DFW Hit by Two Massive Hail Storms in One Week
STORM REPORT | APRIL 2026

STORM REPORT | APRIL 2026
DFW Hit by Two Massive Hail Storms in One Week
April 25 & 27, 2026 | Fort Worth • Arlington • Rockwall • Rowlett • Garland • Richardson
Published: April 28, 2026 | Becker Roofing & Exteriors | (817) 898-7175 | brexteriors.com
North Texas homeowners barely had time to catch their breath before the second punch landed. In an extraordinary seven-day span, the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex was struck by two powerful, destructive hail storms — on Saturday night, April 25, and again on Monday night, April 27, 2026. Together, these storms impacted hundreds of thousands of residents, damaged an estimated 20,000+ homes, shattered car windshields across multiple counties, and sent roofing contractors scrambling to meet unprecedented demand.
If your home sits anywhere near Fort Worth, Arlington, White Settlement, the Stockyards area, Rockwall, Rowlett, Garland, Richardson, or North Dallas — there is a very real chance your roof, gutters, siding, and vehicle took significant damage. This post breaks down everything you need to know about both storms and exactly what steps to take to protect your home and insurance claim.
Storm 1: April 25, 2026 — The Fort Worth Supercell
The first storm was a powerful, long-tracked supercell that developed west of the Metroplex on Saturday evening and roared through Tarrant County through the late night hours. The combination of very large hail, violent winds, and confirmed tornado activity made this storm particularly dangerous — and deadly.
⚡ April 25 Storm — By the Numbers
Max Hail Size: 2.5 inches (Baseball-sized)
Houses Impacted: 15,344 (HailTrace Meteorologist Verified)
Duration of 1"+ Hail: 7 minutes of sustained large hail
Tornadoes Confirmed: 2 (National Weather Service)
Fatalities: 2 (Wise County & Parker County)
Peak Tornado Winds: 130–135 mph (EF-2 near Runaway Bay)
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-2 tornado in Wise County near Runaway Bay with 130–135 mph peak winds, and an EF-1 in Parker County near Springtown that tracked nearly 10 miles. For the Fort Worth metro, the primary threat was hail up to 2.5 inches tracking from west-northwest Fort Worth southeast through Arlington and Grand Prairie.
📍 HailTrace Storm Map — April 25, 2026 — Purple zones = 2.5"+ hail cores. 15,344 homes impacted across Tarrant County, Arlington, and Grand Prairie.
2–3 Inch Hail Measured in Fort Worth
Multiple Fort Worth residents measured and photographed hail stones in the 2 to 3-inch range. At these sizes, hail strikes with enough force to bruise and crack asphalt shingles, destroy HVAC condensers, and punch through vehicle glass.
📍 Fort Worth, TX — April 25, 2026 — Large irregular-shaped hail recovered from the storm. Irregular shape concentrates impact force and is the most damaging profile for roofing systems.
Windshields Destroyed — A Warning for Your Roof
No image from the April 25th storm demonstrated the destructive power more clearly than photos of car windshields punched through with multiple large holes in downtown Fort Worth. If hail can do this to tempered automotive glass, consider what it does to asphalt shingles. If cars in your neighborhood were damaged, your roof almost certainly took a hit too.
📍 Downtown Fort Worth — April 25, 2026 — Multiple large impact holes punched through this windshield, demonstrating the kinetic energy of 2"+ hail.
“If hail can punch through a car windshield — one of the most impact-resistant materials manufactured — imagine what it’s doing to your asphalt shingles. Any hail over 1.5 inches warrants a professional roof inspection. Period.”
Storm 2: April 27, 2026 — The East Dallas Corridor
Just 48 hours later, a second powerful storm swept through Rockwall, Rowlett, Garland, Richardson, North Dallas, and Mesquite. Orange-sized hail exceeding 3 inches was reported in multiple areas, along with bizarre spikey irregular-shaped stones that are especially damaging to roofing systems.
⚡ April 27 Storm — By the Numbers
Max Hail Size: 3"+ Orange-sized (community confirmed)
Official Spotter Max: 2.0" Hen Egg-sized (Rockwall, HailTrace)
Rockwall Hail Reports: 12 within 10 miles of city center
Cities in Direct Path: Rockwall, Rowlett, Garland, Richardson, North Dallas, Mesquite
📍 HailTrace Storm Map — April 27, 2026 — Red/purple core tracked from Richardson through Garland into Rowlett and Rockwall. Orange-sized hail concentrated in the heaviest zones.
Orange-Sized Hail Across Four Cities
Residents in Rockwall, Rowlett, Garland, and Mesquite photographed hailstones next to actual oranges for scale. The comparison is striking — and sobering for any homeowner in those zip codes.
📍 Rowlett, TX — April 27, 2026 — Orange-sized hail confirmed — 3"+ diameter. Similar sizes documented in Rockwall, Garland, and Mesquite.
