The National Weather Service in Phoenix named Peoria in two severe thunderstorm warnings this week. The first ran from 3:04 to 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21. The second ran from 1:20 to 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 22, and also listed Vistancia and Sun City West. A warning means radar showed a storm that could produce damaging hail or wind nearby. It does not mean every roof in the listed places was hit.
Where the hail was reported
The Wednesday storm moved north and northeast from Avondale, over Tolleson and downtown Glendale, toward Metro Center. The forecast hail size in the warning grew from quarter size to baseball size as it went. The news stories about broken windows and dented cars came from north Phoenix, near 19th and Peoria avenues, 28th and Peoria avenues, and Peoria and 31st avenues (FOX 10, azfamily). That is Peoria Avenue in Phoenix, not the City of Peoria.
The NWS preliminary storm report for that afternoon has one entry labeled with Peoria: 1-inch hail at 3:25 p.m., described as 4 miles east-northeast of Peoria. Its coordinates (33.60N, 112.17W) put it near 51st Avenue, east of most Peoria neighborhoods. The Thursday warning described quarter-size hail and 60 mph gusts from a storm near Sun City West moving north. We did not find a hail report from inside Peoria for either storm.
Flood Control District of Maricopa County rain gauges in Peoria recorded 0.00 to 0.08 inches in the 24 hours ending 5 a.m. Thursday. Rain gauges do not measure hail, and storm cells can be narrow. So these numbers argue against assuming damage. They do not rule it out at your address.
A sensible check for a Peoria home
- From the ground, look for cracked or slipped tile, piles of granules at downspouts, and fresh dents in soft metal such as vents, gutters and AC unit fins. Our hail roof check guide covers this in more detail.
- Inside, look at ceilings below valleys, skylights and vents. Date and photograph anything new.
- Check cars, patio covers and outdoor furniture. Fresh dings there are a useful clue, and so is their absence.
- Stay off the roof. Wet tile and foam are slippery, and walking on tile can crack it.
If someone knocks on your door
Headlines that say Peoria can bring canvassers to Peoria streets even when the damage was in Phoenix. You do not have to decide anything at the door. Ask for the company’s Arizona contractor license number, a local address, and a written report with photos of your roof, not a neighbor’s. Read anything you are asked to sign, and do not sign over your insurance claim on the spot. Our guide to choosing a trustworthy Arizona roofer lists more questions. If you are weighing a claim, read how roof insurance claims work first. Coverage depends on your policy and your insurer’s review.
Apex Roofing Systems offers a free roof inspection for Peoria homes. We photograph what we find, and we will tell you plainly if we see no storm damage. Call (480) 808-ROOF (7663).
Sources: NWS Phoenix severe thunderstorm warning and updates, Oct. 21; NWS Phoenix severe thunderstorm warning, Oct. 22; NWS Phoenix preliminary local storm report, Oct. 21; Flood Control District of Maricopa County daily precipitation report, 24 hours ending 5 a.m. Oct. 22 (updated daily); FOX 10 Phoenix, Oct. 21; azfamily, Oct. 21.