Storm Damage in Fort Collins, From Hail on the Roof to Water Inside

A Hailstorm the City Remembers

On July 30, 1979, a forty-minute hailstorm dropped baseball- to softball-size stones on Fort Collins, according to the National Weather Service. About 2,000 homes and 2,500 cars were damaged, and roughly 25 people were hurt, mostly by stones striking them on the head.

How Storms Turn Into Water Damage

• Roof openings. Broken shingles, cracked skylights and damaged vents let rain into the attic and ceilings.
• Clogged inlets. The City notes that hail and debris can clog storm inlets, and streets can quickly become stream channels.
• Basement entry. That street water can reach window wells and low doorways. The City warns basements can fill quickly in floods.
• Broken windows. Wind-driven rain soaks walls and floors.

Right After It Passes

• Look at ceilings under the attic for new stains or drips.
• Check window wells and the basement if streets flooded.
• Put buckets under active drips and move valuables away.
• Photograph hail on the ground next to a coin or ruler for scale.

Our Storm Response

1. Protect. Tarps over damaged roofing, boards over broken windows.
2. Extract. Water out of carpet and floors.
3. Assess. Moisture meters and thermal imaging check ceilings, walls and attic insulation.
4. Remove. Wet insulation and sagging ceiling drywall come out.
5. Dry. Dehumidifiers and air movers until readings are normal.
6. Repair. Interior rebuild, coordinated with your roofer.

We photograph roof openings and every affected room for your insurance claim.

If storm water reached the basement, see Fort Collins basement flooding for how we handle it. You'll find our other services on the Fort Collins restoration home page.