November 12, 2026 Hail Storm Hits Maryland and Pennsylvania: Aluminum Siding Damage May Go Unnoticed
Quarter-sized hail reported in Cecil, Lancaster, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, with larger hail reported in Bucks County.
On Thursday, November 12, 2026, a series of severe thunderstorms moved through portions of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, producing hail, damaging winds and even a reported tornado in Delaware. Hailstones measuring 1 inch in diameter were reported in several Maryland and Pennsylvania communities, with hail as large as 1.5 inches reported in Bucks County, PA.
While most homeowners associate hail damage with roofing, aluminum siding is particularly vulnerable to hailstones of this size. Even quarter-sized hail can leave permanent dents across one or more sides of a home, and those dents aren't always visible without a professional inspection.
At JP Construction Services, we've spent more than 20 years working on roofing, siding and storm damage restoration throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania. Aluminum siding hail damage is one of our specialties, and we know from experience that homeowners frequently overlook damage that can be extensive.
If your home was in or near the path of the November 12 storms, particularly if you have aluminum siding, here's what you should know.
November 12, 2026: Reported Hail Locations in Maryland and Pennsylvania
According to preliminary storm reports compiled from the National Weather Service and NOAA's Storm Prediction Center, hail was reported in the following locations on November 12, 2026.
Location | County | Reported hail size |
North East, MD | Cecil | 1.00" |
Elkton, MD | Cecil | 1.00" |
New Holland, PA | Lancaster | 1.00" |
Wallingford, PA | Delaware | 1.00" |
Bridgeport, PA | Montgomery | 1.00" |
Ambler, PA | Montgomery | 1.00" |
Northampton Township, PA | Bucks | 1.50" |
Tacony, PA | Philadelphia | 1.00" |
Plymouth Township, PA | Montgomery | 1.00" |
Northeast of New Holland, PA | Lancaster | 1.00" |
These reports represent individual observations of hail, not necessarily 10 separate storms. The Wallingford report was recorded near Nether Providence Township, while the second New Holland report was approximately two miles northeast of town.
The reports are preliminary and may be revised as additional information becomes available.
Storm documentation and additional information:
It's important to understand that a reported hail location is simply where someone documented the storm. It does not mean hail was limited to that particular town or neighborhood. Nearby communities may have experienced similar conditions without anyone submitting an official report.
Likewise, a reported hailstone size does not establish the size of hail that struck every nearby home.
Why Aluminum Siding Homeowners Should Pay Particular Attention
When homeowners hear that quarter-sized hail fell in their area, their first concern is often their roof. That's understandable, but aluminum siding can be damaged by hailstones that leave little or no meaningful damage to modern architectural roofing shingles.
Aluminum is a relatively soft metal. When hailstones strike the surface, they can leave small, permanent indentations. Depending on the storm's intensity, wind direction and the home's exposure, there may be dozens, hundreds or even thousands of these dents across the siding.
The most frustrating part is that you can have significant hail denting on your aluminum siding and not even realize it. Many dents are shallow and difficult to see unless sunlight strikes the siding at just the right angle. We've inspected homes where the owner was convinced there was no damage, only to discover extensive denting along entire elevations.
Sometimes the damage resembles tiny BB-gun impressions scattered across the siding. Other times, the dents are larger and easier to recognize. We've documented this extensively in our article 13 Real Photos of Hail Damage to Aluminum Siding: What to Look For.
Why a Professional Aluminum Siding Inspection Matters
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make after a hailstorm is assuming that if they can't see any damage from the street, their siding must be fine.
Hail damage to aluminum siding can be surprisingly difficult to identify.
The direction of the sunlight makes a tremendous difference. Dents that are nearly invisible at noon may become obvious later in the afternoon when the sun shines across the siding at a lower angle.
Wind direction matters, too. One side of your house may have extensive hail damage while the opposite side has virtually none. An experienced siding contractor knows where to look, how to distinguish hail impacts from ordinary wear or unrelated damage, and how to document legitimate storm damage.
A proper inspection should include the aluminum siding itself, along with exposed aluminum trim capping, fascia, gutters, downspouts and other exterior components.
For a closer explanation of why homeowners miss these signs, read our article Hail Damage to Aluminum Siding in Bel Air, MD: What Homeowners Often Miss.
Can 1-Inch Hail Damage Your Roof?
Yes, although that doesn't mean every home exposed to 1-inch hail has roof damage.
Modern architectural asphalt shingles are generally more resistant to hail impacts than aluminum siding. Quarter-sized hail may leave no functional damage to a relatively new, properly installed architectural shingle roof.
