March 10, 2026 Hail Storm: What Darien, Woodridge, Westmont, and Downers Grove Homeowners Should Do Now
Confirmed Hail Damage Reports: Darien, Woodridge, Westmont, and Downers Grove
A powerful supercell thunderstorm moved across Chicago’s western and southern suburbs Tuesday evening. The National Weather Service confirmed “destructive” hail across multiple DuPage County communities, with the largest stones falling directly in HomeHero Roofing’s core service area.
Here are the confirmed hail reports from the NWS and local storm spotters for cities in the western suburbs:
| City | Confirmed Hail Size | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Darien | 3.75 to 4.8 inches | Larger than a softball |
| Westmont | 2.75 to 4.0 inches | Baseball to grapefruit |
| Woodridge | 3.0 to 3.25 inches | Baseball-sized |
| Downers Grove (SE) | 2.75 inches | Baseball-sized |
| Bolingbrook | 1.75 to 3.0 inches | Golf ball to baseball |
The NWS also reported the hail path continued northeast toward Clarendon Hills, La Grange, and Countryside. The same storm system produced a 6-inch hailstone in Kankakee, which may set a new Illinois state record.
The same storm system also produced at least four confirmed tornadoes across the region, though the damage in Darien, Woodridge, Westmont, and Downers Grove was caused by hail, not a tornado. Hail and tornadoes can come from the same supercell, but they cause different types of damage. Tornado damage is scattered and directional. Hail damage covers entire neighborhoods evenly, which is what NWS reports show here.
Nearly 7,000 ComEd customers lost power. Both O’Hare and Midway airports issued ground stops. The NWS had issued severe thunderstorm warnings for DuPage and Cook counties until 6:45 PM CDT.
What 3 to 5 Inch Hail Does to Your Roof
Not all hail causes the same damage. Here’s a quick reference for what each size can do to asphalt shingles, which cover the majority of homes in the western suburbs:
Hail Size Reference
With 2.75-to-4.8-inch hail confirmed across Darien, Woodridge, Westmont, and Downers Grove, the damage potential ranges from significant granule loss and shingle cracking to full structural impact on the roof deck. Hail this size can also damage gutters, siding, skylights, and HVAC units on the roof. At 3 inches and above, hail can crack or shatter windows, especially older single-pane glass, storm doors, and glass patio furniture.
For a full breakdown of every layer from deck to ridge cap, see our guide to the parts of a roof. Here are the five areas most vulnerable after a hail event like this one:
5 Areas of Your Roof Most Vulnerable to Hail
- Ridge caps and hip shingles sit at the highest point and take the most direct impact from falling hail
- Valleys collect debris and water, so cracked shingles here lead to leaks faster than anywhere else on the roof
- Pipe boots and vent flashings are the rubber and metal seals around pipes. Hail cracks these, causing slow leaks you may not notice for weeks
- Gutters and downspouts show dents and crimping from hail strikes. Check these first because they’re visible from the ground
- Skylights can crack or lose their seal even from moderate hail. Check for any new condensation or water marks around interior frames
Keep in mind that hail damage on asphalt shingles often looks like dark spots or bruises rather than obvious holes. A trained eye can spot the difference between hail damage and normal wear. That’s why a professional inspection matters.
Matt Balducci, HomeHero Roofing CEO, filmed during Tuesday’s hail storm in Downers Grove
You’ll be having literally tens, if not 20 different contractors coming to your door over the next couple days. Make sure they’re local. Make sure they have an Illinois license, workers’ comp, liability insurance, quality materials, and local crews.
Matt Balducci, HomeHero Roofing CEO, filmed during Tuesday’s storm in Downers Grove
What to Do After Hail Damage in Illinois: 5 Steps
If you live in Darien, Woodridge, Westmont, Downers Grove, or any western suburb that was in Tuesday’s storm path, here’s exactly what to do:
- Document everything now Walk your yard and take photos of any hail still on the ground. Photograph any visible damage to siding, gutters, cars, deck furniture, or window screens. Timestamp matters for insurance, so do this today while evidence is fresh.
- Call your insurance company Report that your property was in the storm path. You don’t need to file a full claim yet. Just open a file so there’s a record. In Illinois, most homeowner policies give you 1-2 years to file a hail damage claim, but reporting early protects your timeline.
