Thunderstorms strike Houston, softball-size hail hits Hitchcock, Texas HOUSTON, April 3 (UPI) -- The Houston area was struck by strong thunderstorms that included softball-sized hail in the nearby town of Hitchcock, the National Weather Service reported. The hailstorm late Tuesday shattered windows, tore roofs and smashed cars in Hitchcock, damaging a church, a fire station, two trailer parks and seven of the town's 11 police cars, the Houston Chronicle said. CenterPoint Energy reported Wednesday morning about 17,000 of its customers, throughout the Houston area, were without electrical power. More showers, but little severe weather, are expected before the thunderstorms leave the area Thursday, said Patrick Blood, a National Weather Service meteorologist.