However, roof age, shingle condition, hailstone density, wind speed and impact angle all influence the potential for damage. Larger hailstones, including the 1.5-inch hail reported in portions of Pennsylvania on November 12, raise additional concerns.
Hail can cause granule loss, bruising or fractures in asphalt shingles. It can also dent metal roof vents, flashing and other exposed roofing components. The important thing is to have the roof evaluated rather than assume that a severe storm automatically means it needs replacement.
A house can have substantial aluminum siding damage while the roof remains perfectly serviceable. We've seen this situation many times.
What About Vinyl Siding, Gutters and Aluminum Trim?
Unlike aluminum siding, vinyl siding generally doesn't dent. Instead, sufficiently strong hail impacts can crack, puncture or break vinyl panels, particularly older or more brittle siding.
Gutters and downspouts are another matter. Because they're commonly manufactured from aluminum, they're vulnerable to many of the same impacts that dent aluminum siding.
Window trim capping, fascia wrapping and other exposed aluminum surfaces can also sustain damage. Sometimes these smaller metal components provide useful clues about the severity and direction of the hailstorm, even when other damage is difficult to see.
Can Hail-Damaged Aluminum Siding Be Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
Hail is a covered peril under many homeowners insurance policies, but coverage for dented aluminum siding depends on the individual policy, exclusions, deductibles and how the damage is classified. Some policies provide coverage for cosmetic hail damage, while others contain cosmetic-damage exclusions or limitations.
Another issue is that many older aluminum siding products are no longer manufactured. If the original siding cannot be matched, repairs can become more complicated. Whether replacement of additional siding is covered depends on the policy and applicable state requirements.
This is one reason we recommend having a qualified contractor inspect the property before deciding whether to file an insurance claim.
A legitimate inspection can help establish what was damaged, whether repairs are practical and whether further discussion with your insurance company makes sense.
We've written more about this process in What to Do After a Severe Storm: Should I Call a Roofer or My Insurance Company First?.
What Should Homeowners Do After the November 12 Hailstorm?
What Should Homeowners Do After the November 12 Hailstorm?
If you live in or around North East, Elkton, New Holland, Wallingford, Bridgeport, Ambler, Northampton Township, Tacony or Plymouth Township, and your home has aluminum siding, the most important step is to have it inspected by a contractor who specializes in aluminum siding hail damage.
Unlike many other types of storm damage, hail dents in aluminum siding are extremely difficult for the average homeowner to identify. In fact, most homeowners will never notice them, even when their siding has sustained extensive damage.
The problem is lighting. Small dents in aluminum siding often become visible only when sunlight strikes the surface at a very specific angle. That window of visibility can be brief, and even under favorable lighting conditions, the damage may still be nearly impossible for an untrained eye to recognize.
This is a specialized area of storm damage inspection. Even contractors who regularly install roofing and siding may lack the experience necessary to properly identify and evaluate hail impacts on aluminum siding. It takes an experienced eye to recognize the subtle patterns, distinguish legitimate hail damage from other imperfections, and understand the extent of the damage.
At JP Construction Services, aluminum siding hail damage is one of our specialties. We've spent years inspecting homes where significant hail damage was present but completely unnoticed by the homeowner.
Don't assume your aluminum siding escaped damage simply because it looks fine. If your home was in the path of the November 12 hailstorms, schedule a professional aluminum siding hail damage inspection. It's the most reliable way to determine whether your siding sustained damage.
For additional information, visit our Complete Homeowner Guide to Hail Storms, Wind Damage and Insurance Claims.
JP Construction Services: Aluminum Siding Hail Damage Specialists in Maryland and Pennsylvania
At JP Construction Services, we've been helping homeowners with roofing, siding and exterior restoration projects since 2005. We have extensive experience inspecting hail-damaged aluminum siding, documenting storm impacts and replacing damaged exterior materials. We've also helped homeowners upgrade from older aluminum siding to modern vinyl siding following covered hail losses.
We understand that not every storm causes damage and not every inspection leads to an insurance claim. Our job is to give you an accurate assessment of your home's condition and explain your options.
If your home was affected by the November 12, 2026 hailstorms in Maryland or Pennsylvania, don't assume your aluminum siding escaped damage simply because you can't see dents from the ground. A professional inspection can help you understand what happened to your home and whether any action is necessary.
Call JP Construction Services at (877) 846-9566 to schedule a free hail damage inspection. You can also schedule your free inspection online.
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