Quarter-size hail confirmed near Sycamore, De Kalb County, IL

Severe thunderstorms swept through northern Illinois on the afternoon of Thursday, August 21, 2026, bringing confirmed quarter-size hail to portions of De Kalb County. The National Weather Service office in Chicago (LOT) confirmed a hail report of 1.00 inch — the diameter of a quarter — approximately three miles east of Sycamore at around 3:09 PM CDT, part of a broader line of severe thunderstorms that moved through the region during the afternoon and evening hours.

De Kalb County lies approximately 38 miles west-southwest of Oak Brook, Illinois, placing Sycamore, DeKalb, and surrounding communities squarely within the Allied Emergency Services primary service area. Hailstones at one inch in diameter carry enough force to cause meaningful damage to asphalt shingles, siding, gutters, and other exterior building components — damage that is often invisible from the ground but can shorten a roof’s serviceable life and create pathways for future water intrusion. Allied Emergency Services, an Illinois-licensed restoration contractor with 27 years of storm experience across the Greater Midwest, encourages De Kalb County homeowners to complete a careful property inspection following Thursday’s storm.

What the National Weather Service Confirmed

The storm report was documented in the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center archive and attributed to NWS Chicago (LOT). Homeowners can access official NWS forecasts, archived storm data, and current watches and warnings for northern Illinois at weather.gov. The confirmed details from the August 21 event are as follows:

• Date and time: August 21, 2026, at approximately 3:09 PM CDT
• Location: Approximately 3 miles east of Sycamore, De Kalb County, Illinois
• Hail size: 1.00 inch in diameter (quarter-size)
• Reporting method: mPING citizen science application, attributed to NWS Chicago
• Storm context: Part of a line of severe thunderstorms that moved through northern Illinois during the afternoon and evening of August 21, 2026

The SPC storm report archive is the primary federal database for verified severe weather observations across the United States. NWS Chicago’s attribution of this report confirms that the observation was collected and recorded through established weather reporting channels. The mPING reporting app is a National Severe Storms Laboratory citizen science tool used by the NWS to supplement its professional observation network.

What Homeowners in Sycamore and DeKalb Should Check Now

A systematic post-storm property inspection is the most important step you can take after a hail event — both to identify damage early and to begin building the documentation record your insurance carrier will need. Work through each area below carefully, and photograph anything that looks out of place before touching or disturbing it.

Roof

Your roof absorbs the most direct impact from hail. Most hail damage at this size is not clearly visible from ground level, which is why Allied recommends having a licensed contractor conduct a professional roof inspection rather than attempting to climb onto the roof yourself. From the ground or from ladder height at the eaves, you may be able to observe:

• Bruised or cratered asphalt shingles — dark, soft spots where the granule layer has been knocked loose or compressed by impact
• Areas of heavy granule loss exposing the underlying fiberglass mat beneath the shingle surface
• Dented or cracked metal components, including ridge caps, drip edge, pipe boots, and step flashing
• Impact marks on chimney caps, metal vent covers, or exposed lead flashing

Even when a roof appears intact from the yard, quarter-size hail can cause functional damage that allows water penetration during subsequent rain events — making prompt inspection important regardless of what you can or cannot see from the ground.

Siding

Walk the full perimeter of your home and any outbuildings and look carefully for:

• Cracks, chips, or punctures in vinyl or aluminum siding panels
• Dents along the face of aluminum or steel siding
• Chipped paint or surface fractures on wood or fiber cement siding
• Impact marks on window frames, trim boards, fascia, and corner posts

Check at multiple angles and in different lighting conditions — siding damage can be easy to miss on a single pass, particularly on textured or darker-colored panels.

Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters and downspouts are among the most reliable visual indicators of a hail event’s severity. Inspect the face of each gutter channel and the full length of every downspout for visible dents. Also look inside the gutters themselves for accumulated granules — granule loss from shingles washes directly into gutters after a storm, and heavy accumulation is a strong indicator that the roof surface experienced significant impact force.

Windows, Skylights, and Exterior Fixtures

Examine window frames, sills, and any exposed aluminum or wood trim for impact marks or cracking. Check any skylights for fractured glazing or compromised seals around the frame. Inspect exterior light fixtures, HVAC condenser units, window air conditioners, and any other roof- or wall-mounted equipment for visible denting or surface damage.

Trees, Landscaping, and Outdoor Structures

Stripped leaves, snapped small branches, and scattered debris across a yard after a storm often point to hail rather than wind alone. Inspect decks, fences, garden sheds, and pergolas for surface impact damage, and check for fallen limbs that may have come to rest against the house, garage, or other structures.

Water Intrusion

In the days following Thursday’s storm, check your attic space for signs of new water infiltration — look for wet insulation, water stains on sheathing, or daylight visible through the roof deck. Watch interior ceilings for water stains, bubbling paint, or soft spots. Small roof penetrations may not produce visible leaks until the next significant rain event, so proactive monitoring now reduces the risk of mold growth and structural damage later.

If You Find Damage

If your inspection reveals potential storm damage, here is how to proceed safely and effectively:

1. Document before you disturb anything. Take dated photographs and video of all observed damage — wide-angle shots to establish context, close-ups to capture detail. Organized, timestamped documentation is the foundation of a well-supported insurance claim and helps your restoration contractor prepare an accurate repair estimate.
2. Contact your homeowner’s insurance carrier. Report your potential claim as soon as possible and ask about the process for scheduling an adjuster inspection. Keep a written log of every conversation, including the date, the name of the representative, and what was discussed.
3. Schedule a professional inspection with a licensed restoration contractor. A licensed contractor can assess damage systematically, prepare a detailed written repair estimate, and meet with your insurance adjuster on-site to ensure all covered damage is accurately identified. Allied Emergency Services — IL Licensed Roofing Contractor #104.019029, IICRC Certified Restoration Firm #70133670 — has served De Kalb County and the broader northern Illinois region for 27 years. Learn more about what the storm damage restoration process involves at our storm damage restoration resource page.
4. Be cautious of unsolicited contractors. After significant weather events, unlicensed contractors sometimes canvass affected neighborhoods offering quick repairs. Always verify a contractor’s Illinois license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation before signing any agreement or making any payment.

A note on insurance claims: Allied Emergency Services is a licensed restoration contractor. We document damage, provide detailed repair estimates, and can meet with your insurance adjuster on-site during the inspection process. As a restoration contractor, Allied does not negotiate, settle, or adjust insurance claims on your behalf — that function belongs to your insurer’s adjuster or, if you choose to engage one, a separately licensed public adjuster.

For general guidance on preparing for and recovering from severe weather events, ready.gov provides federally reviewed resources on emergency preparedness and disaster recovery.

This article is provided as general information only and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. For guidance specific to your claim or situation, consult a licensed attorney or public adjuster.

Contact Allied Emergency Services — Available 24/7

If you are in Sycamore, DeKalb, or anywhere in De Kalb County and want a professional damage assessment following Thursday’s storm, Allied Emergency Services is available around the clock — including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Call: (800) 792-0212 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Text ESTIMATE to (844) 907-2546

Allied Emergency Services has served homeowners and commercial property owners across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and the broader Midwest for 27 years. We are an Illinois-licensed roofing and restoration contractor, IICRC Certified Restoration Firm, and EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm. When a storm affects your neighborhood, we respond quickly so you can recover faster. Visit our storm damage restoration page for more on our services and what to expect from the restoration process.