Milam County
Rockdale, Texas Roofing & Property Protection
Roofing guidance, storm damage documentation, gutters, painting, and repairs for Rockdale homeowners in Milam County, from The Roof Shepherd, based in Round Rock.
Updated November 1, 2026
Read This First
The short version
- Rockdale, in Milam County, is about 43 miles and 56 minutes by road from our Round Rock base.
- Hail 1.75 inches or larger was reported 5 times near Rockdale from 2000 to 2026, 189th of the 207 cities on this site.
- 2019 was the worst season here from 2006 to 2025: 3 reports of hail 1.75 inches or larger, the largest 2 inches on April 6.
- The median home in Rockdale was built in 1974, and 79 percent of homes here were built before 1990.
- Two of its three nearest neighbors had more large hail.
Call or text 512-575-5052 or use Get Help to start with a documented inspection in Rockdale, Milam County.
Short version: 5 min. Full page: 17 min. Want the detail? Each section below opens with a tap, or switch to Full at the top to open them all.
Rockdale At A Glance
What homeowners in Rockdale should know
How Rockdale ranks for large hail and home age, and who sets permit rules here.
Rockdale, in Milam County, is about 43 miles and 56 minutes by road from our Round Rock base. Roofing permit rules are set locally, and Texas has no statewide roofing license, so we confirm the rules for your address before work starts.
Roofing Insight
Rockdale’s Milam County location sits between Taylor’s Samsung-driven growth corridor and the Bryan-College Station market.
Hail & Storm Exposure
Hail 1.75 inches or larger, golf ball size, was reported 5 times within ten miles of Rockdale from 2000 to 2026. That ranks 189th of the 207 Texas cities on this site, and 67th of 71 in the region around Round Rock.
Exterior & Painting Note
Rockdale’s industrial heritage means some properties may carry legacy exterior coatings requiring assessment before repainting. Proper surface preparation is critical in communities with significant industrial history.
Common Roofing Issues
The common problems in Rockdale are the same as across Central Texas. Sun wears off granules. Hail dents vents and gutters. Pipe boots fail. Older attics vent poorly. The specific soil and humidity conditions in Milam County add local nuance to each.
Rockdale Snapshot
Weather history & local facts
Hail and wind on record near Rockdale, in Milam County, plus a few local facts worth knowing.
Hail and wind on record here
Rockdale’s verified NOAA record since 2018 includes 2 inch hail in Rockdale on April 6, 2019, 1.75 inch hail in Rockdale on April 13, 2019, and 1 inch hail at Minerva on March 18, 2018. 3 thunderstorm wind events sit inside the same 10 mile window. Peak hail months here: April and March. Across Milam County as a whole, NOAA logged 14 hail events from 2016 through 2025, with hail to 2 inches, plus 27 damaging thunderstorm wind events and 6 tornado reports.
Worth Knowing
Rockdale is going through an industrial transformation. Major hydrogen production investments by Linde and Air Products, combined with Samsung’s nearby Taylor campus, are reshaping Milam County’s infrastructure and growth trajectory.
What the storm record means locally
After major hail events, out-of-state contractors arrive quickly. A written record of visible conditions before any repair decision protects your position, whether you file a claim or not. The Roof Shepherd documents first. Decisions come after.
Local Note
Milam County’s Alcoa aluminum smelter operated near Rockdale for decades, and that industrial heritage shaped the workforce character and built environment of the community.
Sources behind these numbers
Hail data sourced from NOAA SPC filtered reports, 1″ or larger within 10 miles of city center. Not a formal risk assessment.
On record
What has actually fallen on Rockdale
19 hail events are on record within ten miles of Rockdale, the largest 2.75 inches on April 25, 2008.
