Early this week, residents in St. Clair County experienced some severe weather as this major storm season continues to ramp up. Here’s the overview of what occurred:
- What: Hail, 1-2.5 in. diameter
- When: July 17, 2023
- Where: Belleville and Florissant, Illinois
What It Means for Your Home
StormerSite reported on its website that the greater St. Clair County area saw heavy thunderstorms and hail the size of golf balls falling across the area for much of last week.
Those are some huge concerns for local residents – but what exactly does that mean for your home?
Hail: How Dangerous Can It Be?
Generally, hail that is greater than 1″ in diameter will cause damage and warrants a professional inspection. Hail this size can create dents in shingles as well as bruising in the underlayment. You may see dents in your gutters and fascia, while siding can become dented or even cracked. Hail can tear holes in window and door screens, and shingles will experience granule loss – this will be obvious from an excessive amount of granules in your gutter downspouts.
Larger hail, in the range of 1.5″ to 2″ in diameter, is even more destructive. In addition to the above problems, the hail of this size can begin to penetrate softer parts of the roof like ridge caps and plastic roof vents. Siding is more likely to crack and break – you may even see your siding tear off entirely from the combined pressure of hail strikes and high winds. Windows and doors may show cracks in their glass from hail impacts. Most metal fixtures will begin to show damage.
Ways To Stay Safe Before & During The Storm
Before the hail hits, be sure to clear your eavestroughs of debris to minimize ice dams or water damage. Inspect your roof for damage, repair any problem areas, and remove weak branches or trees in close proximity to your home. Be sure to store patio furniture and outdoor accessories in an enclosed space, and move vehicles into a garage or use a hail protector cover to avoid costly repairs.
During the storm, avoid finding shelter under trees or in areas like culverts that can suddenly fill with water. Stay indoors and away from windows, glass doors, and skylights. Close drapes or blinds to protect yourself from broken glass and flying debris. Take special care to keep pets indoors and provide shelter for farm animals. Avoid driving if possible, but if you’re on the road when the storm hits, avoid any flooded roads and pull into a gas station or other covered structure. Make sure to angle your vehicle so that hail hits the reinforced windshield rather than the side and back windows.
St. Clair County Storm Damage Resources
St. Clair County Office of Emergency Management
The St. Clair County Office of Emergency Management Facebook page helpfully provides adequate emergency response information within the local community. These informative guides are designed to help St. Clair County residents in the event of the county reports any storm damage to their properties, which will assist the National Weather Service in evaluating the extent of the damage to the area as well as the severity of the storm.
Freedom Restoration and Roofing
Freedom Restoration and Roofing have been faithfully serving St. Clair County and the surrounding areas for over ten years. If you’ve found yourself facing roof damage from the recent hail and wind storms in the area – don’t wait. Call Illinois’s trusted roofing company to schedule a free inspection and let us help you keep your property safe this storm season.
