Surging hail damage as bad as Cat-4 hurricane, report says More than 43.5 million U.S. homes face significant risk from damaging hail, according to a new report by Cotality, a real estate data provider. The study highlights that hailstorms now cause financial losses comparable to Category 4 hurricanes, with potential reconstruction costs reaching up to $17.84 trillion. The report warns that the growing threat of hail damage is often overlooked compared to more visible risks like wildfires and hurricanes. In 2025, the U.S. experienced 142 days of damaging hail—seven more than in 2024 and well above the 20-year average of 122 days. During these events, over 600,000 homes were struck by hailstones measuring two inches or larger. The report attributes this surge in risk to both changing weather patterns and the aging housing stock. Older roofs, which are more brittle, are particularly vulnerable to hail damage, increasing the likelihood of structural failure. Texas leads the nation in hail risk, with nearly eight million properties exposed to damage and $3.09 trillion in potential reconstruction costs. A massive storm cluster in Texas in June 2023 exemplified the financial impact of hail damage. From June 11 to June 15, hail larger than one inch affected over 680,000 homes, with insured losses estimated between $7 and $10 billion. Nearly all of this damage was caused by hail. The report also identifies other regions in the Midwest as high-risk areas. Secondary markets like Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Denver are located near major weather collision zones, making them frequent targets for severe spring and summer storms. These areas, while often more affordable, are increasingly vulnerable due to their geographic positioning.#texas #kansas_city #st_louis #minneapolis #cotality
