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An afternoon hail storm slammed the Bozeman and other parts of southwest Montana Wednesday, pelting the area with hail reaching the size of baseballs in some areas.

(photo submitted by Cali Morrison)

The largest hailstones were baseball-size, which fell east, southeast of Belgrade and on Montana State University campus. Building and car windows were smashed on campus and elsewhere. According to the National Weather Service, hail the size of tennis balls could have fallen north of Bozeman.

Trees and power lines were down throughout town. A portion of Black Avenue was closed off Wednesday afternoon.

Windows were smashed by hail at Bozeman fire stations #1 and #2, Bozeman Fire Chief Jason Shrauger said.

About 40 windows on the west side of an apartment complex near the Gallatin County Fairgrounds were broken by the storm. In the same area of town, all of the skylights at Wal-Mart were smashed, according to a caller.

Meanwhile, at Mountain Hot Tub across from the Gallatin Valley Mall on West Main Street, a tent covering the hot tub displays was knocked over as well as a tree, which fell on the owner's car.

Twitter lit up Wednesday afternoon as Bozeman area users posted pictures and video of the hail and smashed windows as well as other damage caused by the storm.

While this storm is leaving the area, heading north, northeast, more storms are moving in behind it. A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect in southwest Montana until 9 p.m. Wednesday.

The Bozeman Police Department issued a statement Wednesday night, saying it responded to about 15 storm-related calls, including calls from broken windows on vehicles and buildings to questions on what to do about reporting damage.

Only one person reported being injured by a direct hit with a hailstone, according to the police department.

The police department offered these tips:

• Persons with windshields damaged that obscure their vision cannot be legally or safely driven. Arrange for a tow or at home repair, if feasible.
• Report any home, business or vehicle damage to your respective insurance agent. Individual policies vary on coverage.
• Individuals and businesses are encouraged to report their damage that they incurred by going to www.readygallatin.com. Determining an estimate on the damage incurredis important in determining eligibility for any assistance programs. This reporting also helps the city track historical storm damage.

Gallatin County is encouraging people and businesses to report their damage that they incurred during the June 30 hail storm.

"While it is unknown what assistance may, or may not, be available, people are encouraged to report the damage that occurred. Determining an estimate on the damage incurred is important for us in determining if we may be eligible for any assistance programs," the county said in a news release.

People are encouraged to submit the following:

• Name
• Address
• Contact Info
• Do you rent or own?
• Do you have insurance?
• What is your deductible?
• What do you estimate the cost of your damage is? (This does not need to be exact, just a guess)
• What was the value of your property before the damage? (This does not need to be exact, just a guess)
• A brief description of the damage

Please email this information to damage@gcem.us. If assistance programs do become available, people who have submitted their information will be contacted with what programs are available.

(MSU hail photos by Julie Heard)