Quarter to ping-pong ball hail confirmed across 4 northern Illinois counties, Aug 22

A line of severe thunderstorms swept across northern Illinois on the evening of Saturday, August 22, 2026, leaving a trail of confirmed hail reports stretching from De Kalb County in the east to Carroll County in the northwest and Winnebago County in the northeast. The National Weather Service offices in Chicago (LOT) and Quad Cities (DVN) documented multiple hail events throughout the evening, with stone sizes ranging from quarter-size — one inch in diameter — to ping-pong ball size at one and a half inches. Communities including Sycamore, Machesney Park, Rockford, Mendota, and Savanna now face the task of assessing what the storm left behind.

Hail of this size carries genuine potential for damage to residential and commercial roofing, siding, gutters, and windows. Quarter-size hail sits at the threshold where soft metals like aluminum gutters begin showing visible denting and asphalt shingles can lose protective granules — damage that often goes unnoticed from street level but can accelerate roof aging and contribute to future leaks. Ping-pong ball hail, confirmed near Mendota late Saturday evening, represents a more severe impact level that can bruise and crack shingles, fracture vinyl siding, and break skylights or vent covers. If your property falls within or near these four counties, a careful post-storm inspection is a practical and warranted next step.

What the National Weather Service Confirmed

All hail reports cited here are sourced from NWS storm report logs via the Storm Prediction Center (SPC). The confirmed sequence of hail events on the evening of August 22, 2026, is as follows:

• 8:09 PM CDT — Near Sycamore, De Kalb County: Quarter-size hail (1.00 inch) confirmed by NWS Chicago (LOT) via mPING crowdsourced report.
• 8:55 PM CDT — Near Machesney Park, Winnebago County: Quarter-size hail (1.00 inch) confirmed by NWS Chicago (LOT) via photo submission.
• 11:05 PM CDT — 3 miles north of Mendota, La Salle County: Ping-pong ball hail (1.50 inches) confirmed by NWS Chicago (LOT) via multiple photos.
• 11:49 PM CDT — Near Savanna, Carroll County: Quarter-size hail (1.00 inch) confirmed by NWS Quad Cities (DVN) via broadcast media.

The storm system moved across a broad swath of northern Illinois over the course of several hours. Winnebago County — which includes Machesney Park and the greater Rockford area — was among the earliest impacted, with confirmed hail before 9:00 PM CDT. The system continued through La Salle County and into Carroll County well past 11:00 PM, indicating a prolonged severe weather event rather than an isolated cell. Residents can check the latest storm reports and any subsequent damage surveys directly at weather.gov.

What Homeowners in Sycamore, Machesney Park, Rockford, Mendota, and Savanna Should Check Now

You don’t need to climb on your roof to start a post-storm assessment. A careful walk around your property — and a look into your attic — can reveal a great deal before you ever contact your insurance carrier. Here is what to look for across the most commonly affected areas:

Roof

• From the ground or a ladder at the eave, look for missing, cracked, or visibly bruised shingles. Hail bruising often appears as dark, soft circular impressions in asphalt.
• Check ridge caps and shingle edges for granule loss — shiny or bare patches indicate the protective surface layer has been knocked away.
• Inspect roof vents, pipe boots, flashing, and any skylights for cracks, denting, or displaced seals.

Gutters and Downspouts

• Aluminum gutters are among the most visible indicators of a hail event. Walk the perimeter and look for circular dent patterns along the face and bottom of the gutter trough.
• Check downspouts and gutter end caps for similar impact marks.

Siding

• Vinyl siding can crack, fracture, or puncture under hail impact — inspect south- and west-facing elevations closely, as these typically take the hardest hits.
• Aluminum siding will show denting in patterns similar to what you see on gutters.
• Don’t overlook trim, soffit, and fascia boards, which are often missed during initial walkthroughs.

Windows, Screens, and Doors

• Punctured or torn window screens are a reliable indicator of hail size and storm intensity.
• Check window frames, storm doors, and any glass for cracks, chips, or frame deformation.

Trees, Landscaping, and Outdoor Equipment

• Stripped foliage, broken branches, and shredded garden plants are natural indicators of hail size — significant defoliation often correlates with reportable hail events.
• Inspect AC condenser units for bent or crushed fins, and check wood decking or fencing for spatter marks and impact pitting.

Attic and Interior — Water Intrusion

• Inspect your attic for daylight coming through the roof deck, wet insulation, or water staining around rafters and sheathing.
• Check ceilings on upper floors and near exterior walls for new stains, discoloration, or soft spots.
• If you discover active water intrusion, document it immediately with photos and video, and note the time and date.

If You Find Damage

Hail damage is frequently invisible from street level, and the documentation you gather in the first 48 to 72 hours can play a meaningful role in how your insurance claim is evaluated. Here are the most important steps to take:

Photograph everything before any repairs begin. Walk the full perimeter of your property and photograph every area of concern — roofline, gutters, siding, windows, and any outdoor equipment. Most smartphones embed a timestamp in the image data, which helps establish a clear post-storm timeline.

Notify your insurance carrier promptly. Most homeowner policies require timely reporting of storm damage. Review your policy for specific notice requirements, open a claim, and keep a written log of every conversation including dates, times, and representative names.

Mitigate further damage where you can. If you have an active roof leak or a broken window, your policy generally requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent additional loss. Emergency tarping is acceptable temporary mitigation — save all receipts for materials you purchase.

Engage a licensed restoration contractor for the scope of damage. A licensed contractor can document damage in detail, prepare a line-item repair estimate, and meet with your insurance adjuster on-site to walk through the scope of work. Allied Emergency Services is an Illinois-licensed roofing and restoration contractor — not a public adjuster — and does not negotiate, settle, or adjust insurance claims on behalf of homeowners. What we do: document damage accurately, provide detailed repair estimates, meet adjusters on-site, and perform covered repairs.

Homeowners in the Machesney Park and Rockford area can find more information on our Machesney Park storm damage page and our Rockford storm damage page. Allied has served the greater Midwest for 27 years and maintains 24/7 emergency response capability. We are Illinois-licensed, IICRC certified, and carry EPA Lead-Safe certification.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. Consult your insurance policy and a licensed professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Get a Free Damage Assessment — Available 24/7

If your home or commercial property is located in De Kalb, Winnebago, La Salle, or Carroll County and you suspect damage from the August 22 storms, don’t wait for a ceiling stain to tell you there’s a problem. Allied Emergency Services offers no-obligation damage assessments for storm-affected properties across northern Illinois, including Sycamore, Machesney Park, Rockford, Mendota, and Savanna.

• Call 24/7: (800) 792-0212
• Text ESTIMATE to: (844) 907-2546

A trained restoration specialist will inspect your roof and exterior at no cost and provide an honest, documented assessment of any storm damage found. Early documentation is always in the homeowner’s best interest — reach out today.