The storm also touched parts of Texas, bringing the same hail and heavy rainfall on Wednesday night. The storm is currently tracking northeastward, mainly hitting the areas north of Dallas and Fort Worth. Yesterday was certainly a billion-dollar hail loss day across the U.S., Northern Illinois University meteorologist Victor Gensini told USA Today. San Antonio and Fort Worth, Texas – along with Norman – were all impacted with large to significant hail. In addition, there was one gargantuan (4 inch) hail report near Hondo, Texas.
The largest hail size was at about 3.25 inches, and reported out of the Hillcrest Airport area northeast of Fort Worth.
Hailstones as big as fists were reported during storms Wednesday night and Thursday morning that pelted a swath from South Texas to Oklahoma, incurring damage costs estimated to be as much as $1 billion.
The Austin area endured a fitful night of lightning, thunder and waves of rain, but it did not see the worst of the hail damage. But the city and its environs did get a welcome dose of precipitation as drought conditions in Texas persist.
Data this week from the U.S. Drought Monitor, a consortium of academic and government researchers, showed that about 87% of Texas was experiencing some degree of drought. At this time last year, that number was only about 29%.
Hail of a mess msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
CPS graduates seeking teaching careers now have access to a new scholarship program that aims to increase diversity among Chicago educators.
The Supporting Emerging Educators Development scholarship announced Wednesday will target CPS graduates participating in Teach Chicago Tomorrow, a new initiative between City Colleges and CPS that carves a pathway for students to go to college and then become full-time CPS teachers.
“The cost of college can no longer be a barrier to our students’ aspirations, in particular the many Black, Latinx and low-income students we serve,” said Juan Salgado, chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago.
“It will help transform our city, creating a more diverse teacher workforce and a more inclusive economy,” he added.