Weeks after the April 28, 2026 hailstorm hit Springfield, the damage is real, the claims are stacking up, and storm chasers are knocking on doors. This update covers what happened, what the insurance market looks like now, and three steps to take this week.
TLDR: The April 28, 2026 hailstorm produced hail up to 4.75 inches across a 100-mile path through Southwest Missouri. State Farm alone has reported over 17,000 claims. Out-of-town contractors are canvassing Springfield neighborhoods right now. If your roof took a hit, get a free inspection this week, pull your storm record, and file your claim with documentation in hand.
A single supercell tracked north-northeast through Southwest Missouri for two hours and twenty minutes, dropping grapefruit-sized hail. Springfield, Republic, Battlefield, Nixa, Ozark, Fair Grove, and Willard all took hits. Two weeks later, the cleanup, claims, and contractors are everywhere.
What Actually Happened on April 28, 2026
One left-moving supercell did the damage. It tracked from Barry County through Lawrence, Christian, Greene, Dallas, Webster, Laclede, and Camden Counties over 100 miles of southern Missouri.
The largest confirmed stone was 4.75 inches, measured 5 miles southeast of Bois d’Arc at 11:43 AM. That is larger than a grapefruit. The NWS Springfield official event page logged 4-inch hail at the NWS office itself, 30 minutes after it fell. The stones were even bigger when they hit the ground.
Two waves rolled through, one near 11 AM and one near 1 PM, so many areas got hit twice.
| Location | Confirmed Hail Size | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 5 SE Bois d’Arc | 4.75 inches (grapefruit) | 11:43 AM |
| 1 NNW Aurora | 4.00 inches | 11:24 AM |
| 5 SSE Willard | 4.00 inches | 11:45 AM |
| NWS Springfield office | 2.75 to 4.00 inches | ~11:45 AM |
| 1 NE Republic | 3.25 inches (apple) | 11:40 AM |
| 4 NNE Battlefield | 1.75 inches | 11:45 AM |
| 3 WNW Nixa | 1.75 inches | 11:40 AM |
| Fair Grove | 1.75 inches | 12:04 PM |
| Nixa / 1 W Ozark | 1.00 inch | 1:47 to 1:55 PM |
The aftermath: 10,111 power outages in Springfield, 29 storm-related crashes in Greene County, and widespread damage at the airport. Dickerson Park Zoo also lost an emu.
Tip: The NWS Springfield event page has the full hail-size log by exact location. Adjusters reference it. So should you.
What the Insurance Market Looks Like Right Now
State Farm has reported receiving over 17,000 home, property, and auto claims from the late April Missouri storms. The company called its response historic. Major insurers set up on-site catastrophe centers across Springfield in the days after.
Adjusters are flooded. Expect 14 to 21 days or more before a visit. The faster you file with complete documentation, the faster you move through the queue. For the full claim process, read how roof insurance claims work in Springfield.
Most Missouri policies require reporting within 60 days to 12 months of the storm date. The clock started April 28. The Missouri Department of Insurance maintains the official resources on your rights.
Greene County Emergency Management is collecting damage reports for a potential FEMA disaster declaration. Note: only uninsured or underinsured vehicle damage counts toward the federal threshold. Standard insured home and roof damage does not count for this specific declaration. If your vehicle had liability-only coverage and sustained hail damage, report it at [email protected] or 417-869-6040.
Important: Your reporting clock started April 28, not the day you noticed damage.
The Storm Chaser Surge in Springfield Right Now
Out-of-state contractors began knocking on Springfield doors within 24 to 72 hours of the storm. The Better Business Bureau issued a formal warning about post-storm roofing scammers, broadcast on KY3. Community warnings are circulating across the metro.
Under Missouri law passed in 2012, contractors cannot waive or cover your insurance deductible. Any contractor who offers that is breaking the law. It is a red flag, not a deal.
Other red flags: no local Missouri address, out-of-state plates, pressure to sign today, and verbal-only estimates. A legitimate local contractor gives you a physical address, proof of insurance, and time to think.
Three Steps to Take Right Now
If your home was in the storm path, here is what to do this week.
- Get a free roof inspection. Schedules are filling fast. Call for a free roof inspection to get in the queue. For a ground-level walkthrough first, see the storm damage inspection checklist for Nixa homeowners.
- Pull your storm record. Look up the confirmed hail size at your address through the NOAA Storm Events Database. Save it with your photos.
- File your insurance claim with documentation in hand. A written inspection report plus the storm record makes a stronger claim than filing blind. See the guide to storm damage roof repair in Springfield for what comes next.
| Factor | Normal Spring | After April 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor scheduling | 1 to 2 weeks | 3 to 6+ weeks |
| Adjuster wait | 7 to 14 days | 14 to 21+ days |
| Out-of-state contractors | Minimal | Canvassing now |
| Fraud risk | Low | Elevated, BBB warning |
| Filing urgency | Normal | Clock started April 28 |
Illustrative scenario: A homeowner in Battlefield watched baseball-sized hail pound their vehicle and roof on April 28. A contractor knocked 36 hours later, offering to “handle insurance.” The homeowner said no, pulled the NWS report showing 1.75-inch hail at their location, and called for a free inspection. The inspection found granule loss and a cracked pipe boot. They filed with full documentation and had an adjuster visit within ten days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Was the April 28, 2026 Springfield hailstorm really historic? Yes. NWS Springfield confirmed hail up to 4.75 inches across a 100-mile path. State Farm has reported receiving over 17,000 home, property, and auto claims from the late April Missouri storms.
Q: My area only got smaller hail. Do I still need an inspection? Yes. One-inch hail, confirmed in Nixa and around Ozark, can crack pipe boots, knock granules loose, and damage flashing. The damage is invisible from the ground.
Q: How long do I have to file my insurance claim? Most Missouri policies require reporting within 60 days to 12 months of the storm date. The clock started April 28.
Q: Storm chasers keep knocking. What should I do? Do not sign on the spot. Verify a local Missouri address and proof of insurance. Missouri law prohibits deductible waivers, so any such offer is illegal.
Q: Where do I find the official storm report for my address? The NWS Springfield April 28 event page lists confirmed hail sizes by location with timestamps. The NOAA Storm Events Database has the same data. Both are free.
Ready for a Free Roof Inspection?
If your home was in the April 28 storm path, the next step is a real look at your roof from a local team.
ProNail Exteriors is based in Ozark and has spent over a decade serving Southwest Missouri homeowners. Our crews are local and respectful of your property. We do not knock on doors. We do not waive deductibles. We document everything in writing and help you build the strongest possible claim.
Here is what you get:
- Free roof inspection and honest assessment
- Written inspection report you can use with your insurance company
- A local crew with a permanent address in Ozark
Call: (844) 321-6245 Email: [email protected] Visit: https://pronailexteriors.com/
We serve Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Branson, Republic, Battlefield, Willard, Fair Grove, Rolla, and the rest of Southwest Missouri.
ProNail Exteriors | Roofing, Siding, Windows, Gutters, Decks, and More | Serving Southwest Missouri Since 2025