- Schedule a professional roof inspection Contact a local, licensed roofing contractor for a thorough roof inspection. A good inspector will check not just the shingles but also the attic, ventilation, flashings, and pipe boots. Do not climb on the roof yourself.
- Get a written, itemized estimate Any roofer you consider should provide a detailed, line-by-line estimate in writing. If someone gives you a verbal number or a one-line quote, that’s not an estimate. That’s a red flag.
- Take your time deciding You have time. There is no “48-hour deadline” for hail damage repairs despite what a door-knocker might tell you. Get at least two inspections. Compare estimates. Check references. A legitimate contractor will never pressure you to sign the same day.
Storm Chaser Warning: Protect Yourself
After every major hail event, out-of-state contractors flood into affected neighborhoods. The Illinois Attorney General’s office calls them “storm chasers” and has issued repeated warnings about their tactics. These contractors often disappear after collecting payment, leaving homeowners with unfinished work, voided manufacturer warranties, or no recourse if problems emerge later. For more on how to tell if a roofer is being dishonest, we wrote a full guide.
Here’s what you should NOT do:
- Don’t sign anything at your front door. No legitimate contractor needs a signature on the spot. Ever.
- Don’t let anyone on your roof without first verifying their Illinois roofing license number.
- Don’t pay any money upfront. Illinois law does not require a deposit for roof repairs or replacement. Any contractor demanding money before starting work is a red flag.
- Don’t let anyone pressure you into filing an insurance claim “for free.” Promises to “cover your deductible” or give you a “free roof through insurance” are signs of insurance fraud, and you could be held liable.
- Don’t fall for “we’re doing your neighbor’s roof right now.” This is the most common door-knocking line. Ask which neighbor. Call them. Verify.
- Don’t agree to any work without a written contract. Illinois law (the Home Repair and Remodeling Act) requires a written contract for any work over $1,000, signed by both you and the contractor.
Red Flags: How to Spot a Storm Chaser
- Shows up at your door within 24-48 hours of a storm, uninvited
- Out-of-state license plates on their truck or work vehicle
- No physical local office address (ask and verify on Google Maps)
- Offers a “free roof” or says they’ll “waive your deductible” (this is insurance fraud)
- Pressures you to sign a contract the same day
- Provides a vague, lump-sum estimate instead of an itemized, written quote
- Cannot show proof of an active Illinois roofing license
- Cannot provide a Certificate of Insurance (general liability and workers comp)
- Has no online reviews from local homeowners (or only generic, unverified reviews)
- Asks for a large deposit or full payment before starting work
How to Verify a Roofer’s Illinois License Before You Hire
Whether it’s a company that knocked on your door or one you found online, run through these five checks before you agree to anything. For the detailed version, read our full guide on how to verify an Illinois roofer’s license.
1. Verify their Illinois roofing license. All roofing contractors in Illinois must hold a valid license from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Look up any contractor at: IDFPR License Lookup
2. Check them with the Better Business Bureau. Look for an A or A+ rating and whether complaints have been filed: BBB Business Search
3. Confirm a local office address. Search their business name on Google Maps. A real local company has a real local address you can drive to. Storm chasers use P.O. boxes or list addresses in other states.
4. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI). This should show general liability insurance (at least $1 million) and workers compensation coverage. If they can’t produce one, walk away.
5. Read their reviews from local homeowners. Check Google, Yelp, and the BBB for reviews that mention specific suburbs and real project details. A handful of vague five-star reviews with no specifics is a warning sign.
To report suspicious contractors: Call the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotline at 1-800-386-5438.
Hail Damage and Storm Chaser FAQ
From the ground, check your gutters and downspouts for dents. Look at aluminum window frames, AC units, and deck railings for pockmarks. If those show impact marks, your shingles likely do too. On the roof itself, hail damage appears as dark circular bruises, cracked shingles, or areas where the granules (the sandpaper-like coating) have been knocked off. However, hail damage on shingles is often impossible to see from the ground. That’s why a professional inspection from a licensed contractor is the only reliable way to know.
