Severe Weather Strikes Southern US: Baseball-Sized Hail Hits Texas

Baseball-sized pieces of hail wreaked havoc in Texas as severe thunderstorms swept through parts of the southern US. The oversized hailstones, measuring about 5 inches across, fell in Johnson City, central Texas, as reported by NBC News. Photos shared on social media captured the enormity of the hailstones, with some reaching up to 5 inches in diameter.

In addition to Johnson City, hail pieces the size of golf balls were also spotted in Granbury, Texas, while tennis ball-sized hailstones pummeled Pecan Plantation, causing chaos in the unincorporated community. Lydia Torres, a medic in Pecan Plantation, described the sound of the hail hitting the ambulance as resembling bombs, with the impact shattering the windshield.

The cities of San Marcos and Johnson City bore the brunt of the storm, with reports of extensive damage from the supersized hail and high wind gusts. San Marcos experienced downed power lines and uprooted trees, adding to the chaos caused by the severe weather.

The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for several areas in Texas, with more than 300,000 residents, primarily in southern states, left without power. Florida, in particular, saw a significant number of power outages, with severe thunderstorms and the threat of tornadoes looming over the northern parts of the state.

Residents in Tallahassee reported extensive damage, with the National Weather Service warning of damaging winds, isolated tornadoes, and large hail as the main threats. Heavy rainfall was also a concern, especially if storms redevelop and train behind the initial complex of storms.

The severe weather conditions serve as a stark reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature, leaving communities in Texas and beyond to pick up the pieces and assess the damage caused by the baseball-sized hail and accompanying storms.