Hail history for Rusk County, TX

Rusk County has 243 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 174 of them 1″ or larger and 19 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.5″ (softball) on April 11, 1962.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month April

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 243 since 1957

1″ or larger 174 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 19 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.5″ softball · April 11, 1962

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 Rusk County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 243 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
April 18, 2026	0.88″	Nickel
March 15, 2026	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
March 30, 2025	2.0″	Hen egg
March 30, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 30, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 30, 2025	1.75″	Golf ball
March 30, 2025	1.0″	Quarter
March 15, 2025	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

April 18, 2026 · 0.88″ (nickel)

Nickel size hail reported near New London.

June 13, 2023 · 2.75″ (baseball)

Baseball size hail reported at Henderson High School.

April 9, 2021 · 3.0″ (tea cup)

Teacup size hail fell several miles southeast of Henderson. Report from mPING.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
1	1	7	44	78	30	38	44

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 Rusk County

Has it ever hailed in Rusk County?

Yes — 243 hail events have been recorded for Rusk County, TX in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1957, including 174 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Rusk County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Rusk County, TX is April 18, 2026, with 0.88″ (nickel) 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 Rusk County?

3.5″ (softball), recorded on April 11, 1962. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. 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 Texas hail history

All 254 Texas 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.