CC Future Mobility Nov 2023 V2

Softball size hail pummels Wylie

by | Apr 13, 2016 | Latest

Joe Reavis/The Wylie News Plate glass windows at A New You were smashed by hailstones as big as softballs that stuck Wylie early Monday evening.

Plate glass windows at Amazed by You were smashed by hailstones as big as softballs that stuck Wylie early Monday evening.

Debri sits out infont of the Chase Bank off Hwy. 78 following a hail storm late Monday.

Debri sits out in front of the Chase Bank off Hwy. 78 following a hail storm late Monday.

Roofers work to clean up the mess left behind following the hail storm late Monday.

Roofers work to clean up the mess left behind following the hail storm late Monday.

Wylie residents and property owners arose Tuesday morning to survey the damage of a hail storm that pounded town with stones up to softball size.

The storm hit about 6:15 p.m. Monday, leaving broken windows and leaking roofs in its wake.

“We made over 200 responses. There were some minor injuries and just a lot of damage,” Wylie Fire Rescue Chief Brent Parker said. “We had agencies from all across the metroplex helping us make those calls.”

Parker reported that the Public Safety Building sustained “tremendous” damage. Police Det. Nuria Arroyo said that ceilings collapsed throughout the building and that the department will move part of its operations to City Hall until repairs can be made.

Wylie Independent School District cancelled classes for Tuesday as damage was assessed and temporary repairs were made.

Oncor Electric crews were in town early Tuesday restoring power to several areas and Texas Department of Transportation workers were repairing some signal light functions.

The hail that hit Wylie punctured shingles, roof decking and ceilings. Wooden fences were splintered throughout town.

“Hail was coming through the roof and into the living areas,” Anthony Alvizo, 1016 Foxwood, said. “You wouldn’t believe how loud it was.”

Hailstones that pummeled a wide area of Wylie were traveling in excess of 106 miles per hour. The National Severe Storms Laboratory calculates that a stone 3.15 inches in diameter weighs 1.54 pounds and reaches a velocity of 106 mph. Hail that hit Wylie was bigger and was moving faster.

Alvizo reported that 18 solar energy panels on the roof of his house were destroyed, and said that his next door neighbor lost 71 solar panels. On the bright side, the homeowner said the solar panels saved the master bedroom below. Upstairs rooms of the house were all damaged.

“Water was all over the place,” Alvizo said. “It was running down the walls.

In some neighborhoods Tuesday, it was difficult to drive down streets because of congestion created by repair crew trucks. Roofing crews and home repair contractors descended on Wylie at first light.

New Wylie residents Justin and Jacqueline Grayczyk got an early taste of Texas weather after moving here about four months ago from Chicago, Ill.

“We did not expect this to be Texas weather,” Jacqueline said. “Chicago is looking a lot better, but I still love it here.”

The couple was at Home Depot, as were hundreds of other people, Wednesday morning to load up on plywood, lumber and other needed repair materials. Four windows of their house were knocked out and they counted 30 holes in the roof.

North Texas Roofing Contractors Association warns property owners to beware of scams in the wake of the devastating storm. For information on how to select a roofing contractor, go to www.ntrca.com.

By Joe Reavis • Staff Writer • [email protected]

CC Future Mobility Nov 2023 V2

0 Comments

Order photos

Related News

Nonprofit focuses on public speaking skills

Nonprofit focuses on public speaking skills

Wylie Wisecrackers Toastmasters (WWT) is a mouthful, in more ways than one. “Our premise is helping people become more comfortable with public speaking,” WWT Vice President of Education and Public Relations Gary Moore said. Moore has been a member of Toastmasters...

read more
Raiders run out of steam against DeSoto

Raiders run out of steam against DeSoto

Derrick Guzman and Michael Henderson III close in on DeSoto’s Deondrae Riden Jr. in Wylie East’s playoff loss to the Eagles.    Photo by Austin Smith ARLINGTON - The Wylie East Raiders saw their season come to an end at the hands of the top-ranked...

read more
WF-R rescues boy, multiple pets from housefire

WF-R rescues boy, multiple pets from housefire

Wylie Fire Rescue rescued one boy, three dogs and 13 cats from a housefire Saturday morning. Photos courtesy Rick/Alicia White Wylie Fire Rescue rescued one boy, three dogs and 13 cats from a housefire Saturday morning. Responding to a 911 call for a structure fire at...

read more
Veterans honored at annual event

Veterans honored at annual event

Wylie  ISD AFJROTC cadets participate in the 25th annual Veterans Day Program, Friday, Nov. 10, at Wylie Stadium. The event honored local veterans who are serving or have served their country. Jeremy Hallock/The Wylie  News A crowd that included over 100 local...

read more
WISD, Collin County bond elections pass

WISD, Collin County bond elections pass

The Tuesday, Nov. 7 elections decided the fate of constitutional amendments approved for the ballot by state lawmakers along with bond elections from Collin County and Wylie ISD.  At the local level, Wylie voters approved Wylie Independent School District’s $298...

read more
Wylie East advances to Area Round

Wylie East advances to Area Round

Michael Henderson III crosses the goal line for one of his two touchdowns on the night in Wylie East’s win over Tyler Legacy.   Photo by Oladipo Awowale WYLIE – Wylie East has won their first playoff game since 2016. The Raiders rode their defense in a...

read more
CC Future Mobility Nov 2023 V2