Photo Gallery: Severe Storm Damages Cars, Snaps Trees in University City

Editor's Note: Earlier stories had reports of hail. This came from University City Patch editor Myra Lopez as dictated to Patch colleague Nate Birt from the scene at Fitz's. Lopez was caught outside in the storm and was pelted by what she deduced was hail. However, one person at the scene -- a Fitz's employee - reported seeing the wind blow gravel off the roof of a nearby building. 

, damaging dozens of cars and downing trees.

Dozens of cars in the parking lot behind Fitz's restaurant had damaged windows. Cars in the parking area behind Starbucks and Ginger Bistro also sustained damage. 

The Loop was full of people who came down for the Chalk Festival when the storm come out of nowhere, sending people fleeing into restaurants and other establishments.

The rain came down hard, along with hail and a huge wind gust. University City Patch Editor Myra Lopez was outside in the storm, crouching underneath a tent, holding on for dear life. 

One man told University City Patch that he was sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot behind Fitz's Restaurant when the windows blew in on him. He was not hurt.

The storm also downed trees near Eastgate Park area.

Send your photos of the damage to myra.lopez@patch.com or post them on the University City Patch page on Facebook.