Reading the public storm record
To see the days radar recorded hail near your own address, use our hail history lookup.
| Hail events on record | 19 |
|---|---|
| Reached 1.75 in or larger | 5 |
| Largest stone recorded | 2.75 in · April 25, 2008 |
| Busiest year | 2008 · 3 events |
| Most common months | April and May |
| Strongest gust in the archive | 70 mph · May 23, 2015 |
| Radar hail days, 1 in or larger | 165 days · 2000-2026 · largest signature 4.00 in |
| Preliminary reports, last 12 months | 1 report of 1 in or larger · largest 1.25 in on May 10, 2026 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database · Milam County · 2000-2026 · within 10 miles of the Rockdale centroid. Counts are reported events, so they undercount: a stone that fell where nobody reported it is not in the record.
Checked November 1, 2026 against two feeds that do not share the archive's bias: radar hail signatures from the NEXRAD hail detection algorithm (NOAA NCEI Severe Weather Data Inventory, same 10 mile radius, 2000-2026), counted as days with a signature of one inch or larger, and the Storm Prediction Center's preliminary reports for the last 12 months, which are unreviewed and never a competing total. A radar day and a reported event are different units and are not expected to match: the archive needs a witness and undercounts, radar needs none and can flag hail that melted before it landed. What fell on one roof is settled by a documented inspection, not by any of these counts.
Year by year
Hail in Rockdale, 2006 to 2025
One row per year of hail reports one inch or larger near Rockdale, newest first, from the weather archive.
Twenty seasons, one row each
One row per year, newest first. Each row counts the hail reports of one inch or larger within ten miles of Rockdale, from the National Weather Service archive. 8 reports from 2006 to 2025, 5 of them at or above 1.75 inches, golf ball size. Counting only stones of one inch or larger, the busiest year in this table was 2019. If you owned your roof through any of these dates, the row is the reason to know what it took.
| Year | Reports 1 in+ | 1.75 in+ | Largest stone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | none reported |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | none reported |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | below 1 in |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | none reported |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | below 1 in |
Show all 20 years (2006 to 2025)
| Year | Reports 1 in+ | 1.75 in+ | Largest stone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | none reported |
| 2019 | 3 | 3 | 2.00 in · April 6 |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | 1.00 in · March 18 |
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | below 1 in |
| 2016 | 0 | 0 | none reported |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | none reported |
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | none reported |
| 2013 | 0 | 0 | none reported |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | below 1 in |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | none reported |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | below 1 in |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | none reported |
| 2008 | 2 | 2 | 2.75 in · April 25 |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 | 1.50 in · May 2 |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | below 1 in |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, hail events 2006 through 2025 within 10 miles of the Rockdale centroid. Reports are observer-driven, so a stone that fell where nobody reported it is not in the record, and small towns are undercounted relative to cities. Full calendar years only; the current year is not shown until it is complete.
Milam County Storm Record
Documented storm exposure in Rockdale
The worst hail seasons near Rockdale from 2006 to 2025, year by year.
Hail Frequency
NOAA storm records log 7 hail events within 10 miles of Rockdale since 2018, 6 of them inside the city’s immediate 6 mile ring. Inside that ring, the largest verified stone measured 2 inches on April 6, 2019. Since 2018, hail here peaks in April and March.
Largest Recorded
Milam County’s benchmark severe weather includes the 2017 windstorm that tore through Rockdale at an estimated 90 to 102 mph, downing power lines and damaging roofs, and a deadly 2015 EF2 tornado near Cameron and Buckholts (NWS Fort Worth).
The worst hail seasons near Rockdale, 2006 to 2025
- 2019: 3 reports of hail 1.75 inches or larger, largest 2 inches on April 6
- 2008: 2 reports of hail 1.75 inches or larger, largest 2.75 inches on April 25
Neighborhood Exposure
Milam County sits on the eastern edge of the Central Texas hail corridor, in the path of spring supercell systems that intensify as they move northeast. The flat Yegua Creek bottomlands offer little storm shelter.
How these figures are corroborated
Hail data sourced from NOAA Storm Prediction Center (SPC) filtered reports. Reports reflect spotter-confirmed events within 10 miles of city center. Not a formal risk assessment.
