In brief
A sudden hailstorm in Phoenix produced golf‑ball sized hail that struck cars and homes, causing widespread damage and prompting emergency warnings. Residents took shelter in vehicles as the hail hammered windows and roofs. The National Weather Service issued tornado watches and multiple warnings across the state as the storm moved over the region. Authorities urged people to stay indoors and avoid exposed areas until the hail subsided. This rare event highlights the volatile weather conditions affecting the Southwest.
Videos from the Arizona capital show people sheltering inside a car as hail smashes the windscreen, while intense downpours covered neighbourhoods in ice. The severe weather battered other parts of the state, with golf ball‑sized hail reported to have damaged homes and shattered windows.
The National Weather Service issued multiple warnings and tornado watches as the storms moved across the region. Residents were advised to stay indoors and seek safe shelter.
The event is unusual for Phoenix, where hail of this size is rare, and authorities are monitoring the situation as conditions evolve.
Source: BBC News