Hail around 1 inch (quarter-sized) can cause cosmetic damage to shingles. At 1.75 inches (golf ball-sized), you start seeing meaningful granule loss that shortens your roof’s lifespan. At 2.5 inches and above (tennis ball to baseball), shingles can crack, tear, or lose their seal. The 2.75-to-4.8-inch hail confirmed across Darien, Woodridge, Westmont, and Downers Grove on March 10 is large enough to cause cracking, splitting, and even structural damage to the roof deck underneath the shingles.
Start by calling your insurance company to report that your property was in the storm’s path. This opens a file and protects your timeline. You don’t have to file a full claim right away. After a professional inspection, you’ll have a better sense of whether the damage is above your deductible. A reputable roofer will walk you through what they found, give you an itemized estimate, and let you decide. For more on how this works, see our storm damage repair process. Be wary of any contractor who pressures you to file a claim or offers to “handle the insurance for you.” You want to make your own informed decision.
Most Illinois homeowner insurance policies allow 1 to 2 years from the date of the storm to file a hail damage claim. Your specific timeline depends on your policy. Call your insurance company to confirm your deadline, and open a file now even if you haven’t had an inspection yet. Don’t let anyone tell you there’s a “48-hour window” or that you’ll lose coverage if you don’t act today. That’s a pressure tactic, not reality.
A thorough hail damage inspection should cover more than just the shingles. A qualified inspector will check the roof surface for bruising, cracking, and granule loss. They’ll inspect flashings, pipe boots, ridge caps, and valleys (the areas most vulnerable to leaks after hail). They should also look at the attic from inside for signs of moisture or daylight, check ventilation, and inspect gutters and downspouts for denting. You should receive a written report with photos documenting any damage found. Here’s a closer look at what to expect during an inspection.
The biggest giveaway is unsolicited door-knocking within days of a storm. Other red flags include out-of-state plates, no local office address, pressure to sign a contract immediately, offers to “waive your deductible” or give you a “free roof” (both signs of insurance fraud), vague or verbal-only estimates, and an inability to provide an Illinois roofing license number or proof of insurance. A legitimate local contractor will give you time, answer your questions, and provide documentation without pressure. For a deeper breakdown, see our full guide on local roofer vs. storm chaser differences.
Yes. Hail measuring 2 inches and above (roughly the size of a hen’s egg) can crack standard window glass. At 3 inches and above, which is what hit Darien, Woodridge, Westmont, and Downers Grove on March 10, hail can shatter single-pane windows, crack double-pane sealed units, damage storm doors, and break glass patio furniture. After a hail event this severe, check every window in your home for cracks, chips, or broken seals (look for fogging between panes). Also check skylights, glass block windows, and any exterior light fixtures with glass covers. If you find cracked or broken glass, document it with photos before cleaning up. That evidence supports your insurance claim.
Both. The same supercell system produced at least four confirmed tornadoes across the Chicago region and destructive hail across multiple western suburbs. In Darien, Woodridge, Westmont, and Downers Grove, the primary damage was caused by hail, not a tornado. The NWS confirmed hail measuring 2.75 to 4.8 inches in these areas. Hail and tornadoes can come from the same storm, but they cause different types of damage. Tornado damage tends to be scattered along a narrow path with debris thrown in one direction. Hail damage covers entire neighborhoods evenly, which is exactly what the NWS damage reports show for the western suburbs. If your home is in these areas, a hail damage inspection is the right next step regardless of whether a tornado also touched down nearby.
Free Storm Damage Inspections for Western Suburbs Homeowners
HomeHero Roofing is based in Downers Grove and serves Chicago’s western suburbs exclusively. We’re offering free, no-obligation storm damage inspections for any homeowner affected by Tuesday’s hail storm. If your roof is fine, we’ll tell you it’s fine. No pressure, no deposit, no surprise fees.
Schedule Your Free InspectionIL License #104.019924 / #105.010799 • Owens Corning Preferred Contractor • A+ BBB with 2025 Complaint Free Award • 5.0 stars from 260+ reviews • No deposit required
Sources: National Weather Service Chicago (NWS Event Summary), NBC Chicago, WTTW Chicago, WGN-TV, ABC7 Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times, FOX 32 Chicago, Chicago Tribune, StormerSite Hail Reports (Woodridge, Downers Grove, Westmont), Interactive Hail Maps, Illinois Attorney General Consumer Protection (Home Repair Fraud), Illinois DFPR License Verification (IDFPR License Lookup). Last updated March 11, 2026.
