Hail And High Winds Remind Us To Prepare For Storms: Here’s Why

The weather in West Texas has been on a wild roller coaster ride lately. One day it's a blazing 100 degrees and sunny, and the next it’s 79°F with 80 mph winds, sheets of rain, flash flooding, and hail the size of quarters. I know firsthand, at my house, I watched hailstones drop fast and hard, dinging cars and littering the yard like silver marbles from the sky. and some funnel clouds and tornadoes in the area.

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While the hail wasn’t the biggest I’ve ever seen, it was enough to remind me of the damage these storms can do, from rooftops and trees to HVAC units that sit unprotected outside. If you haven’t already, it’s time to check your home systems and prepare for more storms ahead.

Furthermore, KTXS-TV Abilene had some very scary video of the damage these storms are causing,(see the video below). The KTXS-TV Channel-12 Studios took on quite a bit of damage due to the storm that is now believed that it may have been a tornado.

Why It’s Happening: Hurricane Season Is Here

We're now at the start of hurricane season, and whether storms form in the Gulf of Mexico or drift in from the Pacific, Texas always seems to catch a piece of the chaos. Even though we’re far from the coast here in the Big Country, these tropical systems can push severe weather deep into our region, and they’re only getting stronger and more unpredictable.

Governor Abbott Urges Texans to Prepare Now

Texas Governor Greg Abbott just met with the heads of major energy companies, including CenterPoint, AEP Texas, and Entergy. His message: be ready. Energy executives assured the Governor they’ve made key resiliency investments, are deploying emergency linemen, and have communication systems ready in case of widespread outages.

Read More: 3 Simple Easy Ways to Live Mosquito Free in West Texas

Abbott emphasized that Texas' power grid, already tested by past storms, must stand strong through this season. "Texans rely on efficient restoration efforts to keep lives safe," he said, underlining the importance of coordination between energy companies and local responders.

Don’t Wait for the Next Storm to Hit

These storms are coming fast, and they don’t give you a warning. Like me, you might forget to pull your vehicles into the garage, only to regret it when the hail starts falling. Learn from my mistake, now’s the time to trim your trees, cover your AC units, secure outdoor furniture, and check your insurance policies.

Texas is tough, but preparation makes us tougher. Let’s all do our part to stay safe, protect our homes, and weather whatever hurricane season has in store.