How does hail damage crops, animals and buildings?
Hail bruises and shreds leaves, strips fruit, breaks stems and can flatten a crop in minutes. Young plants may recover, while crops near harvest or fruit trees in bloom often cannot. Hail can also dent roofs and vehicles, break greenhouse glazing and plastic, and injure animals left in the open.
How much harm it causes depends on the size of the stones, the wind, the stage of the crop and how long the storm lasts. The same storm can be a nuisance for pasture and a disaster for a vegetable grower.
Fruit and vegetable growers face the added problem that even small marks can lower the market value of a crop that survives, so cosmetic damage can still cost money.
Where is hail most likely?
Hail can occur in many regions, and it is most common in some parts of the country more than others. The National Weather Service and your state climatologist can explain how often severe storms occur in your area, and your extension office may know which parts of your county get hit repeatedly. Past history on your own land is useful, so note the dates and what was damaged.
Do not assume that a lack of hail in recent years means the risk is gone.
- Keep a note of every hail event on your land
- Ask neighbors about past storms
- Check with the county extension office about local patterns
What protection options exist for gardens and small farms?
Physical protection is possible on a small scale. Hail netting over orchards, berry plantings or high-value beds can absorb the impact of stones, though it costs money and labor to install and must be anchored well against wind. Low tunnels, hoops with strong cover, and cold frames protect small plantings, and a temporary cover such as a sturdy tarp can save a few plants when a storm is on its way.
Greenhouses and hoop houses vary in strength. Ask the manufacturer or an extension specialist about whether covers can take impact, and whether you should remove some coverings in a hail forecast.
How do you protect animals and equipment?
Bring animals into shelter whenever hail is forecast, if they can be moved safely. Animals caught in the open can be injured, panicked or driven through fences. Provide shelter that has a strong roof and does not trap them. Park vehicles and equipment inside buildings or under sturdy cover.
Watch your watches and warnings. A severe thunderstorm warning from the National Weather Service means you should act now, not finish the job you were doing.
After a storm, check animals for welts, cuts and eye injuries, and call your veterinarian about anything that concerns you.
- Move animals to strong shelter before the storm arrives
- Put tractors and vehicles under cover
- Keep people out of the open during active hail
What is insurance and how does it fit?
Because hail is so patchy, many growers consider crop insurance or farm property coverage. Policies differ in what they cover, in deadlines to report damage and in how losses are measured. Ask a licensed insurance agent how hail is treated and what steps you must take after a storm, since delays can affect a claim.
The USDA Risk Management Agency and local Farm Service Agency office can explain federal programs. This article is not financial advice, so confirm details with an agent or the agency.
What should you do right after a hailstorm?
Check people and animals first, then buildings and utilities. Photograph the damage, including a few photos of hailstones beside a coin or ruler if you can, and note the date and time. Do not remove damaged crops until you have contacted your insurer or the agency that may need to inspect them.
Take care on slippery roofs and ground, and be careful with broken glass and damaged power lines.
How do you plan for next time?
Think about what you can diversify. Planting in several fields, staggering planting dates, or growing some crops under cover spreads the risk so that one storm does not take everything. Keep an emergency fund if possible and a list of who to call after a loss.
Over time, note which crops and areas come back from hail damage and which do not. That record helps you decide what to protect and where to plant.
Talk with neighbors and your extension office about what has worked locally, since growers who have lived through hail often have the best practical ideas.
Key takeaways
- Hail is patchy and unpredictable, so planning is about reducing the impact, not preventing it.
- Protect animals and equipment with sturdy cover whenever a warning is issued.
- Ask a licensed insurance agent how hail losses are reported and what deadlines apply.
- Photograph damage and wait to clear crops until you have contacted your insurer or agency.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.