Damages estimated at $300-400 million from Sunday’s hailstorm
A hailstorm swept across Collin County Sunday evening, breaking windshields, hammering roofs, and destroying trees totaling an estimated $300-$400 million in damage.
“The hail was probably three inches across; it was the worst hail I’ve seen living here in Texas,” AP Human Geography teacher Tim Johannes said. “The screens on the windows on our house were all torn up on the north side and the fence was pretty battered. I’m going to up call the insurance and deal with that and then with the car I’ll have to call the insurance.”
The National Weather Service reported hail ranging in size from less than an inch to one nearly 4.5 inches.
“When I got to where I live there were broken windows on apartments on like the top floor, the third floor the fourth floor, and almost every other car had their back windshield broken busted out,” history teacher Jennifer Nelken said. “I just had a little bit of glass break [on my balcony] and I tracked glass and in my house and stepped on it. That wasn’t very fun, but I cleaned it up so I was good, but a lot of people were on their phones probably calling insurance companies and things like that to take care of it.”
Sunday’s hailstorm arrived less than a week after Collin County was named as the stormiest county in Texas.
“This means that homeowners really need to stay proactive,” local Allstate agent Mark Tucker told NBCDFW. “When you know a storm is coming, clear out your garage so you can put your vehicles inside. Tie down or bring in patio furniture, and make sure you have a safety plan.”
Cars throughout North Texas took a beating from Sunday’s hail storm. With some pieces of hail measuring bigger than two inches, it left some cars with more than dents as this Toyota was left with numerous holes in the metal. According to the Dallas Morning News, Farmers Insurance Group had received more than 1,200 claims by Monday afternoon, with more than half of the claims concerning car damage.
Sunday’s hail storm was so strong, it knocked part of this rearview mirror off. One of the biggest hailstones reported, came in at 4.5 inches, which is roughly the size of a grapefruit. According to the National Weather Service, Frisco and McKinney were two of the hardest hit areas.
Lasting for more than 10 minutes in some parts of North Texas, Sunday’s hail storm broke hundreds of car windows. Early reports estimate damage from the storm could range from $300-400 million.
Broken car windows can be seen throughout the Frisco, McKinney, and Allen areas as a massive hailstorm hit the area Sunday evening. According to the National Weather Service, North Texas gets hailstorms the magnitude of Sunday’s once or twice a year.
Holding a hailstone approximately the size of a golf ball, social studies teacher Jennifer Nelken lives near the heart of where Sunday’s storm hit but wasn’t home at the time. “When I got to where I live there was broken windows on apartments– on like the top floor the third floor the fourth floor,” she said. “Almost every other car had their back windshield broken, busted out. It was pretty bad.”
Looking more like snow than hail, the backyard of head volleyball coach Ui Womble is covered with thousands of pieces of hail after a storm on March 25, 2019.
Lucas is a senior in his fourth year of Wingspan. As vice-president of Youth and Government on campus and at the Plano YMCA, he helps teach members bill-writing...