Verified Storm Record
Verified hail, wind, and tornado history for Milam County, the area Rockdale sits in. Roof condition changes with every storm season, which is why the homeowner should own the documentation.
March 25 sub severe hail
NOAA verifies 0.88 inch hail in Rockdale on March 25, 2021, a sub severe stone.
April 6 hen egg size hail
NOAA verifies 2 inch hail in Rockdale on April 6, 2019, a hen egg size stone.
April 25 baseball size hail
NOAA verifies 2.75 inch hail in Rockdale on April 25, 2008, a baseball size stone.
May 2 ping pong ball size hail
NOAA verifies 1.5 inch hail in Rockdale on May 2, 2007, a ping pong ball size stone.
Where these figures come from
Figures drawn from public NOAA, National Weather Service, U.S. Census, and Texas Department of Insurance records and contemporaneous reporting. Not a formal risk assessment.
Live NOAA record Since September 2024, NOAA has logged 1 hail report within 6 miles of Rockdale. The largest measured 1.25 inches on May 10, 2026, about 1.1 miles away. These are NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary reports covering September 30, 2024 to October 29, 2026. A report near a property confirms hail fell nearby. It does not confirm that any particular roof was damaged, and it is not a coverage determination.
About Rockdale
Local ground truth for Rockdale properties
Rockdale sits in Milam County in Central Texas, home to roughly 5,637 residents (Census Bureau estimate, 2024). NOAA storm records log 7 hail events within ten miles since 2018. The largest stone in the full NOAA archive, 2000 to 2026, measured 2.75″ on April 25, 2008.
Roof age, by the census
How old the roofs in Rockdale are likely to be
Census figures on when Rockdale homes were built, which tells you roughly when their first roofs went on.
When the houses went up
Rockdale has 2,582 housing units in the Census Bureau's latest five-year estimate. The median home was built in 1974. 86 percent were built before 2000 and 79 percent before 1990; 11 percent have been built since 2010. Half or more of the homes here predate 2000. An original asphalt-shingle roof from that era is at or past the 20-to-30-year service life typically cited for asphalt shingles, and many will already be on a second roof, which is worth confirming from a permit or a receipt rather than assuming.
| Year built | Homes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Built 2020 or later | 0 | 0% |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 291 | 11% |
| Built 2000 to 2009 | 62 | 2% |
| Built 1990 to 1999 | 192 | 7% |
| Built 1980 to 1989 | 335 | 13% |
Show all ten brackets (1939 or earlier to 2020 or later)
| Year built | Homes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Built 1970 to 1979 | 738 | 29% |
| Built 1960 to 1969 | 195 | 8% |
| Built 1950 to 1959 | 698 | 27% |
| Built 1940 to 1949 | 22 | 1% |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 49 | 2% |
Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 five-year estimates, tables B25034 and B25035, Rockdale city. ACS figures are estimates with published margins of error; shares are rounded to whole percents. Year built is the structure, not the roof: it says when the first roof went on, not whether it is still there.
Roofer Near Rockdale
Everything we cover in Rockdale
All the work we do, in Rockdale and in all of Milam County.
What we cover in Rockdale
Roofing, painting, gutters and home services, in Rockdale and across Milam County. Rockdale, in Milam County, is about 43 miles and 56 minutes by road from our Round Rock base.
Services available in Rockdale
Every service below is available to Rockdale homeowners, as it is anywhere in Texas.
All services
Round Rock Zone
How service works in Rockdale
How far Rockdale is from our base, and who handles your project from start to finish.
Who runs the inspection
Rockdale, in Milam County, is about 43 miles and 56 minutes by road from our Round Rock base. David Rodrigues, the founder, looks at your Rockdale roof and writes down what he sees before anyone talks repair or replacement. If you go ahead, The Roof Shepherd runs the job from contract to walkthrough. Our project delivery page explains who does what.
