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North Texans are bracing for possible severe storms on Monday, with tornado and severe thunderstorm watches in effect for several counties.
At 2:13 p.m., the National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch for seven North Texas counties, including Cooke, Denton, Grayson, Jack, Montague, Wise, and Young, until 9 p.m.
Shortly after, at 2:31 p.m., a severe thunderstorm watch was issued for Eastland, Palo Pinto, Erath, Parker, Hood, and Stephens counties until 9 p.m.
The main concerns include large hail and damaging winds exceeding 60 mph.
Residents like Geoff Gray from Little Elm in Denton County are taking precautions. Gray purchased air mattresses to protect against hail, which he’s using to cover some of his home windows.
“Just trying to get prepared for what’s coming. Heard it could be big,” Gray explained.
Damage from the last hailstorm, just over two weeks ago, is still visible. Gray’s furniture shows dents, his roof is covered with a tarp, and many of his neighbors’ roofs are also damaged.
“Everybody’s house has tarps on them right now. I mean, it was a pretty bad storm,” Gray said. “There’s holes in the roof, and the ventilation—you know, the vents in the top, they have holes in them.”
Following severe weather events like this, the Insurance Council of Texas has issued warnings about fraudulent contractors.
“Unscrupulous contractors may try to get money upfront and then disappear,” spokesperson Rich Johnson cautioned.
Johnson advised against paying a contractor the full amount upfront and warned that it’s illegal for a contractor to offer to pay your deductible.
He recommended checking with the Better Business Bureau, seeking recommendations from friends and family, or consulting with your insurance company for preferred contractors.