Baseball-sized hail hits Norman, causing damage worth millions of dollars, Oklahoma
A severe storm moved through Norman City in Oklahoma at around 01:00 UTC on Thursday, April 29, 2021 (20:00 LT on Wednesday, April 28), bringing winds of up to 115 km/h (70 mph) and hail the size of a baseball. According to local media, the storm will likely result in damages worth millions of dollars as businesses and homes were badly hit.
Rain and storms began forming across central Oklahoma in the afternoon (LT), with a severe thunderstorm warning in place for Caddo County. By evening, residents in Norman reported hail up to 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter.
KFOR Chief Meteorologist Mike Morgan described the storm as 'essentially a hurricane with large hail,' as it caused extensive damage to homes, businesses, and vehicles.
News 9 Chief Meteorologist David Payne said the storm is likely to be a multi-million-dollar storm as many windows were busted and cars were smashed throughout the city.
Winds of up to 115 km/h (70 mph) ripped through the area. Norman resident Beth Van Horn said the wind roared like a tornado, causing her and the neighborhood to think that a tornado might have hit the area.
The hail was the loudest she has ever heard, she told KOCO 5, as hailstones crashed through her windows.
Multiple windows at the Motel 6 were shattered, while several vehicles at the dealership had significant damage to their windshields. No injuries were reported.
Taco Bell at 1024 24th St NW, Norman, OK 73069 has its windows busted out from hail storm. #okwx #hailstorm #severeweather #alonzoadamsphoto #alonzoadamsphotography pic.twitter.com/NaVta24YKh
— Alonzo Adams (@AlonzoAdamsPics) April 29, 2021
So much large hail that was being tossed at 60-70 mph throughout Norman resulting in widespread damage. Thanks for the multiple pics, Pat! #okwx https://t.co/y2QugHlCzw
— Matt Mahler (@themahler) April 29, 2021
@themahler @NEWS9
NE Norman pic.twitter.com/0NdF2rmdSv— Brook Arbeitman (@BArbeitman) April 29, 2021
Hail damage at Honda dealership in Norman, OK at I-35 and Robinson. Likely baseball size before this as some melting had occurred. #okwx @NWSNorman @jamesaydelott pic.twitter.com/loqFbe19Rq
— Greg McLaughlin (@GregMc_wx) April 29, 2021
This is damage a large hail storm did at Ferguson Used Cars in Norman. Many cars have cracked windows. pic.twitter.com/12TG7CbKPP
— Clayton Cummins (@ClaytonCummins) April 29, 2021
"A slow-moving front, spanning from the Northeast westward to the Ohio Valley and then southwest to the Middle/Lower Mississippi Valley and the Southern Plains will move off the East and Gulf Coast by Saturday, May 1," NWS forecaster Ziegenfelder said.
The SPC has issued a Slight risk of severe thunderstorms from parts of the northern Mid-Atlantic to the Tennessee Valley/Southern Appalachians through Friday morning. The thunderstorms will have heavy rain associated with them. The main hazards are frequent lightning, high wind gusts, hail, and possible tornadoes.
The WPC has issued a Slight risk of excessive rainfall over the ArkLaTex region through the same period. The heavy rain will produce scattered areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, and small streams being the most vulnerable.
Featured image credit: Pat Hyland
If you value what we do here, create your ad-free account and support our journalism.
Your support makes a difference
Dear valued reader,
We hope that our website has been a valuable resource for you.
The reality is that it takes a lot of time, effort, and resources to maintain and grow this website. We rely on the support of readers like you to keep providing high-quality content.
If you have found our website to be helpful, please consider making a contribution to help us continue to bring you the information you need. Your support means the world to us and helps us to keep doing what we love.
Support us by choosing your support level – Silver, Gold or Platinum. Other support options include Patreon pledges and sending us a one-off payment using PayPal.
Thank you for your consideration. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Teo Blašković
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules:
We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these rules. By commenting on our website, you agree to abide by these guidelines. Thank you for helping to create a positive and welcoming environment for all.