Harris and Fort Bend counties logged 39 hail reports of 1 inch or larger in 2024. Nearly 74% of owner-occupied homes in the city of Houston were built before 2000. Here is the market by the numbers, compared to Tampa and other metros. Learn more about roof age and home insurance.
- Hail reports 1″+ in Harris and Fort Bend counties, 2025
- 8
- Largest hail since 2021: Needville, Mar 16, 2024
- 2.75″
- Owner-occupied homes in Houston built before 2000
- 73.9%
- Housing units in Harris and Fort Bend counties
- 2.2M
Hail, year by year
Reports of hail 1 inch or larger across Harris and Fort Bend counties. Harris County accounts for the vast majority of severe weather events in the metro area.
| Year | Harris: all / 1″+ / 2″+ · largest | Fort Bend: all / 1″+ / 2″+ · largest | Hail days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13 / 8 / 0 · 1.50″ Apr 15 | 0 / 0 / 0 | 3 |
| 2022 | 0 / 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 / 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 28 / 27 / 8 · 2.00″ Apr 5 | 3 / 3 / 0 · 1.50″ Apr 5 | 8 |
| 2024 | 28 / 25 / 0 · 1.75″ May 28 | 11 / 11 / 3 · 2.75″ Mar 16 | 10 |
| 2025 | 8 / 8 / 0 · 1.75″ Aug 18 | 0 / 0 / 0 | 3 |
| 2026 (Jan–Jun) | 7 / 7 / 0 · 1.25″ Apr 30 | 4 / 4 / 0 · 1.50″ Apr 30 | 3 |
The latest hail days
- Aug 28, 2026 · 1.00″near Spring, Harris County
- Jun 2, 2026 · up to 1.00″4 reports, largest near Louetta, Harris County
- May 9, 2026 · 1.00″near Clodine, Fort Bend County
- Apr 30, 2026 · up to 1.50″6 reports, largest near Smada, Fort Bend County
How old the homes are
The city of Houston carries older housing stock, while Fort Bend County has seen massive recent development, with nearly 37% of owner homes built in 2010 or later.
| Area | Housing units | Owner-occupied | Median year built (owners) | Owner homes built before 2000 | Built 2010+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Houston | 1,040,576 | 42.1% | 1977 | 73.9% | 13.6% |
| Harris County | 1,917,790 | 54.7% | 1990 | 61.7% | 18.6% |
| Fort Bend County | 305,633 | 77% | 2005 | 37.3% | 37% |
ZIP codes with the oldest owner-occupied homes
ZIP codes in the Houston market with at least 3,000 housing units and 60% owner-occupied, ranked oldest first.
| ZIP | County | Housing units | Owner-occupied | Median year built (owners) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77029 | Harris County | 6,292 | 65.6% | 1956 |
| 77502 | Harris County | 11,595 | 63.4% | 1959 |
| 77016 | Harris County | 11,218 | 61.2% | 1966 |
| 77018 | Harris County | 13,831 | 67.5% | 1966 |
| 77037 | Harris County | 5,475 | 64.2% | 1969 |
Texas rules every Houston roofer works under
- Never waive the deductible.Texas Business & Commerce Code makes it a criminal offense for a contractor to offer to waive, rebate or absorb a policyholder’s deductible, and insurers increasingly require proof of payment.
- Put the deductible notice in the contract.A roofing contract paid by insurance must carry the standard deductible warning notice in 12-point bold type.
- Houston requires a re-roof permit.The City of Houston strictly requires a Residential Roofing Permit for full replacements and overlays, subject to the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) with local decking and wind resistance amendments.
- Claim deadlines are tight.Homeowners typically have exactly one year from the date of loss to file a wind or hail claim in Texas, making immediate post-storm inspections critical.
The market figures above are public records. Scout Data’s roof lists are a separate product.
Frequently asked questions
How often does Houston get severe hail?
It happens every year. Harris and Fort Bend counties have recorded severe hail every year since 2021, peaking at 10 hail days and 39 reports of 1 inch or larger in 2024.
Which Houston ZIP codes have the oldest homes?
Among ZIPs with at least 3,000 homes and mostly owner-occupied, 77029, 77502, and 77018 in Harris County have the oldest housing stock, with median build years before 1967.
Can a Texas roofer pay the homeowner’s deductible?
No. Texas Business & Commerce Code strictly prohibits contractors from waiving, rebating, or absorbing any portion of an insurance deductible, classifying it as a criminal offense.