Measured at 2 Inches in Rowlett
Residents used tape measures to precisely document hail stones. The largest measured stone came in at 2 full inches — consistent with HailTrace’s official report — though community reports of 3"+ were widespread given the storm core’s behavior.
📍 Rowlett, TX — April 27, 2026 — Stanley tape measure confirms 2" hailstone. Community photos indicate 3"+ in parts of Rowlett.
The “Spikey” Hail — Why Shape Makes It Worse
Many hailstones from the April 27th storm had an unusual irregular, spikey shape. Unlike round hail that distributes force across a curved surface, spikey hail concentrates force at sharp points — essentially acting as ice picks capable of punching through shingles, tearing the granule layer, and perforating older roofing material.
📍 Garland, TX — April 27, 2026 — This spikey hailstone concentrates all impact force at sharp points — the most damaging profile for roofing systems.
Estimated Damage: What Both Storms Cost
Based on HailTrace data confirming 15,344 homes impacted in the April 25th event alone, comparable DFW storm histories, and 2026 North Texas construction costs:
💰 Estimated Economic Impact — Both Storms Combined
Estimated Homes Damaged: 20,000+ (both events combined)
Estimated Insured Property Losses: $500 million+
Average Roof Replacement Cost DFW 2026: $12,000 – $22,000
Average Vehicle Hail Repair: $3,000 – $8,000
For context: the 2016 Wylie/Garland storm generated over $1.4 billion in insured losses. With two storms in one week across different DFW population centers, the April 25–27 outbreak will likely rank among the most costly weather events in DFW history for 2026.
⚠️ Important: Texas law gives you up to two years from the storm date to file a hail damage claim — but most policies have a shorter contractual window of one year. Roofing contractors book up quickly. Get your inspection scheduled now.
What to Do After a Hail Storm: Step-by-Step
The actions you take right now determine whether you receive full coverage or leave thousands of dollars on the table.
Step 1 — Document Everything Before Cleanup
Photograph every piece of hail evidence — pockmarks in soil, dented gutters, bruised screens, damaged AC units — before rain washes it away. Metal surfaces like gutters and HVAC units show unmistakable round dents that prove the storm date for your claim.
Step 2 — Schedule a Free Professional Inspection
Hail damage is almost never visible from the ground. It bruises the granule layer and creates micro-fractures that accelerate water infiltration for years. Becker Roofing & Exteriors provides free inspections with full photo documentation at no cost to you.
Step 3 — File Your Insurance Claim
Contact your homeowner’s insurance and report potential storm damage. Don’t wait — claim queues fill up fast after major events and early filers get adjuster visits faster.
Step 4 — Don’t Accept the First Estimate
Initial estimates routinely miss HVAC units, gutters, fencing, siding, and skylights. The gap between an insurer’s first estimate and actual repair cost is often 40–60%. Have your contractor present during the adjuster visit.
Step 5 — Watch for Storm Chaser Red Flags
After major events, out-of-state contractors flood DFW. Offering to waive your deductible violates Texas Insurance Code §707.006. Always choose a licensed, local, verifiable contractor.
What Hail Damage Looks Like on Your Roof
• Granule loss at impact points — Circular areas of exposed black asphalt mat. Invisible from the street, clear on close inspection.
• Bruised or soft spots — Cracked fiberglass mat beneath the surface. Only detectable with a trained hands-on inspection.
• Dented metal components — Gutters, downspouts, vents, and HVAC fins with round dents. Strongest insurance claim evidence.
• Window screen pitting — Circular pitting or punctures confirm hail size and impact location.
• Siding damage — Hail at 2"+ can crack vinyl siding and leave impact marks on fiber cement panels.
Why Two Storms in One Week Is Worse
If your home is between Fort Worth and the eastern suburbs — NRH, Hurst, Bedford, Irving, Grand Prairie — you may have caught both storms. The April 25th event softened your shingles, making them more vulnerable to April 27th.
Note both dates — April 25 and April 27 — when filing your claim. Adjusters tie damage to specific storm dates. Referencing only one could cost you significant coverage.
Your Texas Hail Insurance Claim: Key Facts
• Filing deadline: 2 years by Texas statute; most policies have a shorter 1-year contractual deadline.
• Wind/hail deductible: Typically 1–3% of dwelling coverage. On a $400,000 home at 2% = $8,000 out of pocket.
• Recoverable depreciation: Insurers pay Actual Cash Value first. Your contractor helps you recover depreciation once work is complete.
• Deductible waivers are illegal: Any contractor offering to cover your deductible violates Texas Insurance Code §707.006.
Was Your Home in the Storm Path?
Becker Roofing & Exteriors is deploying inspection teams across Fort Worth, Arlington, Keller, NRH, Rockwall, Rowlett, Garland, Richardson, and all surrounding communities. Free inspections with full photo documentation — no cost, no obligation.
CALL NOW — FREE INSPECTION
(817) 898-7175
brexteriors.com | sean@brexteriors.com
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