Like snow and sleet, hail is categorized as a form of frozen precipitation. Lumps or balls of irregular shaped ice called “hailstones” are formed within strong to severe thunderstorms. According to the NOAA, a national agency that focuses on the oceans and atmosphere, hail causes about $1 billion in damage to property and crops each year.
What the Hail?
The peak season for hail damage is usually during spring when the risk of severe thunderstorms is highest. However, any thunderstorm could potentially create the necessary environment for large, damaging hail. Within these storms, a strong updraft of wind will carry raindrops into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere, where they freeze. Over time, the ice particle will succumb to the force of gravity, only to be lifted by another updraft. Every time this happens, the hailstone collects moisture and another layer of ice is formed. Once heavy enough to overcome the updraft, the hailstone is ready to do its damage and falls to the ground.
Everything’s Bigger in Texas, even Hailstorms!
The Texas heat doesn’t save us from these icy horrors. In fact, Texas ranks first for average losses per year and has accounted for 20 percent of all hail losses since 2000. We also top the list in number of damage claims filed in 2014. Data from the NOAA lists the number of 2014 hailstorms in Texas at 557. Despite the great publicity hurricanes generate, hailstorms are the most damaging weather events that Texans face annually. Also, unlike hurricanes, they occur in every single part of our state.
Historic Hailstorm of 2012
Many south Texas residents are still feeling the effects of the evening of March 29th, 2012. The storm dumped hail up to the size of baseballs for more than half an hour at 70 to 75 miles per hour. It also produced 4 to 6 inches of torrential rains and there was frequent cloud to ground lightning. Although no serious injuries or fatalities occurred, more than $260 million dollars in damage to insured property was recorded.
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Insurance Disputes
After a damaging weather-related event, your insurance company has a duty to settle your claim timely and in good faith. You are entitled to a fair and prompt settlement. If your claim has been delayed, denied, underpaid, or wrongfully handled, you may have certain causes of action against your insurance company. You are entitled by Texas law to have your damaged property repaired or replaced to its pre-loss condition.
Call the hailstorm lawyers at The Moore Law Firm if you need to discuss legal action against your insurance provider. According to Texas Law, insurance companies may potentially be held liable for up to THREE TIMES the damages for acting in bad faith. We are here to help you navigate the insurance claims process and get the compensation you deserve. You may be owed much more than you have already been paid. Contact us today for your free initial consultation at 956-630-HAIL or visit mcallenhailstorm.com for more information.