Crane, TX Hail Storm – September 2026

Crane, Texas experienced a multi-alert severe hail event beginning late afternoon on September 30 and continuing into the early hours of October 1, 2026. Peak hail reached 4.03 inches and the event produced repeated radar-detected swaths and NWS warning activity across the Crane NWS warning area.

What Happened

The storm developed in the late afternoon on September 30 and persisted into the overnight period. The first NWS warning was issued at 2:47 PM CDT reporting 1.00-inch hail. Over the 12-hour span the National Weather Service issued 29 alerts tied to the system. Thirteen of those alerts included dual-polarization radar detections, while 16 were NWS warning-only reports.

Radar-detected hail reports increased through the evening. Larger radar returns appeared in the early evening, with multiple radar detections above 2 inches recorded between roughly 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM CDT. The final NWS warning related to this event issued at 2:25 AM CDT on October 1. The storm is now concluded.

Damage Assessment

Within the Crane NWS warning area the event produced a wide range of hail sizes on radar and in warning messages, from around 0.75 inch to over 4 inches. Multiple radar-detected swaths exceeded 2 inches during the busiest period in the early evening. Hail of 1 to 2 inches commonly causes cosmetic and paint damage to vehicles, dents in metal trim, and localized asphalt shingle abrasion. Hail above 2 inches increases the risk of shingle loss, skylight breakage, and damage to HVAC condensers and exposed equipment.

Areas that saw repeated rounds of hail are at higher risk of layered shingle damage and cumulative denting on fleet vehicles and agricultural equipment. Within the Crane warning area, property owners should expect a mix of surface-level bruising on soft materials and structural impacts where large stones struck vulnerable surfaces.

What Contractors Should Know

Document locations inside the Crane warning area first. Photograph roofs, vehicles, and outdoor equipment with a dated reference and a common-size scale. Prioritize inspections of low-slope and older composition roofs, rooftop HVAC units, solar panels, and windshield glass. Note clustered damage along road corridors and near open lots where radar-detected swaths were strongest.

Plan temporary protective measures where immediate repairs are not possible. Tarping and boarding should follow local building code and insurance guidance. Create separate line items for cosmetic versus structural repair in estimates. Communicate clearly with property owners about likely timelines for replacement roofing, glass repair, and condenser unit evaluation.

Paid subscribers can view the radar-confirmed hail swath and the damage zone on the Strike Map for Crane, TX for this event.