Hail: Impacts

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Hailstorms can cause extensive property damage affecting both urban and rural landscapes. Fortunately, most hailstorms produce marble-size or smaller hailstones. These can cause damage to crops, but they normally do not damage buildings or automobiles. Larger hailstones can destroy crops, livestock, and wildlife and can cause extensive damage to buildings, including roofs, windows, and outside walls (Figures 6-4 and 6-5). Vehicles can be total losses. When hail breaks windows, water damage from accompanying rains can also be significant. A major hailstorm can easily cause damage running into the millions of dollars.


Figure 6-4. Hail can obliterate vinyl siding and chip bricks. (Photo Credit: J. Imel/Park City Daily News)



Figure 6-5. Hail-damaged roofs often lead to water damage inside homes. (Photo Credit: W. Hunter/Park City Daily News)




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The Hailstorm of 1998
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Social and Economic Impact