Places that had looked completely ordinary only minutes earlier suddenly looked as though they had experienced a winter storm.
Residents watching from windows could see hail bouncing across yards and streets while vehicles sat exposed to repeated impacts.
Local authorities urged residents to remain indoors while the worst conditions passed.Autos & Vehicles
Vehicles Were Among the Most Visible Casualties
Once the storm moved away, vehicle damage became one of the clearest signs of how powerful the hail had been.Large hailstones can dent vehicle body panels, damage windows, and leave visible marks across exterior surfaces.
Cars parked outdoors had little protection from the barrage.
Residents who stepped outside afterward found vehicles that had looked perfectly normal earlier in the evening now covered with dents and impact marks.
Some windows were cracked, while other vehicles showed damage to exterior components.Weather
For motorists who happened to be on the road when the storm arrived, the situation could be especially stressful. Finding appropriate shelter becomes difficult when visibility is reduced and hail is falling heavily.
The safest response during severe weather is generally to avoid unnecessary travel and seek appropriate shelter rather than attempting to drive through the worst conditions.
Homes May Have Suffered Damage Too
Vehicles weren’t the only property exposed to the storm.Atmospheric Science
Roofs, windows, siding, outdoor equipment, and other exterior surfaces can all be vulnerable when large hail falls with force.
One of the tricky things about hail damage is that it isn’t always immediately obvious.
A roof might appear normal from the ground while shingles have actually been damaged. Problems may only become noticeable later when rain enters through compromised areas.
That means homeowners should take a careful look at their property after a major hailstorm and arrange an appropriate inspection if damage is suspected.Autos & Vehicles
It’s also important not to put yourself in danger trying to inspect a roof immediately after severe weather.
Why Can Hail Become So Large?
Hail develops inside strong thunderstorms.
Powerful updrafts within a storm can carry water droplets high into the atmosphere, where they freeze. Additional layers of ice can accumulate as the developing hailstone moves through areas containing supercooled water.
Eventually, the hailstone becomes too heavy for the storm’s updraft to keep suspended.
It then falls toward the ground.
The stronger the storm’s updrafts, the greater the potential for hailstones to grow before they fall. That’s why powerful thunderstorms can sometimes produce hail that is dramatically larger than the small pellets people may associate with ordinary hailstorms.Natural Disasters
Large hail can damage:
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