Hailstones can range from around 5 millimeters in size up to 150 millimeters. Hailstones are made of solid ice, and the larger ones that can be shot out of the sky during strong thunderstorms can naturally cause significant damage and destruction. Those without protective canopies risk serious property and product damage.
Human Security
At the onset of a major thunderstorm, it is wise to move indoors quickly. Large hailstones of up to half a kilogram have been recorded. One certainly wouldn’t want to get hit by one of these while hurtling down from the sky. While these sizes are less common, any blow to the head from a hailstone, with its composition of solid ice, will be an unpleasant experience. Regular hailstones can be the size of a quarter. Foreboding clouds, thunder and lightning are warning signs to take cover quickly.
home damage
The roofs of houses are the most affected by hail during electrical storms. Some damage may only be cosmetic, with the force of the hail causing dents in the metal roof. These teeth can also wear down the metal siding, exposing the roof to further damage from the elements of nature.
After a hail storm passes, it’s worth inspecting the home and exterior structure for obvious damage. Sometimes this is hard to identify. If it can be detected, a quick fix can help eliminate further problems later. 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 roofing on houses, cars can easily take a lot of dents and dents in a hail storm if left out in the open. Most people would probably consider the aesthetics of a car much more important than unseen roofs on houses, which is why cars should be kept concealed during hail storms.
During a major hail storm in Sydney, Australia, in 1999, many car dealers left cars out in the open and on display. The result was a large number of pockmarked vehicles that had to be sold at deep discounts compared to their pre-hailstorm prices. Many auto sales yards now have protective netting installed to prevent hail damage.
Crops
Many crops are also very 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 withstand the force of hailstones.
The sight of a torrent of hail falling to the ground can be an amazing sight. The downside is the unfortunate destruction this can cause. Agricultural production is put at risk, vehicles and property may be at the mercy of heaven, and in extreme cases, even human life may be in jeopardy. Human life must be protected first and foremost. For property, automobiles and agricultural products, bird netting solutions, if used in advance, can often protect against hail damage.