Baseball-Sized Hail Pelts Pool Owners in Texas

A recent video that went viral on Twitter has left many viewers in shock and awe. The video, originally posted by Gary Clayton of Dublin, TX, depicts a tremendous hail storm with baseball-sized hail coming down in a swimming pool and pelting a poor bull that was caught in the storm. The video quickly racked up over a half a million views in just a few hours, highlighting the intense nature of the storm.

On Wednesday, while supercell thunderstorms moved through Dublin, Gary Clayton filmed as massive hailstones pelted his backyard swimming pool, turning the usual inviting oasis into a churning cauldron amid the icy assault from the heavens.

Shortly after, a large bull was seen running beyond Gary’s backyard fence, likely searching for cover from the deluge as hailstones of that size can fall at speeds of around 44-72 mph. Fortunately, the cow was able to find shelter and remained unharmed.

“Cattle are grazing animal. So, it’s not real easy to have a place for all of them to seek a barn. In fact, they probably wouldn’t go into a barn because of the noise from the hail hitting the tin,” Clayton told reporters. “I knew the only shelter he really had was some trees. And that’s where he was heading, was to get under some trees to kind of break the fall of the hailstones.”

As the storm swept through the Dublin area, storm spotters reported hail ranging in size from tennis balls to baseballs, with diameters of 2.5 to 3 inches. This was just one of many reports of large hail as storms moved through Texas and the Gulf Coast on Wednesday.

While hail storms are not uncommon, the severity of this particular storm has served as a wake-up call for many on the importance of being prepared for such events. When hail is forecasted, there are a few things that folks can do to protect themselves and their property.

Hail Scale

Non-Severe

• Pea sized = 1/4 of an inch
• Mothball sized = 1/2 of an inch
• Penny sized = 3/4 of an inch
• Nickel sized = 7/8 of an inch

Severe

• Quarter sized = 1 inch
• Ping Pong Ball sized = 1 1/2 inches
• Golf Ball sized = 1 3/4 inches
• Hen Egg sized = 2 inches

Highly-Severe

• Tennis Ball sized = 2 1/2 inches
• Baseball sized = 2 3/4 inches
• Softball sized = 4 inches
• Grapefruit sized = 4 1/2 inches

With the ability to reach speeds of over 100 mph, baseball-sized hail can be compared to a Major League fastball hurled from the clouds above. One of the first things to do when a severe or highly-severe hailstorm is imminent is to move all vehicles under cover, if possible. Hail can cause significant damage to car roofs and windows, so it’s best to avoid leaving them out in the open during a hail storm. If you don’t have a garage or covered parking, consider covering the vehicles with thick blankets or tarps.

Homeowners should also take steps to protect their roofs and windows from hail damage. If you’re in an area prone to hail storms, consider installing impact-resistant windows and a hail-resistant roof. Additionally, trimming nearby trees can help prevent branches from breaking off and damaging your roof during a storm.

When it comes to swimming pools, it’s important to avoid covering them during a hail storm. While it may seem like the logical thing to do, a pool cover can actually be seriously damaged by fist-sized hail. This can result in costly repairs or replacement, so it’s best to avoid covering the pool during a hail storm altogether.

If you have outdoor furniture or decorations, consider moving them inside during a hail storm. Large hailstones can cause significant damage to patio furniture, garden decorations, and even outdoor grills. By moving these items indoors, you can help protect them from costly damage.