What actually happened on May 28, 2025

It was the third straight day of severe weather across Central Texas. The storm that rolled through Austin on May 28 produced hail up to 2.75 inches — roughly baseball-sized — along with wind gusts near 77 mph and flash flooding that prompted water rescues across the city and closed parts of I-35. More than 68,000 customers lost power. It was one of the more destructive single-day events the area saw all year.

Hail that size doesn't just dent a few vents. It bruises shingles, fractures the mat underneath, and knocks loose the protective granules that keep your roof watertight. The problem is that a lot of that damage doesn't leak right away. A roof can look perfectly fine from the curb and still be quietly failing — which is exactly how homeowners end up missing the window to do anything about it.

Why one year matters

In Texas, the deadline to file a claim is tied to your specific policy, and most carriers set it at about one year from the date of loss — in this case, May 28, 2025. Your exact window and requirements are spelled out in your own policy, so check it or call your agent. But once that window closes, a carrier can deny a claim outright no matter how real the damage is. The smartest move is to get your roof documented now — even if you ultimately decide not to file.

Read: The real cost of waiting

What to do before the window closes

Pull out your policy and check the date

Find the language on filing deadlines and your "date of loss" requirements. If you're not sure, a quick call to your agent settles it. Knowing your real deadline turns this from a vague worry into a clear decision.

Do a ground-level walk-around

You don't need to get on the roof. Look for dents on metal vents, gutters, downspouts, AC fins, and the flashing around your chimney. Fresh dimples in soft metal are a strong sign the shingles took the same hits. Check the attic for daylight or water staining the next time it rains hard.

Get a documented, HAAG-certified inspection

This is where we come in. Our HAAG-certified inspectors photograph and document every elevation of your roof and hand you the report — whether or not there's damage. We find storm damage on roughly 80–85% of the roofs we inspect after a hail event, and the average insurance claim our customers have recovered is more than $18,000. We can't promise what your carrier will decide — no honest roofer can — but solid documentation puts you in the strongest possible position to have that conversation.

Don't sign anything from a door-knocker

A year out from a big storm, chasers are still working these neighborhoods. If a contractor pressures you to sign a contingency agreement before anyone has even looked at your roof, walk away. A good local roofer inspects first, documents the damage, and then talks to your carrier with you — not for you.

Free 30-minute roof inspection

If your roof was in the path of the May 28, 2025 storm, don't let the filing window close on a question mark. Hive's HAAG-certified inspectors will document your roof for free — no contract, no pressure. We send you the photo report. You decide what to do next.

Schedule Inspection (512) 555-1234

Typical response: same-day or next-day inspection

One Year After the May 28, 2025 Storm — Your Filing Window Is Closing