Paola, Osawatomie Begin Repairs After Baseball-Sized Hail

State of emergency declared in Miami County, Kansas following severe storm damage.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:50pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray and blue, with heavy clouds dominating the frame and obscuring the details of the buildings and vehicles below, conveying the overwhelming power of the natural disaster.A severe hailstorm leaves a trail of destruction across the Midwest, testing the resilience of local communities.Paola Today

A state of emergency has been declared in Miami County, Kansas, as well as the cities of Paola and Osawatomie, after a severe hailstorm caused widespread damage to homes, cars, and other property. Residents reported seeing baseball-sized hail, which left three-inch holes in windshields and hundreds of dents in siding and roofs. Homeowners and contractors are now rushing to make repairs before more severe weather arrives.

Why it matters

The hailstorm has caused significant damage across the region, with many homes and vehicles sustaining costly repairs. The declaration of a state of emergency could pave the way for federal disaster relief assistance, and local authorities are warning residents to be wary of potential scams as they seek to restore their properties.

The details

The hailstorm on Wednesday evening left a trail of destruction in its wake, with reports of baseball-sized hail causing extensive damage to homes, cars, and other property. At the Sundance Paola Apartments, several windows were broken, and the siding had hundreds of holes two inches wide or more. Homeowner Javier Guzman is already dealing with a broken skylight that allowed rain to leak into his bathroom, and he's concerned about more severe weather on the way.

  • The hailstorm occurred early Wednesday evening in Miami County, Kansas.
  • Residents and contractors began assessing the damage and making repairs on Thursday.

The players

Javier Guzman

A homeowner in Miami County, Kansas, who is dealing with a broken skylight and water damage after the hailstorm.

Greg Walker

The Shinnova Home Field Manager, who warns that the damage to roofs and solar panels must be addressed quickly to prevent further leaks and issues.

Dylan Manchester

A Miami County resident whose car sustained significant damage, including a cracked front windshield and shattered rear windshield.

Miami County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that has advised residents to report hail damage to their homeowner's insurance and to be wary of potential scams as they seek to repair their properties.

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What they’re saying

“Never seen anything like it, it was pretty wild.”

— Javier Guzman, Homeowner

“The damage that's out here is most likely the type of damage that you have to get taken care of as soon as possible. Because if it starts raining again and the hail that we are seeing is impacted the shingles and penetrating to the matting, so eventually you'll start seeing leaks into the roof and homeowner's ceilings and stuff like that.”

— Greg Walker, Shinnova Home Field Manager

“Everyone is out here trying to do their own thing. secure their property, fix their vehicles, fix their roofs and homes and that sort of thing. It will be some time, but hopefully everyone gets taken care of properly.”

— Dylan Manchester, Resident

What’s next

The Miami County Sheriff's Office has advised residents to report any hail damage to their homeowner's insurance, and warns that the widespread damage could potentially lead to FEMA getting involved with relief efforts. Authorities are also cautioning residents to be wary of potential scams and contractors seeking large upfront payments for repairs.

The takeaway

This severe hailstorm has caused significant damage across Paola, Osawatomie, and the surrounding Miami County region, underscoring the need for homeowners and local authorities to act quickly to assess and address the destruction before further weather events exacerbate the issues. The declaration of a state of emergency could pave the way for federal assistance, but residents must also be vigilant against potential scams as they work to restore their properties.