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May 8 Hail Storm Breaks Records At $1.4 Billion In Damage

DENVER (CBS4) - The hail storm that hit Colorado on May 8 is on track to be the most expensive in the history of the state.

According to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, the preliminary losses from the storm are estimated at $1.4 billion.

Severe Weather May 8, 2017
Hail in Golden (credit: CSP Sgt. Mullins)

That passes the previous record-setting storm of June 20, 2009 that cost $845.5 million and the July 11, 1990 storm that cost $1.1 billion, both adjusted for inflation to compare to today's dollars.

Severe Weather May 8, 2017
Broken windshield from hail in Golden (credit: John Sheesley)

During that storm, golf ball and baseball sized hail damaged homes, cars and businesses.

Severe Weather May 8, 2017
Hail in Wheat Ridge (credit: AHStorey)

The largest hail pelted areas west of the Denver metro area including Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and Golden.

COLORADO MILLS CLOSURE 7PKG.t890ransfer
(credit: CBS)

Most of the Colorado Mills mall will remain closed until the holiday shopping season begins in November because of hail damage.

Laradon Damage (5)
The Laradon School was damaged by a hail storm (credit: CBS)

"The enormous size of the hail hitting densely populated areas of the Denver-Metro during rush hour has contributed to the magnitude of damage caused by this storm," says Carole Walker, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association said in a statement. "Add to that Colorado's population boom, escalating costs to repair high-tech cars and more expensive homes, the insurance price tag on our hailstorms can be expected to continue to rise."

COLORADO MILLS CLOSURE 7PKG.tran678sfer
(credit: CBS)
Severe Weather May 8, 2017
Hail left holes in a car parked at the Colorado Mills on May 8, 2017 (credit: CBS)
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