Hail the size of softballs pummeled the greater Fort Worth, Texas area on April 17 and has caused insured losses now in excess of $200 million.
The Insurance Council of Texas (ICT) estimates that insurance companies have received 33,000 homeowner claims and 21,000 automobile claims as a result of the storm.
Capt. Mike McAllister of the Mineral Wells (Texas) Police Department was stunned by the length and severity of the storm. "We had hail the size of golf balls, baseballs and softballs fall for nearly thirty minutes," said McAllister, in a release issued by ICT. "Literally every roof in Mineral Wells was heavily damaged."
McAllister said that the hail even damaged sidewalks and roads. "The hail stones were as hard as rocks and when they hit the pavement, they didn't break."
The hailstorm veered eastward into Weatherford and Parker counties, where several automobile dealerships suffered storm damage. Jerry's Chevrolet in Hudson Oaks reported claims on 2,000 new and used vehicles.
Mark Hanna, a spokesman for the Insurance Council of Texas, said severe storms have ravaged the state on at least four occasions this year. "Roofers and body shops are very busy right now," Hanna said. "We urge all policyholders to work with local, reputable businesses when making repairs."
Hanna said a Fort Worth roofer who wears a size 11 shoe was able to place his foot inside a hole made by one hail stone that struck a roof in Parker County.
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