Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena - CIG

3. LARGE HAIL, STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN DAMAGE FLORIDAA severe thunderstorm struck Pasco County, near the town of Zephyrhills in west-central Florida onJanuary 29. The thunderstorm produced heavy rain, dime-sized hail and a downburst which created 60mph wind gusts. The high winds and heavy rain moved the hail on the ground into the low lying area andfilled shallow ravines with up to four feet of hail. The downburst was confirmed by a damage surveyshortly after the storm. Trees and debris were blown in different directions, called a “starburst pattern”,indicating a strong outflow had occurred . There were no deaths or injuries reported due to the storm anddamage was light with estimates near $10 thousand dollars.Left:A map of the affected area.The storm track is indicatedin bold arrows. The higherground is shown in thehatched area. Note thesmall arrows indicating thedirection of the fallen treesand the debris field.(Map courtesy of Walt Zaleski,WCM, NWS, Tampa, FL)Right: Mr. Chuck Tear, the PascoCounty, FL EmergencyManagement Coordinator, isstanding knee deep in the hailwhich was washed into shallowravines. He is scooping ahandful of dime-sized hail outof the hail drift which was alsocovered by a layer of strawfrom nearby fields.(Photo courtesy of Walt Zaleski, WCM,NWS, Tampa, FL)7