Isolated to scattered thunderstorms impacted the South Plains of west Texas during the late afternoon and evening hours of the 12th.
Storms initially developed west of a dryline over the central South Plains after 17:00 CST. This activity resulted in damaging dry microbursts along the Interstate 27 corridor in Swisher and Lubbock Counties. As thunderstorms increased in coverage and moved eastward over the Rolling Plains, numerous reports of large hail up to the size of golfballs were received.
In addition to the impacts from severe convection, dry lightning sparked a 1,250 acre fire south of Muleshoe (Bailey County). The fire remained in open range land and only damaged utility poles and fences.

Thunderstorm Wind in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 12-MAY-09 16:59:00 to 12-MAY-09 17:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: KRESS
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Downburst activity was associated with both a hail producing severe storm near Happy and with high-based and weaker convection that extended southward along the Interstate 27 corridor to near Kress. Strong winds and blinding dust reportedly contributed to at least one automobile accident along Interstate 27 near Kress at 16:59 CST. Although two vehicles were involved in the collision, no injuries were reported. The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site near Tulia recorded a 59 mph thunderstorm wind gust at 17:20 CST. In addition, a delayed report was received from a VORTEX II field research project participant who reported that severe thunderstorm winds had downed utility lines along Farm to Market Road 2698 west of Vigo Park.

Hail in COTTLE, TEXAS
From 12-MAY-09 19:17:00 to 12-MAY-09 19:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: CEE VEE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Multiple reports of large hail that ranged in size from pennies to golfballs were received from areas near Cee Vee to the east of Cee Vee along U.S. Highway 83. No damage was reported.

Hail in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 12-MAY-09 17:17:00 to 12-MAY-09 17:23:00 (CST-6)
Location: HAPPY
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Local law enforcement officials and storm chasers reported quarter to half dollar size hail along Interstate 27 near Happy.

Hail in KENT, TEXAS
From 12-MAY-09 19:15:00 to 12-MAY-09 19:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: GIRARD
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Nickel size hail was reported in Girard.

Hail in MOTLEY, TEXAS
From 12-MAY-09 18:58:00 to 12-MAY-09 18:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: NORTHFIELD
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported penny size hail along Farm to Market Road 94 just south-southwest of Northfield.

Hail in CHILDRESS, TEXAS
From 12-MAY-09 19:37:00 to 12-MAY-09 19:37:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHILDRESS
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Skywarn storm spotters reported nickel size hail near Childress.

Hail in MOTLEY, TEXAS
From 12-MAY-09 18:30:00 to 12-MAY-09 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: MATADOR
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A National Weather Service cooperative observer reported penny size hail northwest of Matador.

Thunderstorm Wind in KING, TEXAS
From 12-MAY-09 19:40:00 to 12-MAY-09 19:40:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUTHRIE
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site measured a 58 mph thunderstorm wind gust southwest of Guthrie. No damage was reported.

Hail in KING, TEXAS
From 12-MAY-09 19:45:00 to 12-MAY-09 20:05:00 (CST-6)
Location: GUTHRIE
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A National Weather Service cooperative observer reported nickel size hail near Southcamp (10 miles southwest of Guthrie) at 19:45 CST. The public additionally reported penny size hail along Farm to Market Road 222 in extreme eastern King County at 20:05 CST.

Wildfire in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 12-MAY-09 16:00:00 to 12-MAY-09 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Park/Forest Service

Hail in HALL, TEXAS
From 12-MAY-09 17:56:00 to 12-MAY-09 17:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: TURKEY
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Multiple reports of nickel to golfball size hail were received by storm chasers in the vicinity of Turkey. No damage was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 12-MAY-09 18:35:00 to 12-MAY-09 18:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: LUBBOCK
Magnitude: 48.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Minor wind damage was reported in parts of south-central Lubbock as dry microburst wind activity impacted the city. Tree limbs were reportedly blown down by winds estimated near 55 mph by the public at 85th and Indiana. A satellite dish was blown off of a roof and a dog house was overturned. No significant damage or injuries were reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHILDRESS, TEXAS
From 12-MAY-09 18:41:00 to 12-MAY-09 19:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: (CDS)CHILDRESS ARPT
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Both the Childress Municipal Airport Automated Surface Observation System and the Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet site northeast of Childress recorded severe wind gusts as thunderstorms impacted the Childress vicinity around 19:00 CST on the 12th.
A thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph was initially measured at the airport at 18:41 CST. The mesonet site later recorded a gust of 65 mph at 19:04 CST. Storm chasers observed a number of gustnado-type vortices around the parent severe thunderstorm. No damage was reported.