WICHITA FALLS, TX – Strong thunderstorms pounded the Wichita Falls area late Friday night and into early Saturday morning, leaving behind a trail of hail damage, especially in local businesses like Smith’s Gardentown on Seymour Highway.
The National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, tracked a severe thunderstorm capable of producing hail up to 2 inches in diameter, which passed directly over the city.
Smith’s Gardentown Suffers Significant Hail Damage
Among the hardest-hit places was Smith’s Gardentown, a family-owned plant nursery located at 4940 Seymour Highway. The storm left behind extensive damage across the nursery’s four acres of greenhouses, many of which are made from a mix of glass, polycarbonate, and polyethylene roofing.
“It was pretty shocking walking in and seeing the roof just all in pieces down on the floor,” said Michael Fiore, the company’s Chief Operating Officer.
While the glass-covered areas were mostly spared, the tropical greenhouse sustained minor hail damage, and the bedding plant greenhouse was completely destroyed.
Trees, Shrubs, and Roofing Take the Hit
The storm didn’t just damage roofing — it also stripped trees and shrubs of their leaves and bark, snapping limbs and leaving behind a heavy cleanup. Fiore estimates that tens of thousands of dollars in inventory, especially trees and shrubs, may be lost due to the storm.
Insurance Process Underway
Smith’s Gardentown has already begun the insurance claims process. Fiore noted that the team must carefully document everything, including:
- Photos of the damage
- Inventory losses
- Hours spent on cleanup
Despite the challenges ahead, Fiore expressed hope that they would rebuild and continue serving the community.