Moist upslope flow along a retreating east-west oriented surface boundary focused scattered thunderstorms early this evening across the western South Plains. Ample wind shear and instability allowed several of these storms to quickly become supercellular producing very large hail, some giant, accompanied by destructive straight-line winds as they drifted east-southeast. The most prolific supercell developed west-northwest of Levelland around 1800 CST and moved eastward near Highway 114 before merging with another supercell near the Hockley-Lubbock County line. At this point, the supercell intensified further and turned southeast moving across southwest and south-central Lubbock County as a significant high precipitation supercell. Destructive winds and very large hail (up to softball size in a few locations) accompanied this storm as it tracked from near Smyer southeast to Woodrow creating extensive damage to structures and vehicles in its path. A NWS storm survey revealed the most significant damage occurred from wind-driven hail along FM 41 just west of Highway 87 and also between FM 179 and Woodrow Road. In some instances, the west-facing exterior of homes in these areas was completely shredded. This damage was compounded by the supercell's slow motion which resulted in up to a 15-minute period of destructive wind gusts as high as 95 mph as measured by a West Texas Mesonet site located 6SSW Wolfforth.
Later this evening, the low-level jet intensified and ignited additional severe storms over portions of the central and southern South Plains. One of these storms was a slow-moving elevated supercell that moved over areas of southeast Hockley and southwest Lubbock Counties previously impacted by the earlier supercell. This storm created additional instances of large hail; however, excessive rainfall in a short time span over already wet soils lead to large areas of mostly rural flooding. Many roads especially between Levelland and Wolfforth became impassable due to swollen playa lakes. Nearly 20 miles of FM 1585 was inundated with water and disabled at least two vehicles.
Total economic losses were estimated at $25 million.

Flood in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 21:33:00 to 30-APR-12 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROPESVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

Slow-moving thunderstorms moved repeatedly over portions of southeast Hockley County this night deluging some rural areas with up to five inches of rain in three hours. An estimated 20-mile stretch of FM 1585 between Highways 385 and 62/82 became impassable by floodwaters that at times reached nearly three feet deep. At least two cars became disabled after motorists attempted to cross the floodwaters. No injuries were reported.

Hail in LYNN, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 22:12:00 to 29-APR-12 22:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAHOKA
Magnitude: 2.00 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Large hail fell in Tahoka from 2212-2215 CST as reported by a CO-OP observer and a NWS employee. The largest hail up to two inches in diameter fell at 2215 CST. Damage was unknown.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 22:31:00 to 29-APR-12 22:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEVELLAND MUNI ARPT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Fences were blown down at FM 1585 and FM 3261. The blown down fences allowed between 50 and 60 head of cattle to become loose and block a roadway.

Hail in LAMB, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 18:35:00 to 29-APR-12 18:35:00 (CST-6)
Location: LITTLEFIELD
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A left splitting storm from the Hockley County supercell moved northeast and produced golfball size hail in Littlefield. No reports of damage were received.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 18:58:00 to 29-APR-12 18:58:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEVELLAND
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 3.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Off-duty NWS employees estimated winds around 50 knots in the rear flank downdraft of a supercell. These winds snapped a power pole 2E Levelland along Highway 114.

Funnel Cloud in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 19:44:00 to 29-APR-12 19:44:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLFFORTH
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A Skywarn storm spotter observed a funnel cloud about 5SW Wolfforth from a high-precipitation supercell.

Thunderstorm Wind in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 19:50:00 to 29-APR-12 20:10:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLFFORTH
Magnitude: 83.00 MG
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Destructive downburst winds occurred for a period of 20 minutes immediately south and west of the track of a mesocyclone moving southeast across far southwest Lubbock County. A West Texas mesonet site located 6SSW Wolfforth sampled this region of the supercell and measured the following winds over a span of 20 consecutive minutes:
750 pm CST: West at 51 mph gusting to 80 mph /
755 pm CST: West at 61 mph gusting to 85 mph /
800 pm CST: Northwest at 71 mph gusting to 95 mph /
805 pm CST: Northwest at 55 mph gusting to 70 mph /
810 pm CST: North at 50 mph gusting to 76 mph /
A NWS storm survey revealed that a few trees were uprooted about 5S Wolfforth and that nearby roofs from a house and mobile home were removed.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 20:00:00 to 29-APR-12 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROPESVILLE
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 6.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

A utility company reported three downed power poles west of Highways 62 and 82 along Foster Road.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 20:30:00 to 29-APR-12 20:30:00 (CST-6)
Location: ARNETT
Magnitude: 61.00 EG
Property damage: 6.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Unknown

Three power poles were knocked over northeast of the intersection of Highway 385 and FM 41.

