Loei authorities begin assessing hailstorm damage

[webfact]

Local authorities begin assessing hailstorm damage



BANGKOK: -- Local officials and residents of Phu Rua district of Loei began to inspect the damages, clean downed trees, power poles, shattered glasses, roof bricks and other debris Monday after the worst ever fierce hailstorm Sunday afternoon.

Initial reports said more than 200 houses, cars and property at Ban Santom and Ban Saensook in Phu Rua were destroyed after the worst ever hailstorm in 30 years ravaged the areas for half an hour.

The golf-ball size hails started falling after 30 minutes of torrential rainstorm on Sunday at 2.00 p.m..

The main road from Phu Rua to Muang Loei and all roads in the villages were blanked with white hail stones as if they were covered by snow. All temple, school, and house roofs were turned white with the hails.

Soon after the hailstorm passed, Phu Rua district officers, volunteers, village headmen went out to inspect damages in order to provide primary relief aids to affected people.

Sirimarn Sriburin, a manager at Chachanat Woodland in Phu Rua, said the incident caused a power outage for hours and the temperature in the district was measured at about 14 degrees Celsius.

Traffic from Phu Rua and Muang Loei was also reported to be snarling throughout the one kilometer stretch from Ban Santom school to the highway office when people stopped their cars to have photos of the rare phenomenon where all surrounding areas were turned white with hailstone as if they were covered by snow.

Tourists visiting Phu Rua said they have never seen such a great phenomenon with all surrounding blanketing with hail stones.

They said that although hailstorm in Phu Rua was not a rare natural phenomenon, but this time it was not the same because it covered more areas and more fierce than past hailstorms.

Four hours after the hailstorm, the same villages were also hit by torrential rains, causing flash floods inundating homes, palm tree plantations and flower gardens of the villagers.

Phu Rua district chief Boonterm Renumas said he had instructed village chiefs and officials to promptly help people affected by the hailstorm, clear roads and assess the damage.

(photo : INN News)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/local-authorities-begin-assessing-hailstorm-damage/


-- Thai PBS 2014-03-17

[webfact]

WEATHER
Loei hit by hailstorms
The Nation



LOEI: -- Hailstorms yesterday hit several locations in Loei's Phu Rua district, destroying poultry and causing damage to property, including crop at palm plantations.

Ten small warehouses and the roofs of about 180 homes also were damaged by the strong winds, which brought the hailstorms that lasted some 30 minutes. Some of the hails were reported to be the size of a lime.

The local weather bureau later said that the hailstorms were brought by tropical storms.


-- The Nation 2014-03-17

[retell]

Luckily nobody got hurt

[webfact]

Worst ever hailstorm damages more than 500 homes



BANGKOK: -- The worst hailstorm in 80 years that hit Phu Rua District of Loei Sunday has caused damages to more than 500 homes with estimated loss of over 100 million baht.

The initial assessment of the damage from the fiercest hailstorm was revealed late today by Loei governor Viroj Jiwarangsan after leading authorities to inspect Phu Rua so as to provide primary relief aids to affected people.’

Authorities who assessed the damages in Phu Rua has reported that Sunday’s hailstorm was the worst in 80 years with two tambons (subdistricts) being hard-hit. They are Tambon Samtom and Tambon Tha Sala in Phu Rua District.

More than 500 homes, schools, temples and a hospital were damaged.

They included Samtom healthpromotiion hospital, Santom highway office, and flower farms of farmers and Santom Or Bor Tor local administration office.

Initial loss was about 100 million baht, he said, adding that the Loei provincial administration has set aside 500,000 baht as emergency fund to provide primary assistance to affected people to mend their homes at 2,000 baht a family.

He said he also was coordinating with the Thai Red Cross Society to help the troubled people urgently.

Meanwhile the governor also disclosed that the hailstorm also caused damages to more than 50 homes in nearby Dansai and Phu Luang Districts of Loei province.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/worst-ever-hailstorm-damages-500-homes/


-- Thai PBS 2014-03-17

[seabass69]

The worst ever, the worst ever in 30 years AND the worst ever in 80 years...Wow...all at the same time!!

[Jeremy50]

Just the right size for a gin and tonic.

[Benmart]

The worst ever, the worst ever in 30 years AND the worst ever in 80 years...Wow...all at the same time!!

I added the two and divided by two. I got what they meant. Very bad hailstorm indeed.

Glad no one was killed or seriously injured.

[Dannyboy6]

I was on my way to Chiang Kahn at 1:30, guess I just missed it...