NEW ULM - The City of New Ulm inspection office reported 630 re-shingling permits issued since the June 25, 2010 hail, thunder and wind storm blew through town.
The National Weather Service (NWS) reported New Ulm received 3.2 inches of rain, hail and damaging winds between 6 and 7:30 p.m. that evening.
New Ulm's three new car dealerships reported hail damage on their vehicles that night.
The damage to local residences was not as readily apparent, but insurance adjusters and roofing contractors have been busy in town since the storm, examining damage to asphalt tiles and looking at dents in steel siding.
Local contracting firms have had all the repair work they can handle, and an influx of out-of-town contractors have come into town as well.
A couple of contractors have rented store fronts on Minnesota Street and taken out memberships in the Chamber of Commerce.
Pallets of roofing tiles and plywood have been common sights in New Ulm, and the sound of nail guns has been constant throughout the summer.
Home repair websites state that hailstorm damage is most obvious on vehicles.
Roofs are as suspectible to hail damage as vehicle hoods, but roof damage is not as readily evident until water seeps through a roof.
Shingle bruises that crack fiberglass membranes may not leak right away but may over time.
Large amounts of roof granules in rain gutters are a sign of shingle damage.
If enough granules are knocked loose, sunshine hits exposed asphalt, further damaging the roof and underlayment.
Fritz Busch can be
e-mailed at