Hail in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 21:04:00 to 29-APR-12 21:04:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLFFORTH
Magnitude: 2.50 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

An amateur radio operator reported 2.5 inch diameter hail 5E Ropesville along SR 41. No damage was reported.

Hail in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 19:51:00 to 29-APR-12 20:33:00 (CST-6)
Location: DOUD
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 20.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A destructive high-precipitation supercell exited Hockley County and continued moving southeast across southwest Lubbock County. A significant hailswath accompanied this supercell with hailstones as large as baseballs at times. Reports of baseball size hail were received from the following locations: Slide Rd and 150th St, 120th St and Milwaukee Ave, and also along FM 41 just west and east of Highway 87. Damage to vehicles and homes in this hailswath was severe with many windshields, windows and skylights completely destroyed. Several hundred homes will likely require new roofs.

Hail in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 21:12:00 to 29-APR-12 21:12:00 (CST-6)
Location: SLATON
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported quarter size hail. No damage was reported.

Hail in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 20:15:00 to 29-APR-12 20:15:00 (CST-6)
Location: LEVELLAND
Magnitude: 0.88 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Law enforcement reported nickel size hail. No damage was reported.

Hail in TERRY, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 20:31:00 to 29-APR-12 20:31:00 (CST-6)
Location: UNION
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter lost a windshield to baseball size hail about 3WSW Union.

Hail in LYNN, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 20:38:00 to 29-APR-12 20:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: WILSON
Magnitude: 2.75 
Property damage: 1.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter lost a windshield 7E New Home.

Hail in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 20:50:00 to 29-APR-12 20:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROPESVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A meteorologist with Texas Tech reported quarter size hail and heavy flooding along FM 1585. No damage was reported.

Hail in LYNN, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 21:17:00 to 29-APR-12 21:17:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKEVIEW
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Amateur Radio

An amateur radio operator reported golfball size hail at SR 179 and 211. No damage was reported.

Hail in GARZA, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 21:29:00 to 29-APR-12 21:29:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOUTHLAND
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported golfball size hail in Southland. No damage was reported.

Hail in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 21:38:00 to 29-APR-12 21:38:00 (CST-6)
Location: ROPESVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported quarter size hail. No damage was reported.

Flood in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 22:27:00 to 30-APR-12 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOLFFORTH
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Repeated heavy rains from slow-moving thunderstorms this night produced up to four inches of rain and flooded several area roads. Up to 2.5 feet of flowing water was observed over highway 62/82.

Hail in LYNN, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 22:49:00 to 29-APR-12 22:49:00 (CST-6)
Location: TAHOKA
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Golfball size hail was reported in Tahoka. No damage was reported.

Flood in GARZA, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 23:32:00 to 29-APR-12 23:32:00 (CST-6)
Location: SOUTHLAND
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 0.50K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Slow-moving thunderstorms this night flooded a portion of Highway 84 near Southland to such an extent that tractor trailers were unable to proceed.

Hail in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 21:09:00 to 29-APR-12 21:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: WOODROW
Magnitude: 2.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported two inch hail covering the ground. No damage was reported.

Hail in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 29-APR-12 18:56:00 to 29-APR-12 19:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: WHITHARRAL
Magnitude: 4.50 
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

An intense supercell produced a swath of significant hail from just north of Levelland southeast to north of Ropesville. Although most hail reports in this swath were baseball size or smaller, hail as large as softballs was observed near Smyer. An unknown amount of damage occurred to property in this hailswath.