Fierce hail storms batter Texas, Oklahoma: ‘Billion-dollar damage’ likely from ‘gargantuan’ hail

Residents in Texas and Oklahoma were recovering Thursday after massive hail as large as softballs battered portions of the states a day earlier, leaving behind shattered windows on cars and in homes.

In Oklahoma, at least one injury was reported when large hail hit Norman and surrounding areas Wednesday evening, officials said. A National Weather Service spotter reported hail in excess of 3 inches in diameter around 9 p.m. in the Norman area.

A wind gust of 69 mph was measured in the area at 9 p.m. as the storm pushed through.

In all there were 38 reports of severe hail across the two states, including near San Antonio and Fort Worth in Texas and Norman in Oklahoma, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

“Yesterday was certainly a billion-dollar hail loss day across the U.S.,” Northern Illinois University meteorologist Victor Gensini said. “San Antonio and Fort Worth, Texas – along with Norman – were all impacted with large to significant hail. In addition, there was one gargantuan (4 inch) hail report near Hondo, Texas.”

Storm damage to cars in Norman, Okla on Thursday, April 29, 2021, after a hail storm hit the area Wednesday evening.. (Photo: CHRIS LANDSBERGER/THE OKLAHOMAN)

CNN senior meteorologist Dave Hennen said that it would be the second billion-dollar disaster this year in Texas, following the extreme Arctic outbreak back in February. 

Hail makes up the highest number of insurance claims each year and can exceed $10 billion in losses annually, according to the Weather Channel,

Hail photos: Norman sees hail damage after Wednesday storm. View the photos

The storms were part of a sprawling system that brought severe weather and heavy rain to much of the southern and central Plains. In addition to large hail, storms also produced damaging winds and a few possible tornadoes, CNN said.

3 inch hailstone was the largest we measured north of Ft. Worth near Keller. @NWSFortWorth#txwxpic.twitter.com/6Ss2FKzCs8

One of many giant hail stones that came through the roof of my friend’s house this evening in Sabinal, Texas. @NWSSanAntonio@IanShelton1997@TxStormChasers@Justin_Horne@ReedTimmerAccu#eWXspotterpic.twitter.com/SGO7u8VcLi

A fury of hail rained down in Haslet, Texas, last night as a storm passed through. https://t.co/sYeFbrWWsBpic.twitter.com/5L7WgTKMGq

Contributing: The Oklahoman

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