With thunderstorms back in the forecast for Wisconsin, hail damage is once again a concern for the state’s homeowners.
Hailstorms have already been wreaking havoc across the United States as the average age of roofs increases, making them more brittle and susceptible to hail damage, according to a new report by Cotality, a real estate data provider.
In Wisconsin, more than 1.5 million homes are at “moderate or greater risk” for hail damage with the potential reconstruction costs totaling nearly $693 billion, the report says. That dollar amount is eighth-most in the country.
The report also notes the United States had 142 days with damaging hail in 2025, seven more than in 2024 – and far higher than the 20-year average of 122 days.
How often does it hail in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin typically has between 20 and 30 storms each year during which 0.75-inch or larger hail falls, according to the Wisconsin State Climatology Office. In the last 30 years, property damage caused by large hail has happened on about six days each year.
In 2025, Wisconsin ranked fourth among states for number of homes impacted by 2-inch hail or larger with 38,588 homes damaged, the Cotality report says. The only states that ranked higher were Texas, with 235,799 homes damaged, Wyoming, with 41,660 homes damaged, and Oklahoma, with 38,737 homes damaged.
The number of observed hailstorms in Wisconsin has slowly increased over the years, the climatology office says. The state typically had fewer than 30 hail reports a year before the 1980s to nearly 200 a year by 2020. The most hail reports in a single year was 2007, with more than 600.
The climatology office notes that recording hail reports relies heavily on citizen reporting, so the increase could be attributed to higher community interest in weather as opposed to actual changes to the weather.
How much have severe storms cost Wisconsin?
Between 1980 and 2024, Wisconsin has had 63 weather or climate disaster events with losses of more than $1 billion, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Of those, 44 involved severe weather such as wind, hail or tornadoes.
Here’s how many billion-dollar disasters Wisconsin had from 1980 to 2024, along with the estimated inflation-adjusted cost, organized by decade:
What home improvements help mitigate hail damage?
For Wisconsin homeowners, more frequent hailstorms and aging roofs can be a costly combination. But hail damage prevention and mitigation can be relatively simple.
Wood, slate and shingle roofs are weaker and susceptible to hail damage, but regular roof inspections can help identify weak points ahead of storms and early repairs can prevent more serious damage.
An even sturdier approach, according to Milwaukee contractors, is metal roofing. While metal roofing typically costs more than shingle roofing, it is also far more durable and longer-lasting.
Most renters insurance policies also help cover costs associated with hail damage for renters.
Wisconsin has “storm chaser” laws that protect residents from fraudulent contractors offering repairs. Contractors are prohibited from promising payments to an owner’s insurance deductible, negotiating with an insurance company without permission, working before a contract is entered and failing to notify owners of their right to cancel a contract within three days if insurance is denied.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Are Wisconsin homeowners at higher risk for hail damage? This report says yes
Reporting by Caden Perry, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
