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All Hail Broke Loose!
By Mark D. Roberts | Saturday, May 30, 2009
On Wednesday evening, all hail broke loose in Boerne, Texas. For a brief time, we had a stunning hail storm, complete with deafening thunder and blinding lightning. The photo below shows the result. No, this is not snow in winter. It’s a collection of one-inch sized hail in 80 degree weather.
Now I realize that some of my readers will not be impressed with this. I know that parts of the country get softball-sized hail. But, in all of days in Southern California, I probably experienced no more than ten hail storms, and the hailstones never got bigger than peas.
But even my unimpressed readers might be interested in another piece of this story. As I was driving home from work, where it was not hailing, I talked with my son at home. He told me of the large hailstones at were falling. So I asked him to run out and get me a couple, putting them in the freezer so I could see them. In the photo below you see some of the hail with a nickel.
Nathan, always the obedient son :), did as I had said. He grabbed an umbrella and ran outside to grab some hail. As he did, all of a sudden saw a flash of light and heard a stunning crack of thunder. Then he felt a huge electric shock pass through his body. He dropped the umbrella and ran inside. Nathan felt okay, except for his pinky on his right hand. He had been holding the umbrella in this hand and his little finger was touching the metal of the umbrella. Nathan had been struck by lightning (or perhaps “splashed” by a bolt that hit nearby). The good news is that Nathan is fine . . . well, at least he’s still the same as he was before :). In the future, we won’t be carrying around umbrellas in the middle of a hailstorm!
Topics: Texas |
5 Responses to “All Hail Broke Loose!”
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May 30th, 2009 at 2:20 am
It would be interesting if Nathan began to read minds and levitate things. No, seriously I hope he suffers no ill effects of his encounter.
We had a freak hailstorm one afternoon two years ago here in Upper Michigan. Golf-ball size hail, $8500 damage to my car, which was in the parking lot at work, and damage to our house. It looked like snow, for sure, and there were small piles of hail here and there the next morning. I don’t care if I ever see another hail stone!
Thanks for the picture!
Tom
May 30th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Rev. Roberts, Linda,Kara & Nathan-especially Nathan so glad no major damage-you can still sing & dance!!! Our family enjoyed your website & especially some of your videos & really loved your blog. Keep your twinkly humor & wisdom-we especially loved the saber-toothed tiger illustration. We were surprised you were so understanding of the pressures of the middle agers & seniors-work,bills, more bills,taxes, health, relatives, etc-some of the great pressures & responsibility.You are a breath of fresh air!! Thanks for being compassionate in your blog. Most people never receive that understanding & compassion. Your folks, sister, friends, & relatives are blessed to have you in your lives-your gracious hospitality & understanding. Have a great happy summer with your family & friends. It will be nice to maybe be free of school & some computer work & relax-soon you will be free of high school & your folks & father can guide you to many wonderful choices & options whatever you like-school, work, helping family, travel, ministry or volunteer work, friends & hobbies & activities. Thanks again for helping on your folks website, Texas, Laity Lodge, & your website. WE appreciate your contributions. Give Kara a warm hug & thanks for helping the family. I was always a way way behind the scenes helper-person. Love & prayers, Jan & falconer family
May 30th, 2009 at 8:53 am
So is the place that the lightning struck–a THIN PLACE? just kidding, of course, I’m glad your son suffered no real harm.
May 31st, 2009 at 11:07 am
Don’t let him go out at all if there’s lightning, umbrella or not.
And Texas gets that softball sized stuff sometimes too.
June 1st, 2009 at 9:23 am
Shocking!