Dallas Hail Storms Cause Over $400 Million in Damages
A series of thunderstorms in Texas have left the area battered after producing baseball-sized hailstones. Insurance estimates predict that damages from the storm will be over $400 million.
"This was definitely a multimillion-dollar hail storm," Jason Dunn, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told CNN. "A lot of car windshields were blown out and roofs damaged in Dallas."
The storms blew through the area late Wednesday afternoon, lasting for over three hours. Even before they were done, reports of damage were being confirmed. Fortunately, only three people were injured during the storm, and all three were treated and released.
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"It sounded like bricks hitting the car," Melanie Cano told KTVT. "We were actually in the car when one of the balls of hail came through and glass came through. I have a couple of cuts on my back and on my finger."
Texas has been hit particularly hard by spring storms; just last week 13 tornadoes left nearly 20,000 homes and businesses without power. The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport was forced to cancel nearly 140 flights in and out of the area.
"We are very, very fortunate that there were no fatalities or major injuries," Mayor Mike Rawlings told Reuters. "If there is a silver lining in this, that is it."
"It shows you that God is in control of everything and every once in a while he gives us a gut-check," added Whittaker Hardin. He stayed safe in his bathtub, holding his Bible, during the storm. "It was one of those things that I never want to go through again."
Forecasters are worried that the early outbreak of storms could push the total number of fatalities above the 550 mark from last year, which was the deadliest in over a century. To date, 57 people have been killed in storms across the nation.
