Hail the size of softballs pummeled the greater Fort Worth,Texas area on April 17 and has caused insured losses now in excessof $200 million.

The Insurance Council of Texas (ICT) estimates that insurancecompanies have received 33,000 homeowner claims and 21,000automobile claims as a result of the storm.

Capt. Mike McAllister of the Mineral Wells (Texas) PoliceDepartment was stunned by the length and severity of the storm. "Wehad hail the size of golf balls, baseballs and softballs fall fornearly thirty minutes," said McAllister, in a release issued byICT. "Literally every roof in Mineral Wells was heavilydamaged."

McAllister said that the hail even damaged sidewalks and roads."The hail stones were as hard as rocks and when they hit thepavement, they didn't break."

The hailstorm veered eastward into Weatherford and Parkercounties, where several automobile dealerships suffered stormdamage. Jerry's Chevrolet in Hudson Oaks reported claims on 2,000new and used vehicles.

Mark Hanna, a spokesman for the Insurance Council of Texas, saidsevere storms have ravaged the state on at least four occasionsthis year. "Roofers and body shops are very busy right now," Hannasaid. "We urge all policyholders to work with local, reputablebusinesses when making repairs."

Hanna said a Fort Worth roofer who wears a size 11 shoe was ableto place his foot inside a hole made by one hail stone that strucka roof in Parker County.

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