SAN MARCOS, Texas -- A severe thunderstorm roared through San Marcos on Thursday, dumping hail as large as softballs.

The hail storm caught customers shopping at the outlet malls by surprise, many of them running for cover to the nearest store they could find and others took cover in their vehicles.

For 15 minutes, hail pounded vehicles in the parking lot, leaving behind broken glass and dents.

"It sounded like a war zone," said Shelly Gerber, a store employee. "All the customers were just standing here watching their windows get busted out."

The storm left behind large piles of large ice bills and debris.

Witnesses said at one point visibility was reduced to a few feet.

"At first it was just golf-ball sized," said Rawnie Stanley, whose car was damaged. "Then it kept getting bigger. Then, you just couldn't see out the window at all."

Gina Rich, who was three hours away from home, said she and her friend were stuck in their car when the storm struck.

Rich suffered some cuts to her legs and longed for some dry clothing.

"I want some clothes, but all the stores are closed," she said. "We don't have any dry clothes. We're just kind of stuck."

San Marcos City Dan O'Leary, who went to survey the damage, said it was too soon to put a price tag on the damage.

Mall managers told KSAT 12 News they were planning on opening for business Friday.