Weather update from Dallas

seadoug

seadoug

Well-known Member
Location
Texas
We've been having some pretty severe thunderstorms but not like this last one! At 6:30 this morning Hubby woke me from a deep sleep to say the tornado sirens were going off. We spent 30 minutes in a half bath under the stairs with the two cats, then left and the sirens returned. Shortly afterward, our power went out.

He went into his store this morning, which had no power, and I went to Starbucks to charge my phone. Starbucks was PACKED because 600,000 people in the Dallas area lost power. There are downed trees all over the place. It reminds me of the many hurricanes we went through in South Florida. Turns out, the winds were equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.

We just got power back a few minutes ago. The storm brought in cooler winds so today was comfortable. We were thrilled that our house was still standing and were willing to do whatever was needed for the next few days to live without power, but I did the Happy Dance when the power came back on.

I had a friend coming in from Miami for a conference and we were going to have dinner tonight. Her flight circled for 2 hours over DFW and her hotel had no power. We were both exhausted so we canceled.

I haven't seen a storm with winds this strong in the 18 years we've lived in Dallas. Based on the weather patterns we are seeing these days, I'm looking into a generator.
 

@seadoug same here but I did not lose power. The worst was Sunday evening about 7. I was sleeping due to migraine. Woke to what sounded like a low flying jet then the siren started, then the noise.

I ran to the garage, I had left the car out. Opened the door and it was like that scene in Forest Gump. There was stinging rain, swirling rain, sideways rain. Worst of all there was hail the size of golf balls! So, the door was closed and we all retreated to the hall bath.

I did get out there later to bring the car in. I have some branches and dead limbs down. A big mess!! I have not looked at the car today. The roof of the house will have to be checked. I have plenty of insurance so I am not going to worry about it. The migraine continues and I have slept most of the day.

It is supposed to be coming again tonight. Did you see the clip on the news showing the plane being blown by the wind from the gate?
 
I haven't seen a storm with winds this strong in the 18 years we've lived in Dallas. Based on the weather patterns we are seeing these days, I'm looking into a generator.

Texas has been hit hard in the past couple of years, and it's only going to get worse as the climate changes. I would agree with you on getting a generator. You can spend thousands for a "whole house" Generac....or if you have a nearby Harbor Freight store, you can get a portable generator which can supply 8 or 10K watts for a reasonable price that will supply the basics for about $1k. That is enough to keep the lights on, and the fridge, etc. going. I would also suggest a basic propane camping stove to heat some food and water.

When we moved to the boondocks, I got both. My generator is only 8500 watts, but it gives us lights, TV, keeps the refrigerator going, and runs a couple of fans in hot weather, or a space heater when it's cold. For a few hours, or a couple of days without power, these units can make a world of difference.
 

Yes, this latest storm passed through here around mid morning, I was afraid it was going to blow trees over, the wind was unreal. I had power but many in my area did not, my daughter was without power all day.....many tree limbs down, it will take days to clean up.
 
I was always skeptical about flying into DFW in the spring and summer. The weather forecast for Dallas-Ft. Worth may be good when departing our departure city, but 3-5 hours later arriving at DFW, the whole forecast may have changed. I have seen some wicked thunderstorms in that area during my flying days.

I still remember the Delta jet that went down at DFW during a microburst. They were flying an L-1011, the plane that was supposed to be the most perfect and safest jet produced at that time.
 
Blessed said:
@seadoug same here but I did not lose power. The worst was Sunday evening about 7. I was sleeping due to migraine. Woke to what sounded like a low flying jet then the siren started, then the noise.

I ran to the garage, I had left the car out. Opened the door and it was like that scene in Forest Gump. There was stinging rain, swirling rain, sideways rain. Worst of all there was hail the size of golf balls! So, the door was closed and we all retreated to the hall bath.

I did get out there later to bring the car in. I have some branches and dead limbs down. A big mess!! I have not looked at the car today. The roof of the house will have to be checked. I have plenty of insurance so I am not going to worry about it. The migraine continues and I have slept most of the day.

It is supposed to be coming again tonight. Did you see the clip on the news showing the plane being blown by the wind from the gate?
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No, I think we should be okay tonight. Storms are called for on and off from Friday to Sunday, but none of the weather people seem to know whether Dallas will be hit again.

