B737-700 FLT CREW HAS HAIL DAMAGE WHILE PARKED AT THE GATE AT CMH.

Narrative

A BIG NASTY TSTM DUMPED HAIL ON ACFT WHILE IT WAS AT GATE IN CMH. I WAS IN THE JETWAY WITH THE CAPT WATCHING HAIL BOUNCE OFF THE WING. AFTER THE STORM PASSED WITH DUSK LIGHT CONDITIONS; I DID AN INTENSIVE WALKAROUND EXPECTING THE WORST. THE WALKAROUND SHOWED NO VISIBLE DAMAGE. I INSPECTED THE L WING WITH THE CAPT AND OPS AGENT FROM THE TOP OF THE JETWAY STAIRS. THE R WING WAS INSPECTED FROM THE FORWARD GALLEY DOOR AND BOTH WINGS LOOKED AT FROM THE EMER EXIT. THE CAPT LOOKED AT THE VERT/HORIZ STAB FROM BOTH AFT DOORS. CAPT CONTACTED DISPATCH AND THEY SAID THAT PROVIDED NO DAMAGE; PRESS ON. UPON ARR; WITH FLASHLIGHT; I DID A WALKAROUND AND SAW WHAT APPEARED TO BE NO DAMAGE. I HAVE FOUND OUT THIS MORNING THAT THE ACFT WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED ON TOP OF THE WINGS AND RUDDER. WE TOOK PROACTIVE ACTION IN DOING AN HONEST INSPECTION AS SOON AS THE STORM PASSED. WE PUT MANY SETS OF EYES ON THE ACFT. WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE WAS HAD CONTRACT MAINT COME OUT WITH LADDERS AND LIGHTS TO DO AN INSPECTION.