North Idaho Storm Damage: What to Check After the May 28, 2026 Storms
Severe thunderstorms moved through north Idaho on the evening of Thursday, May 28, 2026. If you live in the Panhandle and haven't had your roof checked since, here's what NOAA recorded that night, how to spot hail and wind damage, and how to handle an insurance claim.
- NOAA's Storm Prediction Center put 10 north Idaho counties, including Kootenai, Bonner, Boundary, Benewah, and Shoshone, under Severe Thunderstorm Watch 249 from 3:20 pm to midnight PDT on May 28, 2026.
- Storm reports that night included trees through houses in Naples, a tree through a cabin roof near Coolin, and hail about 1 inch across near Santa, in Clarkia, and in Bovill.
- Hail damage is hard to see from the ground. Look for granules in your gutters, dents in metal, and damage around the yard, then get a free roof inspection.
- If you find damage, report it to your insurance company as soon as you decide to file, and ask how long you have to file a claim.
On this page
- What Happened in the May 28, 2026 North Idaho Storms?
- What Does Hail and Wind Damage Look Like on a Roof?
- Is It Too Late to Check Your Roof for May Storm Damage?
- What Should You Do if You Think the Storm Damaged Your Roof?
- Does Insurance Cover Hail and Wind Damage in Idaho?
- Who Inspects Storm Damaged Roofs in North Idaho?
What Happened in the May 28, 2026 North Idaho Storms?
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch 249 for 10 north Idaho counties from 3:20 pm to midnight PDT on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The watch warned of possible wind gusts to 75 mph and hail up to 1.5 inches.
| Detail | Watch 249 |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, May 28, 2026 |
| Time | 3:20 pm to midnight PDT |
| Idaho counties | Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, Shoshone |
| Threats listed | Damaging winds with isolated gusts to 75 mph possible; isolated hail to 1.5 inches possible |
A watch means conditions were right for severe storms, not that every county was hit. The storm reports NOAA logged in the Panhandle that evening were:
- Naples (Boundary County): wind damage, with trees through houses, power outages, and highways blocked by downed trees and power lines
- Near Coolin and Priest Lake (Bonner County): a tree through the roof of a cabin and an estimated 20 to 30 trees down along Reeder Bay Road
- Near Tensed (Benewah County): downed trees blocking roads and pea-sized hail
- Near Santa (Benewah County), Clarkia (Shoshone County), and Bovill (Latah County): hail about 1 inch across
NOAA's preliminary report log for that day lists no reports from Kootenai County. That doesn't rule out damage there: the log only holds the reports NOAA received, and hail can damage one roof and miss the house next door.
What Does Hail and Wind Damage Look Like on a Roof?
On asphalt shingles, hail leaves small divots, round black spots, bruises, and granule loss that collects in gutters and downspouts. Wind lifts or tears off shingles, so check the edges and the ridge too.
Hail hits on shingles
Small divots, round black spots, and bruises where hail knocked the granules loose. These are hard to see from the ground.
Granules in the gutters
An unusual amount of dark, sand-like granules in your gutters and downspouts after a storm can be a sign of hail. Photograph it before the next rain washes it away.
Missing or lifted shingles
Look for bare spots, exposed underlayment, and shingles in the yard. Lifted shingles can let water in on the next rain.
Damage around the yard
Plants stripped of their leaves, dents in cars, and damaged air conditioner units point to hail even when the roof looks fine from below.
A roofer also checks the flashing, roof vents, skylights, gutters, and chimney caps. Some marks look like hail but aren't, so the inspection should tell storm damage apart from wear. See what's in a HAAG certified roof inspection.
Is It Too Late to Check Your Roof for May Storm Damage?
No. Hail damage can stay hidden until it leaks, and claim deadlines depend on your policy. The Idaho Department of Insurance tells homeowners to ask their insurance company how long they have to file a claim.
Have the roof inspected before winter, while it's still dry enough to work on. If the May storms damaged it, it's better to find out now than when snow is melting into the attic.
What Should You Do if You Think the Storm Damaged Your Roof?
