March 10, 2026 Illinois Hail Storm: Complete Property Owner's Guide

What Made the March 10 Storm Historic

The March 10, 2026 hail storm was unlike anything Illinois had seen before. With hailstones reaching 6 inches in diameter near Kankakee — exceeding the previous state record — and 4.8-inch hail confirmed in Darien, the storm caused catastrophic damage across a 120-mile corridor through northern and central Illinois.

The National Weather Service confirmed this as the largest hail event in Illinois recorded history. The storm track moved northeast through Will, Kankakee, DuPage, and portions of Kankakee County, affecting communities including Bolingbrook, Woodridge, Westmont, Downers Grove, Darien, Lisle, Naperville, Joliet, Bradley, and Kankakee.

Types of Damage to Expect

Commercial Flat Roofs (TPO, EPDM, Modified Bitumen)

Large hail is particularly destructive to commercial flat roof membranes. Impacts from 2+ inch hail can:

• Puncture the membrane directly, creating immediate water infiltration points
• Bruise the membrane, weakening it at impact points without visible puncture — these sites crack during thermal cycling
• Damage seams and flashings at penetrations (HVAC units, drains, vents)
• Compromise insulation beneath the membrane through impact and subsequent water infiltration

Critical point: most commercial flat roof hail damage is not visible from the ground. Professional on-roof and drone inspection is required for accurate assessment.

Residential Roofs (Asphalt Shingles)

Hail damage to shingles typically presents as circular dents, granule loss exposing the fiberglass mat, and cracked or missing shingles. 4-6 inch hail causes catastrophic shingle damage — most affected roofs will require full replacement.

Other Exterior Damage

The March 10 storm caused damage far beyond roofing: gutters and downspouts were dented or destroyed; siding (especially aluminum and vinyl) was dented and cracked; windows were cracked or broken; HVAC condensers and equipment were damaged.

Insurance Claim Timelines — Act Now

Illinois standard commercial property insurance policies typically provide 12 months from the date of loss to file a claim. However:

• Many carriers close their catastrophe response teams and revert to standard claims processing quickly after a storm event
• Documentation is strongest when damage is fresh and unweathered
• Delays allow damage to compound — a membrane puncture that costs $8,000 to repair can cause $80,000+ in interior damage over a winter

We recommend filing your claim and scheduling a professional inspection within the next 30 days.

How Aspen Can Help

Aspen Contracting has mobilized full storm recovery operations for the March 10 event. Our teams are actively working on properties across the storm corridor with:

• Free professional inspections scheduled within 24-48 hours
• Emergency tarping for properties with active leaks
• Insurance claim advocacy and adjuster attendance
• Direct insurance billing for all approved claims

Call (877) 784-7663 to schedule your free inspection today.