Hailstones can range from around 5 millimeters in size to 150 millimeters. Hailstones are made up of solid ice, and larger hailstones that can shoot out of the sky during severe thunderstorms can naturally cause significant damage and destruction. Those without protective canopies are at risk of serious property and product damage.
Human Security
At the start of a major thunderstorm, it’s wise to move indoors quickly. Large hailstones of up to half a kilogram have been recorded. One certainly wouldn’t want to be hit by one of these as it hurtles down from the sky. While these sizes are less common, any blow to the head from a hailstone, with its solid ice composition, will be an unpleasant experience. Regular hailstones can be the size of a coin. Foreboding clouds, thunder and lightning are warning signs to take shelter quickly.
Home damage
The roofs of houses are the most affected by hail during thunderstorms. Some damage may only be cosmetic, with the force of the hail causing teeth in the metal roof. These teeth can also wear down the metal siding, exposing the roof to further damage from the elements.
Once a hail storm passes, it’s worth inspecting the home and exterior structure for obvious damage. Sometimes this is difficult to identify. If it can be detected, a quick fix can help eliminate more problems later on. For example, damage to a pipe or gutter can cause leaks, allowing water to move to unwanted areas, possibly causing rust or wall damage if not identified early.
vehicles
Motor vehicles are very susceptible to hail damage. As with metal roofs on houses, cars can easily get a lot of dents and dings in a hail storm if left out in the open. Most people would probably consider the aesthetics of a car to be far more important than unseen roof tops, which is why cars should be kept out of sight during hail storms.
During a major hail storm in Sydney, Australia, in 1999, many car dealers left cars outdoors and on display. The result was a large number of pockmarked vehicles that had to be sold at deep discounts compared to their pre-hail storm prices. Many car sales yards now have protective netting installed to prevent hail damage.
Crops
Many crops are also highly vulnerable to hail damage. It must be incredibly painful for farmers, who face enough challenges already, to see their carefully tended and nurtured plants destroyed in a brief attack from above. Like car dealers, some farmers have turned to protective netting to resist the force of hailstones.
The sight of a torrent of hail falling to earth can be an amazing sight. The downside is the unfortunate destruction this can cause. Agricultural production is put at risk, vehicles and property can be at the mercy of heaven, and in extreme cases, even human life can be in danger. Human life must be protected above all else. For property, automobiles, and produce, bird netting solutions, if used up front, can often protect against hail damage.