Last night, our area experienced a significant hail event. The strongest storms produced large hail and localized damage reports, especially across parts of Johnson, Cedar, Linn, and Lee counties.
Notable hail reports included:
• 2.75″ hail reported 3 miles southwest of West Branch
• 2.50″ hail reported near Iowa City
• 2.00″ hail reported 3 miles SSE of Cedar Rapids
As homeowners begin assessing damage today, the Iowa City Area Home Builders Association wants to remind the community to take a careful and informed approach when seeking repairs.
After major storms, it is common for out-of-town contractors—often referred to as “storm chasers”—to move into affected areas offering quick repairs. While some may seem helpful, homeowners should use caution before signing contracts or making payments.
We encourage residents to follow these important steps:
- Contact your insurance carrier first before agreeing to any repair work.
- Be cautious of contractors who show up uninvited and offer immediate repairs.
- Do not pay money upfront to out-of-town contractors.
- Check references, verify credentials, and work with trusted professionals.
Choosing a reputable local contractor helps protect both your home and your investment. Members of the Iowa City Area Home Builders Association and the Cedar Rapids Home Builders Association are committed to serving our communities with professionalism and integrity.
You can find a directory of trusted HBA members here:
https://hbaofic.org/member-directory/
If you have questions or need help finding a reputable contractor, please contact our office at 319-351-5333
You may also contact current HBA President Tim Ruth at 319-330-9096 with questions.
Building Homes. Enriching Communities. Changing Lives.
We are the Iowa City Area Home Builders Association — trusted for many years to help build our communities.