Local Conditions
What is different about working on Rockdale homes
Rockdale side by side with its three nearest neighbors on this site.
What roofs face in this market
Nearby, from 2000 to 2026: Cameron 5, Caldwell 16 and Taylor 12 reports of hail 1.75 inches or larger, against 5 for Rockdale. Of the other cities on this site, 92 percent have newer homes than Rockdale.
| City | Hail 1.75 in+, biggest stone |
|---|---|
| Rockdale | 5, 2.75 in |
| Cameron (14 mi) | 5, 4 in |
| Caldwell (20 mi) | 16, 4.25 in |
| Taylor (26 mi) | 12, 4 in |
Severe hail: reports of 1.75 inches or larger, 2000 to 2026, within ten miles of each city center (NOAA NCEI Storm Events). Miles are straight-line between city centers.
The largest hail recorded near Rockdale, by date:
| Date | Largest stone |
|---|---|
| April 6, 2019 | 2.0″ |
| April 25, 2008 | 2.75″ |
Useful locally: City of Rockdale official site for permit and inspection rules; NWS forecast for Rockdale before scheduling work.
Storm figures: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, events within a 10 mile radius, 2000 to 2026. Windstorm territory per Texas Windstorm Insurance Association county designations.
The rules here
Roof permits and code in Rockdale
What the city's own documents say about a re-roof permit and code here, and the date they were read.
What the city's documents show
Rockdale's code requires a permit for repairs and remodeling that involve structural changes, such as altering supports. It does not mention roof replacement directly.
Rockdale's code adopts the 2018 International Residential Code, by Ordinance 2022-05-09(4B) on May 9, 2022.
Read at the city's own pages and code on October 14, 2026. The city's current document governs if it changes, so we confirm the rule for your address before work starts. Our permits and codes by city page explains how Texas cities set these rules.
Exterior & Painting
What Rockdale homeowners should know about exterior work
Get the roof documented first, since a roof visit often turns up fascia, gutter and trim damage.
Local Paint & Exterior Note
Rockdale operates largely without HOA restrictions. Inside city limits, building permits come from the City of Rockdale, not Milam County, and the city code does not mention roof replacement directly, so we confirm with the city for your address. Documentation supports permit and insurance processes.
Sequence Matters
Rockdale’s mix of older pier-and-beam and slab construction means roofline and fascia conditions often reflect foundation movement as well as weather exposure. A documented baseline before a storm separates settlement from storm damage. Get the roof documented first. Painting and exterior repairs come after. Condition notes from a roof visit often surface fascia rot, gutter separation, and trim damage that affect painting scope and cost.
Google Reviews
Homeowner Reviews
These are verified Google reviews from Texas homeowners we’ve served.
David did an amazing job working with us to get our roof repaired during the sale of our home. He was very responsive to communication, knowledgeable, kept to his schedules, and was very easy to work with. If we were keeping the home, I definitely would have hired him for a full roof replacement when the time came. Would definitely recommend using his services.
Owner Response
Thank you so much for the kind review. I really appreciate the opportunity to help with the roof repair during the sale of your home. I know timing, communication, and documentation matter in that situation, so I’m glad I was able to help make the process easier. Your recommendation means a lot, and I wish you all the best with your next chapter.
The Roof Shepherd is amazing. He is very knowledgeable and easy to talk to. Getting a new roof can be stressful, but he made the process super easy. He answered all our questions and concerns, worked with our insurance company, and gave us a good price for a new Class 4 roof. The workers were very courteous and professional — they went the extra mile, made sure everything was okay in the attic, worked around the gutters, installed new vents, and later repaired our shed connected to the house. They got everything done in one day, hours ahead of schedule. I highly recommend The Roof Shepherd to anyone that needs a new roof!
