Preparing for Hailstorms: Tips to Protect Your Home and Vehicle

Image of hail hitting roof Image of hail hitting roof

Hailstorms can cause considerable damage, as evidenced by the summer storm of 2024 in the Calgary region, which saw nearly $2.8 billion in damages.1 With a rising concentration of assets in urban areas, an increased number of suburban housing developments and growing repair costs,2 Canadians, particularly those living in Western Canada, must take proactive steps to protect their homes and vehicles. Understanding what hailstorms are and their effect on people is key to preparing for them.

Understanding hailstorms

Hail occurs during severe thunderstorms. It forms when water vapour in warm, rising air condenses into water at higher altitudes, producing rain showers, and if cold enough, ice crystals develop around dust particles in the atmosphere. The ice crystals grow as more water freezes onto them, eventually becoming too heavy to remain suspended in the storm, falling as hail.

In Canada, damaging hailstorms typically occur between May and October, when thunderstorms are most frequent.3 In Alberta, the city of Calgary sits in a region termed “hail alley” because of its propensity for hailstorms.4 While Alberta has seen the most expensive hail events in the country, costing property owners and insurers billions in losses, hail can affect every province, particularly British Columbia, the Canadian Prairies and Southern Ontario.5

How much damage can hail cause?

Hailstones can be as large as grapefruits – storm chasers often find the largest hailstones in hail alley.6 Hail of any size can travel at 130 kilometres per hour.7 This impacts crops, buildings and vehicles, and can injure people and animals. An accumulation of hail on power infrastructure can lead to outages. Hail can also cause trees to uproot and lead to flash floods or mudslides. In rare cases, large hailstones can inflict serious injuries or even be fatal.

In the recent Calgary storm, hailstones as large as eggs caused damage to one in five homes.8 Beyond the financial toll of repairing roofs, windows and siding, storms can also have an emotional toll on homeowners and car owners, including worries about whether they have sufficient coverage to recover.

Here are practical tips for preparing before, during and after a hailstorm to help prevent damage.

Before a hailstorm

Roofs, windows and shingles are most vulnerable to damage, along with cars and personal items. The extent of damage depends on wind, hail size and direction. However, you can take steps to help reduce damage before a storm.

Assess your home’s vulnerabilities.

Minimizing damage means understanding your home’s most vulnerable points.

  • Roof inspection: Regularly check for loose or damaged shingles and address weak spots promptly. Consider upgrading to impact-resistant materials.
  • Windows and doors: Inspect and fortify seals to protect against winds and debris. Installing storm shutters adds extra protection and enhances curb appeal.
  • Gutters and downspouts: Keep gutters and downspouts clear of debris to ensure proper drainage. Check for dents and loose brackets.

Secure outdoor items.

Having a plan for securing outdoor belongings can help protect your home and surrounding properties from flying debris.

  • Move or cover: Bring in or secure items that could become projectiles during high winds – for example, patio furniture, grillsbarbecues, decorations and potted plants. Durable furniture covers or tarps can provide an extra layer of protection.
  • Garage storage: Store bikes, lawn mowers and other outdoor equipment in a garage or shed.

Prepare your vehicle.

Protecting your car or recreational vehicle from hail damage is crucial, as even small hailstorms can cause significant harm.

  • Park in the garage. The first rule of being safe in a hailstorm (staying inside) applies to vehicles, too. If you can, park your vehicle in a garage or under a covered area.
  • Use vehicle covers. For those without a garage, use a high-quality hail cover to protect your vehicle. As a last resort, cover windows and the windshield with floor mats or cardboard, and fold in the side mirrors.

Create an emergency kit.

Assembling a comprehensive emergency kit can improve preparedness for hailstorms. A kit can include:

  • Food and water: According to Health Canada, you should stock up on enough non-perishable food and bottled water to sustain your family for at least three days.9
  • Radio: A hailstorm can damage telecommunications and power infrastructure, so consider adding a battery-powered or hand crank radio to stay updated on weather alerts and emergency instructions. Emergency radios should be able to tune AM, FM and TV VHF channels and cover 530-1710 kHz AM, 88-108 MHz FM and 3-12 MHz SW bands.10
  • Medications and extras: Be sure to pack a first-aid kit, flashlights, extra batteries and any essential medications.
  • Documentation: Be sure to include important documents, such as personal identification and insurance information, in a waterproof container.

During a hailstorm

When hail begins to fall, it’s crucial to take immediate action to ensure personal safety and help minimize potential damage. Here are key steps to follow during a hailstorm.

