Everything’s Bigger in Texas
Anyone that’s ever been trapped in a hailstorm understands exactly how furious these phenomena can be. With little to no warning, hailstorms can cause an immense amount of damage to homes, vehicles, and even people. And much like the adage, “everything’s bigger in Texas,” the hail from Texas hailstorms can grow to enormous sizes.
In fact, the issue of hail damage has become so prevalent in Texas that it’s taken on a bit of a viral identity, with many Texas residents posting their improvised solutions for protecting their vehicles and homes on Instagram and Twitter.
And it appears that this trend of violent weather may continue over the following years. Spurred on by a combination of climate change and yearly weather patterns, meteorologists and citizens alike are preparing for vicious spring storms in 2022.
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How Hailstorms Form
Hail typically forms due to super-cooled droplets of water forming in the higher sections of storm clouds. These small pieces of ice fall due to downdrafts of air but can be lifted back up due to updrafts, allowing them to form another layer. Depending on the size and severity of these drafts, hailstones can go through this process numerous times, growing larger each time until, ultimately, they’re too heavy and fall to the ground.
In most regions of the U.S. with a moderate climate, hailstones are a somewhat rare occurrence that can cause damage to the finish of uncovered vehicles. However, in Texas, these stones can grow large enough to destroy one. To put this in perspective, the catastrophic damages caused by these extreme storms across Texas and Oklahoma were estimated to reach nearly a billion dollars in 2021 alone.
In April of that same year, a large “supercell” storm formed over Medina County, dropping hail that ranged in size from 4 to a state-record breaking 6.4 inches in diameter. For context, most meteorologists use everyday objects to help compare hail sizes. And most authorities determine a hailstone of 4 inches to be “softball-sized.” Pieces of ice, like those seen in Medina County, can be devastating, fully capable of destroying homes, totaling cars, and killing any living thing in its path. And these gigantic falling ice bricks aren’t just a fluke! With weather events growing larger and more violent due to climate change, meteorologists and scientists expect these weather patterns to continue and worsen over time.
Bracing for Impact and Preparing for the Worst
If you live in an area that regularly has extreme weather patterns, you most likely are well-aware of Mother Nature’s wrath and have planned accordingly. However, it’s never a bad idea to have a good plan! Below, we’ve put together a checklist to help you be prepared before and during violent storms.
Before the storm
1. Stay vigilant about upcoming weather
You will want to keep a regular watch on your local weather forecasts and sign up for advance storm warnings so that you’ll always have an idea of what weather events you’ll face day-to-day.
2. Prepare your home
- Inspect and maintain the roof of your home, metal garage, or prefab metal building to ensure no debris or damage. The best way to stop leaks is before they start!
- Trim your trees and shrubbery to prevent damage to your property from fallen limbs and debris.
- Clean and maintain drainpipes to ensure proper water flow. Backed-up water can cause enormous property damage.
- Purchase hail damage insurance. With the chances of severe weather in Texas, it’s a no-brainer that you will need homeowners and hail insurance.
- Properly store your vehicles! Certified metal buildings are a great option to protect your cars, trucks, RVs, and valuables safe from hail damage. A small investment in a custom metal building can save you a ton of money in the long run!
During the storm
1. Take Shelter
- Find shelter in a solid building away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.
- If shelter can’t be found, crouch and protect your head and neck with your arms.
- Anywhere there’s thunder, there’s sure to be lightning! Stay vigilant about lightning by avoiding tall or large metal objects.
2. While Driving
- Safely pull over and protect yourself in case your windows shatter.
- If possible, find an overpass or overhang to cover your vehicle.
3. On Foot
- If you’re outdoors, you’ll want to seek shelter immediately.
- If you suspect a tornado, find a low-lying ditch or culvert and lay prone with your arms covering your head until the storm passes.
Looking to Protect your Vehicles, Equipment, and Valuables from Storms and Hail Damage? Call American Metal Buildings!
The weather in the southern regions of the United States can be vicious, and meteorologists predict that weather patterns in Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma will be especially troublesome in the spring of 2022. In the previous year, hail damage alone caused nearly a billion dollars in damages. So, if you live in this region, you’d do well to be prepared!
And there’s no better way of protecting your stuff from hail damage than with Texas metal buildings by American Metal Buildings. For years we have proudly offered premium metal buildings and kits to customers in most of the U.S. These buildings are constructed out of incredibly strong and durable steel and certified to withstand the weather in most states! This resiliency makes them your best defense against wind, rain, and catastrophic hailstorms.
Our metal building kits are versatile and completely customizable, giving you the power to design them to meet your exact needs. You can customize your new building to suit any need or aesthetic, from the dimensions to accent colors and roofing systems.
Whether you need a small equipment shed or a large warehouse, our team of specialists has the experience and skill to get it done and done right! Give us a call today at 877-277-3060, and let us help you protect your assets and investments.