Owner Response
Thank you so much for this review. It really means a lot. Getting a new roof can be stressful, so I’m grateful we were able to make the process easier, walk through the insurance side, answer your questions, and get your Class 4 impact-rated roof installed the right way. I also appreciate you mentioning the crew. They worked hard, stayed professional, handled the attic and ventilation details, worked carefully around the gutters, and helped make sure the shed repair was taken care of afterward. Thank you again for trusting The Roof Shepherd with your home and for recommending us. It was a privilege to serve your family.
The Roof Shepherd did an amazing job — the company and, more importantly, the crew were fast and reliable. They had our roof and vents done in a timely manner after the recent storms. We upgraded after all the hail and high winds we’ve had over the last few years, and to our surprise it brought a discount on our insurance as well. The house looks great. It was the easiest choice on home maintenance we have ever made. Hands down, I would choose them again and would recommend them to anyone.
Owner Response
Valerie, thank you so much for the kind review and for trusting The Roof Shepherd with your roof and ventilation work. I’m glad we were able to help after the recent storms and get everything handled in a timely way. Upgrading to an impact-rated roofing system can make a real difference, especially after years of hail and high winds, and it’s great to hear the insurance discount was a helpful surprise as well. I also appreciate you recognizing the crew: fast, reliable, and respectful work matters, and I’m grateful they represented the company well on your home. Thank you again for the opportunity to serve your family.
Nearby
Nearby areas we serve
Nearby cities we also serve
The Roof Shepherd also documents and serves these nearby Texas communities. Distances are straight-line miles from the center of Rockdale, and each hail figure is the count of NOAA-verified hail events within 10 miles of that city since 2018:
Field Videos
From the field near Rockdale
Real inspections and real conditions, documented, from Rockdale and Milam County.
Field videos from real roofs, each with a short note on what the inspection or the work showed.
Hail Damage on a Garage in Round Rock, Texas
Hail hits on garage siding in Round Rock, the property level evidence that tells you the roof deserves a closer look.
Watch on YouTubeHail Alert on April 18, Austin to Georgetown
Active hail falling across the Austin, Round Rock and Georgetown corridor on April 18, the kind that bruises shingles without leaving a leak.
Watch on YouTubeRockdale FAQs
Common questions in Rockdale
Does The Roof Shepherd serve Rockdale regularly?
Yes. Rockdale is about 43 miles and 56 minutes by road from Round Rock, our home base. We work across Texas, and Milam County is part of that.
How often does large hail hit Rockdale?
Hail 1.75 inches or larger, golf ball size, was reported 5 times within ten miles of Rockdale from 2000 to 2026. That ranks 189th of the 207 Texas cities on this site, and 67th of 71 in the region around Round Rock. The largest stone on record within ten miles from 2000 to 2026 measured 2.75 inches, on April 25, 2008.
When is hail season in Rockdale?
From 2000 to 2026, hail within ten miles of Rockdale came most often in April and March. The busiest single year in that record was 2008, with 3 reports of every size.
What was the worst recent hail year in Rockdale?
2019 was the worst season here from 2006 to 2025: 3 reports of hail 1.75 inches or larger, the largest 2 inches on April 6. The table on this page lists every year.
How does Rockdale compare with nearby towns for hail?
Nearby, from 2000 to 2026: Cameron 5, Caldwell 16 and Taylor 12 reports of hail 1.75 inches or larger, against 5 for Rockdale.
How old are the homes in Rockdale?
The median home in Rockdale was built in 1974, and 79 percent of homes here were built before 1990. Of the other cities on this site, 92 percent have newer homes than Rockdale.
What is the strongest wind on record near Rockdale?
The strongest thunderstorm wind gust reported within ten miles from 2000 to 2026 was 70 mph, on May 23, 2015.
How much does a new roof cost in Rockdale?
It depends on the roof’s size, pitch, material, decking and vents. We look at your roof in Rockdale first, so any price you weigh fits its real condition. Our price guides for all four trades are on the RPGs page.
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Where to go from here
Serving Rockdale, TX and the communities around it. Pick the next thing you want to read, or the region you want to see.