Hail history for DeKalb County, TN

DeKalb County has 39 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 23 of them 1″ or larger. The largest on record: 1.75″ (golf ball) on July 21, 2018.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month May

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 39 since 1974

1″ or larger 23 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 0 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 1.75″ golf ball · July 21, 2018

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in DeKalb County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks DeKalb County's peak: May.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 39 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 20, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
May 8, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
May 8, 2025	1.25″	Half dollar
May 6, 2024	1.0″	Quarter
April 7, 2019	1.25″	Half dollar
July 21, 2018	1.75″	Golf ball
July 21, 2018	1.25″	Half dollar
April 5, 2017	0.75″	Penny

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for DeKalb County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

May 20, 2025 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

Half dollar size hail was reported in Dowelltown.

July 21, 2018 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A Twitter report indicated golf ball size hail fell in eastern De Kalb County.

June 30, 2006 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Golf ball size hail occurred in the northern part of the county.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	2	2	6	14	11	4

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in DeKalb County

Has it ever hailed in DeKalb County?

Yes — 39 hail events have been recorded for DeKalb County, TN in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1974, including 23 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in DeKalb County?

The most recent recorded hail event for DeKalb County, TN is May 20, 2025, with 1.25″ (half dollar) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in DeKalb County?

1.75″ (golf ball), recorded on July 21, 2018. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More Tennessee hail history

All 95 Tennessee counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.