Hailstorms blast through Central Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Damaging severe thunderstorms and hail erupted over the Texas Hill Country on Wednesday, prompting tornado and severe-storm warnings across much of the area. 

While no tornadoes have been confirmed, reports of hail damage continue to pour in from north and northwest Austin.

Many afternoon commuters were caught on Highway 183 as golf ball- to- tennis ball-sized hail rained down on them. Windshields were reported broken in numerous vehicles, some of which were left stranded on the freeway.

Several homes also suffered broken windows by wind-driven hail, and many automobiles received hail damage.

The storms weakened as they  moved across the reset of the metro area, but continued to produce heavy rain, small hail, gusty winds and lightning.

The tornado watch was cancelled for the Austin metro counties after the storm passed.

Many residents in Llano County and southern Burnet County spent the hours after the storm cleaning up broken glass from cars and homes.  Residents in Horseshoe Bay reported tennis-ball sized hail.  Hail busted the skylights out of more than a dozen homes on the same street in Meadowlakes.  There were still hail stones on the ground hours after the storm.

Hail as big as golf balls pounded parts of North Austin, damaging several homes.  "It was just fast and furious.  Big time hail!" said Ken Ballage.  The storm knocked out four of his home's five skylights.  Other homeowners near Ballage plan to have their roofs checked in the coming days for hail damage.

The storm hit at rush hour and many drivers could not get their cars to cover.   Tracy Drolletti was one of the drivers on 183 when the storm hit.  Hail shattered her car's back window. 

"It started coming down.  I looked behind me, the whole thing was shattered.  No good at all," said Drolletti.

But the storm will likely mean good business for the people who repair damaged vehicles.  The Cedar Park Body and Frame shop is already getting a lot of requests for repairs. 

"A hail storm like this you can see anything from 50 to 70 percent increase in the amount of vehicles they drop off on top of regular collision." said Jason Hart who works at the shop.

Check our Severe Weather Guide for tips in a tornado.

Watch the radar on our Severe Weather Page.

Read Jim Spencer's blog for updates.

Austin Hail 3/25/09 from Daryl Fojtik on Vimeo.