Giant hailstones 'like bullets' destroy cars, injure people and smash windows


Baseball-sized hailstones, tornadoes and flooding wreaked havoc across several southern states Wednesday night. 

In Texas, a powerful storm system produced hail as large as 3 inches to San Antonio and Fort Worth. Video shared on social media showed a fury of hail raining down in Haslet, Texas, as a storm passed through.

Tornado warnings were also issued in several parts of the state through Thursday morning. More than 16,000 people in Texas are still without power. 

Forecasters reported extreme cases of hailstones destroying cars and smashing the windows of businesses, including a Taco Bell, in Oklahoma. 

Several residents took to Twitter to share shocking images of the damage caused by the hailstones during the storm. 

One image shows massive holes in a window shade after hailstones smashed threw the glass in Norman, Oklahoma. 

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Residents of Oklahoma shared images of baseball-sized hailstones

One image shows massive holes in a window shade after hailstones smashed threw the glass in Norman, Oklahoma

Baseball-sized hailstones, tornadoes and flooding wreaked havoc across several southern states Wednesday night. One image shows massive holes in a window shade after hailstones smashed threw the glass in Norman, Oklahoma

Vehicles parked at local car dealerships in Norman were also damaged by the hail

Vehicles parked at local car dealerships in Norman were also damaged by the hail

The hailstones shattered windshields (pictured in Oklahoma) and dented exteriors

The hailstones shattered windshields (pictured in Oklahoma) and dented exteriors

The Taco Bell at 1024 24th St in Norman also suffered damage when the hailstones busted out the store’s windows. 

Vehicles parked at local car dealerships in Norman were also damaged by the hail. The hailstones shattered windshields and dented exteriors.  

At least one person reported an injury during the hailstorm in Norman and surrounding areas. 

According to the Storm Prediction Center, there were 38 reports of severe hail across Texas and Oklahoma.

Forecasters also said two tornadoes hit Pauls Valley and Stilwell, Oklahoma, Tuesday and into Wednesday. 

Experts estimated that the hail could cost Texas and Oklahoma up to $1billion once officials assess the full extent of the damage. 

The Taco Bell at 1024 24th St in Norman also suffered damage when the hailstones busted out the store's windows

The Taco Bell at 1024 24th St in Norman also suffered damage when the hailstones busted out the store’s windows

Broken windows are seen at the Taco Bell in Norman, Oklahoma, after the storm

Broken windows are seen at the Taco Bell in Norman, Oklahoma, after the storm 

One person shared that the hailstones caused a large hole in their roof (pictured in Texas)

One person shared that the hailstones caused a large hole in their roof (pictured in Texas) 

‘Yesterday was certainly a billion-dollar hail loss day across the US,’ meteorologist Victor Gensini told USA Today. 

‘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.’ 

Meanwhile, a slow moving storm system swept across parts of Missouri and northwest Arkansas, causing severe flooding in both states. 

The National Weather Service (NWS) said parts of Arkansas should expect downpours into Friday. 

About six inches of rain is estimated to have already fallen in some areas while others parts of Arkansas reported three inches of rain. 

Forecasters said the state could see additional three inches of rain, which can cause flash flooding. 

The rain has so far caused severe flooding in parts of Arkansas and a tornado was spotted in Benton County Wednesday morning.

Forecasters reported extreme cases of hailstones in parts of Oklahoma (depicted)

Forecasters reported extreme cases of hailstones in parts of Oklahoma (depicted)

Meanwhile, a slow moving storm system swept across parts of Missouri and northwest Arkansas (pictured), causing severe flooding in both states

Meanwhile, a slow moving storm system swept across parts of Missouri and northwest Arkansas (pictured), causing severe flooding in both states

First responders are seen preparing to assist a driver after a bus was overcome with flood waters in Arkansas

First responders are seen preparing to assist a driver after a bus was overcome with flood waters in Arkansas 

Police assist an Arkansas resident whose vehicle became flooded during a storm on Wednesday

Police assist an Arkansas resident whose vehicle became flooded during a storm on Wednesday 

About six inches of rain is estimated to have already fallen in some areas while others parts of Arkansas (pictured on Wednesday) reported three inches of rain

About six inches of rain is estimated to have already fallen in some areas while others parts of Arkansas (pictured on Wednesday) reported three inches of rain

A police officer is seen helping a woman from her car during flooding in northwest Arkansas on Wednesday

A police officer is seen helping a woman from her car during flooding in northwest Arkansas on Wednesday 

Forecasters said Arkansas could see additional three inches of rain, which can cause flash flooding

Forecasters said Arkansas could see additional three inches of rain, which can cause flash flooding

In Missouri, storms caused wind damage and flooding at a popular state park.

Live camera footage showed raging waters at Roaring River, a popular fishing destination 8 miles south of Cassville in Barry County, the Springfield News-Leader reports.

‘This is a major, major flood today,’ said Paul Spurgeon, Roaring River Hatchery manager. ‘We got about 3 inches in 40 minutes.’

The main concern is the hatchery building, which rests on the lowest area and is full of fingerlings, or baby trout.

‘We’re trying to keep those guys going right now,’ Spurgeon said.

Other flooded spots included Reeds Spring and a highway just south of the Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area in Christian County.

Meanwhile, reports of wind damage have come in from several places, including Branson, areas near Silver Dollar City, Highlandville and Sparta.

‘We did have tornado warnings extended farther eastward, so we may be getting additional reports of wind damage from there,’ said Megan Terry, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, adding that no tornadoes had been verified as of Wednesday afternoon.

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