Kankakee's Record 6-Inch Hail: What Homeowners Should Do
By Sam Pipiras, Director of Commercial Development · Published March 2026 · 6 min read
On March 10, 2026, a supercell dropped hail up to six inches across the Kankakee River Valley, possibly the largest hailstone ever recorded in Illinois. Nearly 500 buildings were damaged and dozens of homes were destroyed. If your home sat under that storm, or under any of the spring storms rolling through the Chicago suburbs, your roof may have taken hits you cannot see from the ground. This guide covers how to tell, what to do first, and how the insurance side works, without the pressure.
Quick Answer
After a hailstorm, check your roof from the ground and around your yard for the tell-tale signs: shingle granules washed into gutters and downspouts, dents on gutters, vents, and air-conditioner fins, and cracked or bruised shingles. Do not climb on the roof. Get a free professional inspection to confirm whether there is real damage, and document everything with dated photos. If damage is confirmed, most homeowners policies cover hail, and you generally have a limited window to file, often one year. Be cautious with out-of-town roofers who show up knocking right after a storm.
How Bad Was the March 10 Kankakee Storm?
The March 10, 2026 storm was historic. The National Weather Service reported hail from three inches up to six inches across the Kankakee area, and a hailstone measured in Kankakee may set a new Illinois state record. Nearly 500 buildings were damaged, around 30 homes were destroyed, and roughly 7,400 customers lost power. It was part of a larger tornado and hail outbreak that swept across central and eastern Illinois and into northwest Indiana.
Hail that size does not just dent gutters. It can fracture shingles, knock the protective granules loose, and damage vents, skylights, and flashing in ways that turn into leaks months later if they go unaddressed. That delay is exactly why so much hail damage gets missed until it becomes a bigger, wetter problem.
How Do I Know If My Roof Has Hail Damage?
Hail damage is often invisible from the street, which is why a lot of it goes unnoticed until a leak appears. From the ground and around your yard, look for:
- Granules (the sandy coating from shingles) collected in gutters and at the bottom of downspouts
- Dents or dings on metal gutters, downspouts, roof vents, and the fins of your air conditioner
- Cracked, split, or bruised shingles, or shingles with dark spots where the granules were knocked off
- Damaged window screens, siding, or wraps, which are clues the roof likely took hits too
A bruise on a shingle, a soft spot you can feel but barely see, is one of the most common forms of hail damage and the hardest to catch without getting up close. That is what a trained inspector is looking for.
What Should You Do First?
Five simple steps, in order:
- Stay off the roof. It is not safe, and you can do more harm than good. Inspect from the ground.
- Document what you can see. Take dated photos of dents, granules in gutters, and any interior signs like ceiling stains.
- Check the rest of the exterior. Dented gutters, screens, and AC units are strong evidence the roof was hit too.
- Get a professional roof inspection. A reputable local roofer will inspect for free and tell you honestly whether there is real damage.
- Keep records. Save your photos, the inspection report, and the storm date. You will need them if you file a claim.
Will Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
In most cases, yes. Standard homeowners policies cover sudden hail and wind damage, subject to your deductible. The keys are documentation and timing. You usually have a limited window to file, often one year from the date of the storm, though it varies by policy, so it is worth confirming yours. A roof inspection report with dated photos makes the claim far smoother. We walk through the whole process in our hail damage and insurance claim guide.
Repair, Replace, or Leave It Alone?
Not every hail hit means a new roof, and a good contractor will tell you that. Light, cosmetic dents on an otherwise healthy roof may not need anything. Widespread bruising, cracked shingles, and granule loss across the roof usually point to replacement, because the damage shortens the roof's remaining life and can affect manufacturer coverage. The only way to know which camp you are in is an honest inspection. If someone tells you that you definitely need a full replacement before they have even been on the roof, be skeptical.
Be Careful Who Knocks on Your Door
After a storm this big, out-of-town roofing crews flood the area going door to door. Some are fine. Many are storm chasers who will be three states away by the time a problem shows up, leaving you with no one to call on the warranty. Choose a local, established contractor you can find again. We are based in Mokena, we work across the Chicago suburbs all year, and we are here long after storm season ends. Whether your roof was hit or not, we will give you a straight answer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check from the ground for shingle granules in your gutters and downspouts, dents on gutters, vents, and air-conditioner fins, and cracked or bruised shingles. Damaged window screens or siding are also clues the roof was hit. Much hail damage is hard to see from the street, so a professional inspection is the reliable way to confirm it.
The National Weather Service reported hail from three inches up to six inches across the Kankakee area, and a hailstone measured in Kankakee may set a new Illinois state record. Nearly 500 buildings were damaged and around 30 homes were destroyed in the storm.
In most cases, yes. Standard homeowners policies cover sudden hail and wind damage, subject to your deductible. The keys are documenting the damage with dated photos and an inspection report, and filing within your policy's window.
It varies by policy, but many insurers allow up to one year from the date of the storm. Because the deadline differs from one policy to the next, confirm yours, and start documentation early so you are not rushing near the deadline.
Be cautious. After a major storm, out-of-town storm chasers go door to door, and many will be gone before any warranty issue surfaces. Choose a local, established contractor you can find again, and never sign a contract on the spot before an honest inspection.
It depends on the severity. Light, cosmetic dents on a healthy roof may need nothing. Widespread bruising, cracked shingles, and granule loss usually point to replacement because they shorten the roof's life. Only an inspection can tell you which applies, so be skeptical of anyone who insists on a full replacement before getting on the roof.