On March 10, 2026, one of the most severe hailstorms in recent Illinois history swept across the state, leaving thousands of homeowners with damaged roofs, siding, and gutters. If your home was in the storm's path, you likely have a covered insurance claim — and the clock is now running.
The storm developed rapidly in the afternoon, fueled by unusually warm, moist air ahead of a strong cold front. As the supercell matured over the Kankakee River Valley, it produced hail of historic size — reports of stones up to 6.6 inches in diameter near Kankakee, large enough to puncture roofing and shatter skylights. As the system pushed northeast, it dropped 4.8-inch hail across the DuPage County suburbs and spun up an EF-3 tornado near Aroma Park.
Storm Timeline
- Early afternoon — Storm initiationSupercell develops over central Illinois ahead of an approaching cold front.
- Mid-afternoon — Kankakee ValleyRecord hail up to 6.6" reported in and around Kankakee, Bourbonnais, and Bradley.
- Late afternoon — Aroma ParkEF-3 tornado touches down, causing structural damage to homes and outbuildings.
- Evening — DuPage County4.8" hail batters Downers Grove, Woodridge, Darien, and Westmont as the system moves northeast.
What Hail This Size Does to a Roof
Hail larger than 2 inches can crack and bruise asphalt shingles, knock loose the protective granule layer, dent metal flashing and vents, and damage gutters and downspouts. The dangerous part is that much of this damage isn't visible from the ground — a roof can look intact while granule loss quietly shortens its lifespan and creates entry points for water.
Cities Impacted by the March 10 Storm
We're helping homeowners across the affected region with free roof inspections and full insurance claim support. Find your city below:
Kankakee Valley
Hardest hit — record hail up to 6.6" and EF-3 tornado.
DuPage County Suburbs
4.8" hail across residential neighborhoods.
What to Do If Your Home Was Hit
1. Don't wait — but don't climb up either
Hail damage is easy to miss and dangerous to inspect yourself. Stay off the roof and let a professional document it properly for your claim.
2. Get a professional inspection before you file
Knowing the full extent of your damage before filing means nothing gets missed or underpaid. Our inspections are free and come with photo documentation.
3. Let a claim specialist handle the carrier
We file the claim, communicate with your insurance company, and stand with you at the adjuster meeting so the damage is represented fairly.