Stay indoors.

Hailstones, regardless of their size, can cause significant harm when driven by high winds. So stay inside. This simple action is one of the most effective hail safety tips to protect yourself from injury.

Once indoors, it’s essential to secure your home to prevent further damage.

  • Draw curtains and shades to shield against shattering glass.
  • Avoid skylights and glass doors, as they are particularly vulnerable.
  • Retreat to a small interior room on the lowest floor, ideally a basement or cellar. This maximizes structural protection from severe weather.
  • Bring pets inside before the storm hits, ensuring their safety and preventing potential runaways.

If you’re driving when the storm hits, look for shelter under a highway overpass or in a parking garage. If you’re outdoors when a hailstorm begins, move inside as quickly as possible. Look for shelter but avoid going near trees. Hail often comes with lightning, which can strike trees.

Monitor weather updates.

Stay alert to a storm’s path. Use apps and radios for local forecast updates. For example, the Alberta Emergency Management Agency shares vital information on various platforms – TV, radio, websites, social media.11 Its alerts highlight emergencies and offer safety advice.

After a hailstorm

After the storm, the neighbourhood wakes up to signs of damage: dents on cars, broken windows, and marked roofs and siding. Daily life is disrupted as residents work to rebuild. Here are important steps to take after a hailstorm.

 Assess damage.

After the hailstorm, and once it’s safe, check your property for damage.

  • Inspect your home’s outside. Focus on the roof, windows and siding. Look for dents, cracked or missing shingles and broken windows.
  • Check your vehicles. Look for dents or cracked glass.
  • Record what you see. Take photos for insurance, capturing both outside and inside damage.
  • Leave risky jobs to the pros. Be careful when checking your roof. Instead of climbing, use binoculars or zoom in with your camera from the ground. If there is evidence of major damage, a professional roofer can take a better look.

Contact your insurance broker or provider.

After assessing the damage, contact your insurance broker or provider. Review your policies for coverage and deductibles.

Next, gather all documents and photos from your inspection. This helps you detail the damage, including the hailstorm’s date and time. Also, record any temporary repairs or expenses – these might be reimbursed.

Seek professional help.

Some hail damage might not be obvious – that is, to the untrained eye. Professionals such as roofing contractors and auto body shops can spot hidden issues. Here are some tips:

  • Avoid DIY fixes – they might make things worse.
  • For homes, hire a good roofing company for inspections and repairs. Choose companies with a good reputation.
  • For cars, go to a professional auto body shop.
  • For roof repairs, tree removal or major damage, always hire experts.

Learn and adapt.

Following a hailstorm, it is important to take proactive measures to prevent further damage. For example, when it’s time to replace your roof, consider installing impact-resistant roofing materials. These materials are specifically designed to endure severe weather conditions and can help reduce damage from future hailstorms.

Evaluate what measures were effective and which were not. Use this insight to adjust your preparation strategies for the future. Additional measures can include:

  • Investing in a hail car cover or thick weather-proof blankets for protection during severe weather.
  • Knowing where to park when thunderstorm warnings are issued.
  • Making it a habit to regularly check local weather forecasts to be ready for potential severe storms.

Additional resources

Reading this guide can help you better prepare for hailstorms and know what to do during and after the storm. To further increase your knowledge, the following additional resources can help.

By taking these preventive measures and being prepared, it is possible to help protect your home and vehicle from the damaging effects of hailstorms. Staying safe and being proactive can minimize the impact of severe weather on your property. To help ensure appropriate coverage for your home and car, talk to your insurance broker. They can review the policy and make any necessary adjustments.

Sources: 
1 https://www.ibc.ca/news-insights/news/august-hailstorm-in-calgary-results-in-nearly-2-8-billion-in-insured-damage
2 https://www.iclr.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ICLR_Hail-2020_E_2021.pdf
3 https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/mrgnc-mngmnt/ntrl-hzrds/hl-en.aspx
4 https://www.calgary.ca/environment/resources/climate-hazards--hail-and-high-wind.html
5 https://www.ibc.ca/news-insights/news/august-hailstorm-in-calgary-results-in-nearly-2-8-billion-in-insured-damage
6 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-hail-network-northern-hail-project-1.6913962
7 https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/mrgnc-mngmnt/ntrl-hzrds/hl-en.aspx
8 https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/calgary-august-hail-storm-new-record-insured-damages-claims
9 https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-drinking-water-safe-emergency.html
10 https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/faq-en.aspx#a03
11 https://www.alberta.ca/about-emergency-alerts