes on radar. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 2:51 PM CDT for 1.00-inch hail within the warning area. Dual-polarization and NEXRAD hail detection are showing radar-detected hail signatures along a northeast-moving track through the city. Observations are ongoing and additional hail returns are continuing to appear on scans.

Local spotter reports and automated detection both contributed to the alert sequence for the single warning polygon covering the metro. Field reports and radar returns are being updated as crews and spotters relay conditions. Because the storm is active, hail intensity and the affected corridor may shift as the cell progresses.

Damage Assessment

Peak hail measured at 1.19 inches. That size is slightly larger than a US quarter (1.00 inch) and smaller than a golf ball (1.75 inches). At this size, expect isolated cosmetic damage to vehicle paint and soft trim across the path in Philadelphia metro neighborhoods. Asphalt shingle wear, bruising, and accelerated granule loss are possible on older or weathered roofs, especially on south- and west-facing slopes exposed during peak hail returns.

No spotter-verified structural collapse or widespread catastrophic damage is indicated in current reports for the metro. Window breakage is unlikely at this diameter under typical impact angles, but localized screen, siding, and trim damage has occurred with similar events and should be inspected on properties along the radar-detected track.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect priority locations along the radar-indicated track first. Start with vehicle fleets, rooftop-mounted equipment, and exposed low-slope roofing where granule loss and bruising are most visible. Use time-stamped photos and GPS-tagged imagery to document pre-repair condition. Note roof age and previous wear in your reports; those factors increase likelihood of hail-related shingle compromise.

Follow safety protocols for climb work and ladder placement given ongoing storm activity. Coordinate with homeowners and property managers about temporary tarping needs where granule loss exposes underlayment. Prepare concise scopes of work for insurance submission and include clear imagery of dents, bruises, and granule displacement when applicable.

Paid subscribers can view the Strike Map for the radar-confirmed hail swath and damage zone.