October 13, 2026: NOAA's SPC logged 2 hail reports around Topeka, all in Shawnee County, between 22:25 and 22:27 UTC. Hail peaked at 1.75 in. at 7 SSE Silver Lake, Shawnee County. Nearest to Topeka was a report 6.9 miles out (7 SSE Silver Lake).
Where the hail fell
- under 0.75 in
- 0.75 to 0.99
- 1.00 to 1.74
- 1.75 to 2.49
- 2.50 and up
How many reports fell close to the city
| Distance from city center | Reports | Largest hail |
|---|---|---|
| Within 5 miles | 0 | — |
| Within 10 miles | 2 | 1.75″ |
| Within 25 miles | 2 | 1.75″ |
Reported hail, report by report
| Time (UTC) | Hail size | Location | Distance from city center |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22:25 | 1.75″ | 7 SSE Silver Lake, Shawnee County | 6.9 mi |
| 22:27 | 1.00″ | 7 WNW Pauline, Shawnee County | 6.9 mi |
The rows above come from preliminary Local Storm Reports of the NOAA Storm Prediction Center. Sizes are reported hailstone diameters; times are UTC. Reports can be added or corrected for about a day after the event. Where a report carries no distance, it is measured in a straight line from its coordinates to the city center.
What 1.75 in. hail on October 13, 2026 means for a Topeka roof
| Size class | Reports | Share | Largest report in class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.00 to 1.74 in | 1 | 50% | 7 WNW Pauline, 22:27 UTC |
| 1.75 to 2.49 in | 1 | 50% | 7 SSE Silver Lake, 22:25 UTC |
2 of the 2 sized Topeka reports reached 1 in. The 1.75 in. stone at 7 SSE Silver Lake, Shawnee County falls in the 1.75 to 2.49 in class; on October 13, 2026 that is golf ball to hen egg territory for Topeka.
How this day compares with other hail days
Topeka has 3 hail days in our NOAA log; by largest hailstone, October 13, 2026 ranks #1 of them. Logged days closest in time to October 13, 2026:
The same storm in nearby cities
On October 13 the log holds 1 matched city in 1 state; Topeka has no neighbour within 220 miles, so its hail stood alone on October 13.
A dated plan for the Topeka storm
Topeka: that storm was 2 days ago. Rows marked passed are not cut-off dates on their own; the only legal limits are the ones tagged statute. For Topeka the photo window, the inspection and the target filing date (Tue, Oct 20) are already behind us.
- From the ground, check gutters, downspouts, vents, screens, window sills and car roofs. Dated photos taken on these three days tie the damage to the storm. If water is getting in, tarp it and keep the receipt.
- Have a local roofer inspect and write a scope with photos. Bruised shingles and lost granules do not show from the ground.
- Our suggested target, not a legal deadline: file with your insurer by this date, with the scope and the NOAA reports for the storm day attached.
- 10 working days after Topeka notice on Tue, Oct 20. Statute text
- 15 working days run from the proof of loss you file, not from Oct 13. Statute text
- Put the adjuster's estimate next to your roofer's scope. Ask for a re-inspection of any line that differs.
- 5 years, counted from a different start point and not from Topeka's storm day. Statute text
Topeka: insurer clocks counted from a claim filed Tue, Oct 20; working-day clocks skip weekends. Claim deadlines for Topeka, KS. Hail claim guide for Kansas. Not legal advice; your own reporting deadline comes from your policy.
October 13 against the Shawnee County October record
Topeka's October 13 log shows 1.75 in. hail. The record October in Shawnee County since 2014 is 2014, with 4 reports and a largest stone of 1.75 in.
Hail history near Topeka: not the first
Topeka’s county has logged 95 hail events since 2017; if this one leads to a replacement, ask about Class 4 impact-resistant shingles, which some insurers discount. Check your own address on the hail risk lookup.
See all roofing contractors in Topeka, KS
Questions about this storm
Topeka, October 13, 2026: how big was the hail?
At 7 SSE Silver Lake, Shawnee County, the largest SPC report was 1.75 in.
Topeka, October 13, 2026: how close did the hail fall?
The nearest report sat 6.9 miles from the city center. Within 10 miles: 2 of 2 reports.
Topeka, October 13, 2026: how long did the hail last?
Reports are stamped from 22:25 to 22:27 UTC, a window of 2 minutes. Late reports can still be added for about a day.
Topeka, October 13, 2026: was this the worst hail day on record?
Topeka has 3 logged hail days; October 13, 2026 ranks #1 for Topeka, at 1.75 in. The best other day reached 1.25 in.
Topeka, October 13, 2026: what dates apply to a Kansas insurer?
A claim filed on Tue, Oct 20 puts Topeka's insurer on the clock: acknowledgment by Tue, Nov 3; decision 15 working days after proof of loss. That is Kansas law, applied to Topeka. Information, not legal advice; Topeka homeowners find their own reporting deadline in the policy.
Do I need an inspection if my roof looks fine?
Often, yes. Hail bruises and granule loss are hard to see from the ground. A dated inspection scope is what ties damage to this storm rather than to ordinary wear.
About these numbers
Every figure on this page comes from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center Local Storm Reports file, matched to reports within 25 miles of the city center. Reports are preliminary: they come from trained spotters, emergency managers, the public and mPING app submissions, and sizes are often estimated against a coin or ball. We do not adjust them. A roofer tagged Verified holds a license or registration we confirmed in a public registry. That tag says nothing about coverage, so ask whoever you pick for a current certificate of insurance before signing.
More Resources
All recent local hail · Roofing contractors · Insurance claim guide · Roof replacement costs here · Emergency roof repair