If you’ve seen The Wizard of Oz, you might be familiar with “tornado alley”—a large swathe of the Great Plains region where tornados commonly wreak havoc in the United States. But what about “hail alley,” it’s much smaller and lesser-known counterpart? Hail Alley is located at the intersection where Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska meet. This pocket receives about 7–9 hailstorms yearly, some of which cause significant destruction.
Hail forms when thunderstorm air currents drive rain into the atmosphere, where it’s cold enough to freeze. When this occurs, the rain will harden into an icy hailstone, then plummet. While some hailstones are too small to inflict harm, large hailstones can exceed the size of a golf ball and land at more than 100 miles per hour, the National Weather Service reports. This can be dangerous to property and human life, so here are a few tips on minimizing hail damage for those who call hail alley homes.
Inspect the Roof on a Regular Basis
During a hailstorm, the roof is usually the most vulnerable part of your home. The sheer force of impact and intense thunderstorm winds can lead to serious hail damage when your roof is hit. Over time, this could result in ceiling leaks and other structural problems affecting your entire home, so it’s crucial to ensure the roof is strong and resilient.
Perform a routine visual check every few months, then schedule a professional roof inspection about twice a year. That might sound expensive, but it’s worth the investment since a professional can spot various non-cosmetic issues such as mold, rot, leaks, or decay.
Replace Asphalt Shingles with Metal.
While we’re on your roof, traditional asphalt shingles cannot weather frequent hail damage, but sturdy metal roofing panels can. This material is so durable that insurance companies often give discount policy rates to homeowners who replace their shingles with hail-resistant metal. Gauge number is the measurement of a sheet metal’s thickness, so when selecting roofing panels, ensure they’re at least 26ga (.018 inches). A stable roof is non-negotiable if you live in or around hail alley, and asphalt shingles aren’t up to the task. Replacing them on the front end is safer than stressing over repairs in the aftermath.
Use Impact Resistant Storm Shutters
Windows are also susceptible to hail damage—when a frozen ice ball collides with a glass pane at high acceleration, the window can crack or shatter. This allows debris, water, or heavy winds to enter your home, but storm shutters will protect the windows from this impact. Made from reinforced polycarbonate, steel, or aluminum, these shutters easily attach to the exterior. All you have to do is close them before severe weather rolls in. There are various storm shutters, all of which can withstand a forceful hail shower. Many also come in stylish designs to not distract from your home’s curb appeal.
Install Exterior Fiber-Cement Siding.
Siding is a protective material outside a house that prevents weather debris or other intrusive elements from seeping into the walls. Many homes have wood, aluminum, vinyl, or laminate siding. But if you’re a resident of hail alley (or other regions where extreme weather is common), you must invest in fiber-cement siding. This material is a durable mixture of sand, cement, and cellulose fiber that is resistant to weather, natural disasters, fires, and rotting. Fiber cement is also more energy-efficient than other types of siding, so it can help you save on insulation costs. This is another installation that’s worth the investment.
Hire an Expert to Repair the Damage
If you incur hail damage, there’s no reason to deal with the repercussions alone. Hire a restoration service to handle the repairs for you. Whether it’s minor scuffs or extensive structural issues, professional technicians will return your home to its pre-hailstorm condition. Sometimes, they will even help you navigate the insurance claims process if necessary. Living in a severe weather-prone area—like hail alley—can often be stressful. But while you can’t prevent these storms from occurring, help is available when disaster strikes. So do what you can to manage the risk, then call in experts for the aftermath.
Combat Hail Damage in Practical Ways
If you’re in a region that experiences above-normal hail activity, planning ahead for this inclement weather is crucial. Hail damage can be serious, so don’t wait for storm clouds to gather on the horizon. Act now with these practical measures to keep your home safe.