Photograph what you can see from the ground, get a free roof inspection, and if there's damage, report it to your insurance company. Cover any openings with a tarp and keep the receipts.
- Photograph the damage
Take photos and video of everything you can see from the ground, including granules in the gutters, dented metal, and damage around the yard. Don't climb onto the roof.
- Get a free inspection
Our HAAG certified inspectors get on the roof and document what they find in a written report with photos. Inspections are free.
- Report the claim
If the damage looks like more than your deductible, report it to your insurance company as soon as you decide to file. Get a claim number, ask how long you have to file, and ask whether you have a separate deductible for wind or hail.
- Meet the adjuster
The adjuster inspects the roof and takes photos and measurements. We can be there to show the adjuster what we found.
- Repair with a registered contractor
Don't make permanent repairs before talking with your insurer. Use a registered contractor who doesn't ask for a large payment upfront.
Active leak?If water is getting in, call (208) 661-1781. We typically respond to storm damage the same day, within 24 hours, to tarp the roof. Keep all receipts for emergency repairs for your insurance company.
For the full claim process, including what to do if you disagree with the adjuster, read how to file a roof insurance claim in Idaho.
Does Insurance Cover Hail and Wind Damage in Idaho?
Usually. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners says homeowners policies in most states cover windstorm and hail damage. What you're paid depends on your policy, your deductible, and whether it pays replacement cost or actual cash value.
We work directly with insurance adjusters across North Idaho, and we'll tell you after the inspection whether the damage is likely to support a claim. We don't pressure anyone to file.
Who Inspects Storm Damaged Roofs in North Idaho?
Lakeview Roofing & Restoration, a family-owned roofer based in Rathdrum, inspects storm damaged roofs for free across Kootenai and Bonner counties and the rest of North Idaho.
We're HAAG certified, an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, and BBB A+ rated. If the storm didn't damage your roof, we'll tell you that too. See our storm damage restoration service, or if wind damaged your roof, read what to do first.
Get a Free Storm Damage Inspection
Our HAAG certified inspectors will check your roof, document what they find, and tell you straight whether there's storm damage. No charge, no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the May 2026 thunderstorms cause roof damage in North Idaho?
Storm reports on May 28, 2026 included trees through houses in Naples, a tree through a cabin roof near Coolin, and hail about 1 inch across near Santa, in Clarkia, and in Bovill. Whether your roof was damaged depends on where the storms hit, so an inspection is the reliable way to know.
Which counties were under the May 28, 2026 severe thunderstorm watch?
Severe Thunderstorm Watch 249 covered Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone counties in Idaho, from 3:20 pm to midnight PDT.
How do I know if my roof was damaged in the storm?
Look for missing or lifted shingles, granules in gutters and downspouts, dents in metal, and damage around the yard such as stripped plants or dented cars. Hail damage on shingles is often hard to see from the ground, so get a free inspection.
Does homeowners insurance cover hail and wind damage in Idaho?
Usually. Homeowners policies in most states cover windstorm and hail damage, but what you're paid depends on your policy, your deductible, and whether it pays replacement cost or actual cash value.
How long do I have to file a storm damage claim?
It depends on your policy. Ask your insurance company how long you have to file, and report the damage as soon as you decide to file a claim.
What should I do if I have an active leak right now?
Call (208) 661-1781. Lakeview typically responds to storm damage the same day, within 24 hours, to tarp the roof. Photograph the damage and keep receipts for any emergency repairs.
About this guide. Written by Lakeview Roofing & Restoration, a family-owned roofing company in Rathdrum, Idaho, and an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor with HAAG certified inspectors. Facts in this guide were checked against the sources listed below.
Sources
- NOAA Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 249 (May 28, 2026)
- NOAA Storm Prediction Center, Watch 249 county list
- NOAA Storm Prediction Center, Storm Reports for May 28, 2026
- Owens Corning, Roof Hail Damage
- Idaho Department of Insurance, Post-Disaster Claims Guide
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners, A Consumer's Guide to Home Insurance (2022)