I'm glad you are okay and didn't lose power. As of mid-day, there were still over 200,000 people without power in the Dallas area! They are saying it may take days for some to be restored, and the heat and humidity are returning!

And yes, I saw that plane at DFW being blown away from the gate. Apparently there are people sleeping all over DFW because the airlines are trying to catch up due to the storm.
 
oldman said:
I was always skeptical about flying into DFW in the spring and summer. The weather forecast for Dallas-Ft. Worth may be good when departing our departure city, but 3-5 hours later arriving at DFW, the whole forecast may have changed. I have seen some wicked thunderstorms in that area during my flying days.

I still remember the Delta jet that went down at DFW during a microburst. They were flying an L-1011, the plane that was supposed to be the most perfect and safest jet produced at that time.
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When we moved here, someone said "if you don't like the weather in Dallas it could change in 15 minutes". Boy, was she right!
 
Wet week ahead!!!
Screenshot-2024-05-30-4-16-03-AM.png
 
seadoug said:
We've been having some pretty severe thunderstorms but not like this last one! At 6:30 this morning Hubby woke me from a deep sleep to say the tornado sirens were going off. We spent 30 minutes in a half bath under the stairs with the two cats, then left and the sirens returned. Shortly afterward, our power went out.

He went into his store this morning, which had no power, and I went to Starbucks to charge my phone. Starbucks was PACKED because 600,000 people in the Dallas area lost power. There are downed trees all over the place. It reminds me of the many hurricanes we went through in South Florida. Turns out, the winds were equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane.

We just got power back a few minutes ago. The storm brought in cooler winds so today was comfortable. We were thrilled that our house was still standing and were willing to do whatever was needed for the next few days to live without power, but I did the Happy Dance when the power came back on.

I had a friend coming in from Miami for a conference and we were going to have dinner tonight. Her flight circled for 2 hours over DFW and her hotel had no power. We were both exhausted so we canceled.

I haven't seen a storm with winds this strong in the 18 years we've lived in Dallas. Based on the weather patterns we are seeing these days, I'm looking into a generator.
Click to expand...
A generator is a great idea.
 
Had more rain today, no wind, no hail. Could not sleep last night so I went to Walmart for a few groceries at the crack of dawn. Neighbor came out and called to me. They have already called their insurance, as well as the neighbor next to them. Looks like they will need a new roof from the hail strom.

I have not called my insurance yet as out bad weather continues at this time of year. The one thing I have are large trees that cover most of my roof. That may have helped prevent damage. I find so many rush about these things. There are no leaks in the house.

It is often better to wait until the rush is over. So many scammers come into areas that have had storm damage, they pick the wrong company and get a bad job on repairs. I am always cautious, get multiple estimates and references. I just had to replace the roof in 2017, I got an excellent job and they left no mess, I did not have to worry about nails and things in the yard.

I hope the trees will save me, I have insurance, very good insurance but the deductible will be high because of the increase in home values these last few years. Does not matter what we do as seniors there is always something that will cost an arm and a leg to take get fixed. At least, now everyone will understand why I am frugal and watch my pennies. I don't like to have to worry when things like this occur.
 
I was just heading out this afternoon. The skies were black, and drivers had their flashers on driving along slowly due to the heavy rain and flooding. I turned around and pulled back in the garage. That's when the hail started. I just missed it. I'm used to heavy storms as we used to get them almost every afternoon in Florida, but I've never endured so many days of rain, wind and hail as I've seen recently in Dallas.

Re: your roof, I've been through quite a few hail storms in our house. There was one a few years ago that was so bad State Farm set up a tent so they could inspect vehicles. I had a roofer come out a couple of years ago to inspect my roof and he said there is minor pocking but nothing that would make it worth the replacement cost. You may not need repairs.

I'm glad you're okay!
 
Thank you so much for the update Doug. And thank God you two were not injured, your home is still standing and you didn't lose power for too long. I saw where some in hard hit areas would have to go days without power. Not a good thing with the heat wave hitting us. I've been very concerned about you after seeing so many reports of the treacherous weather in your area. Seems it wasn't letting up either. It must've been scary. Again...so glad you're okay!
 

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