Lincoln and Lancaster County: Hail, Wind and Re-Roof Rules

Lancaster County by the numbers

These counts come from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Wind matters here too: 23 of the county's thunderstorm wind events in that decade reached 65 knots or more.

Hail that reached Lincoln roofs

• May 9, 2016. Reports from the southeast side of Lincoln include a measured 5-inch stone near 96th and Pine streets; the record says hail came through roofs and walls of homes in the area. It is the largest Lancaster County hail in the database from 2000 through 2025.
• June 14, 2022. Near Malcolm, ping pong ball size hail covered the ground, with a few stones as big as 3.5 inches.
• July 20, 2000. A hailstorm centered on Firth cut a path 6 to 8 miles wide; 148 of the 200 houses and businesses in town were heavily damaged.

Tornadoes and wind

• May 22, 2004. The Hallam tornado, rated F4, carries a $100 million estimate, one death and 30 injuries in the Lancaster County record. FEMA's DR-1517 followed.
• April 26, 2024. An EF3 tornado touched down on Lincoln's northeast side near Havelock Avenue and 84th Street and later hit a manufacturing plant.
• July 31, 2024. A line of storms brought a measured 92 mph gust near Denton and straight-line wind damage across the whole county. FEMA declared DR-4838 for storms beginning that day.
• August 9, 2025. An emergency manager in Malcolm estimated a 100 mph gust as a severe storm crossed the northwest part of the county, snapping telephone poles; FEMA's DR-4896 covers Lancaster County for storms beginning August 8, 2025.

Lincoln's re-roof permit policy

The City of Lincoln's Re-Roof Policy, dated December 10, 2021, says shingling a roof with solid sheathing does not require a building permit, though all code requirements and manufacturer recommendations still apply. A permit is required when:

• there is rot damage to the roof sheathing or rafters; or
• 7/16-inch plywood or OSB is used to cover the existing sheathing.

Where the existing roof has two or more layers of any covering, all layers must come off, and the self-adhering ice barrier sheet must run from the lowest roof edges to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. When a job needs no permit, the checks you run on the contractor carry more of the load.

Nebraska checks for a Lincoln roofer

Confirm the company in NDOL's registered contractor search; state law requires a separate registration number for each name a contractor does business under, so search the name printed on your contract.

If a roofer asks you to sign an assignment of your insurance benefits, Nebraska's post-loss assignment rules apply. The assignment may make the contractor a co-payee on the claim, must be sent to your insurer within five business days, must state that the contractor has made no promise the loss will be fully covered, and must carry a capitalized notice that you are handing over rights under your policy. Nebraska's cancellation and deductible rules for insurance-paid roofs are summarized on the homepage, and NRD's Nebraska roofing licensing page collects the state requirements.

Lincoln roofers on the National Roofing Directory

Companies listed in Lincoln appear below, and NRD's page for roofers in Lincoln, NE has the full list.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a building permit to reroof in Lincoln?

Not always. Lincoln's Re-Roof Policy says shingling over solid sheathing does not need a building permit, but a permit is required if there is rot in the sheathing or rafters, or if 7/16-inch plywood or OSB goes over the existing sheathing.

What is the largest hail recorded in Lancaster County?

NOAA's Storm Events Database lists a 5-inch stone measured near 96th and Pine streets in southeast Lincoln on May 9, 2016, the largest in the county from 2000 through 2025.

What should I check before signing an assignment of benefits in Nebraska?

Neb. Rev. Stat. 44-8605 requires the assignment to reach your insurer within five business days, to state that the contractor has not promised full coverage, and to include a capitalized notice explaining that you are assigning rights under your policy.