Storms
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Cloud Precipitation

'Hailstorm from hell': Baseball-size hail slams Middleburg, Virginia

Angela Fritz and Jeff Halverson
Washington Post
Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:20 UTC
Damage to a friends car caught in the hail near Middleburg
© Randy BennDamage to a car caught in the hail near Middleburg
Baseball-size hail, damaging winds and at least one possible tornado raked through Virginia, Maryland and the District on Thursday in the region's most intense severe thunderstorm day so far this year.

Five tornado warnings were issued in the D.C. region Thursday afternoon and night, beginning with storms west of Interstate 81 in Morgan and Berkeley counties in West Virginia. As the storms tracked southwest, tornado warnings were issued for parts of Clarke, Loudoun and Fauquier counties. The National Weather Service said it will be inspecting damage in Morgan County and that it is considering surveying reports of possible tornado damage in Berkeley and Clarke counties.

As of 11 a.m., none of the possible tornadoes had been confirmed. Photos taken during the storms do not actually indicate that any of the funnels were on the ground.

Baseball-size hail in Middleburg, Va.
© Teresa Dubovsky Baseball-size hail in Middleburg, Va.
Hailstones the size of baseballs fell in Middleburg, Va., on the border of Loudoun and Fauquier counties. Numerous cars were damaged, their windshields blown out and bodies dented.


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Cloud Precipitation

State of emergency declared for 9 Oklahoma counties following floods and storms

Richard Davies
Floodlist
Thu, 16 Jun 2016 13:51 UTC
Floods in Gavin County, Oklahoma, June 2016.
© Gavin County Sheriff’s OfficeFloods in Gavin County, Oklahoma, June 2016.
A state of emergency for nine counties in Oklahoma was declared on 14 June 2016 after severe floods and storms in the state that began Saturday 11 June, 2016.

The counties covered in the declaration are: Caddo, Carter, Comanche, Cotton, Garvin, Grady, McClain, Murray and Stephens, although further counties may be added in the future.

In the declaration, Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb said:
"Since Saturday, these Oklahoma counties have experienced flooding, severe storms, tornadoes and straight-line winds. Initial reports show damage in numerous communities including Apache, Cyril, Lawton, Maysville and Walters. Further damage assessments are ongoing."
The executive order allows state agencies to make emergency purchases related to disaster relief and preparedness. It is also the first step toward seeking federal aid should it be necessary.

The National Weather Service said that as much as 9 inches (228 mm) of rain fell in the morning of 12 June in Maysville, Garvin County.



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Cloud Precipitation

Floods destroy roads and force evacuations in British Columbia, Canada

Richard Davies
Floodlist
Fri, 17 Jun 2016 15:10 UTC
Floods have caused major damage to transport in Peace River Regional District in northeastern British Columbia, Canada.
© BC Ministry of TransportationFloods have caused major damage to transport in Peace River Regional District in northeastern British Columbia, Canada.
High levels of rain since 14 June 2016 have caused major flooding in the Peace River Regional District in northeastern British Columbia, Canada.

Dawson Creek and Chetwynd, around 100km west, are two of the worst hit areas. Evacuations have been carried out and flooding has caused severe damage to roads and infrastructure. However, no injuries or fatalities have occurred.

On 15 June, the Mayor of the District of Chetwynd declared a state of local emergency within District of Chetwynd boundaries as a result of the floods. According to Environment Canada, 79 mm of rain had fell in Chetwynd by noon on June 15, 2016.

"We all need to take measures to ensure our families, structures and livestock are safe at this time," stated Mayor Merlin Nichols.

In Dawson Creek, 60 residences were evacuated due to flooding from the creek that cuts through the centre of the city, said Mayor Dale Bumstead.

Dawson Creek floods, British Columbia, Canada, June 2016.
© City of Dawson CreekDawson Creek floods, British Columbia, Canada, June 2016.

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Cloud Lightning

Lightning bolt kills 2 children in Bangladesh


The Daily Star (Bangladesh)
Fri, 17 Jun 2016 09:20 UTC
lightning
Two minor boys were killed in a lightning strike at Sardarpara village in Melandah upazila of the district yesterday.

The deceased is Abdul Alim, 10, son of Ramjan Ali, and Raihan, 6, son of Fulu Mia, of the village.

Locals and victims' family members said a streak of thunderbolts struck the two boys while they were playing in a field during rain around 3:00pm, leaving them seriously injured.

Villagers took them to Melandah Upazila Health Complex where the doctors declared them dead, Kishmat Pasha, chairman of Nangla union parishad said.
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Cloud Lightning

Tree bursts into flames from inside following huge lightning strike in Springdale, Arkansas


Daily Mirror
Thu, 16 Jun 2016 08:52 UTC
A huge crack can clearly be seen in the tree trunk
© ViralHogA huge crack can clearly be seen in the tree trunk
This is the dramatic moment a tree bursts into flames after it is hit by a bolt of lightning .

The foliage set on fire after a particularly vicious lightning strike in Springdale, Arkansas in the US on June 12.

In the clip, the tree appears to be on fire from the inside out, with a huge crack running down the entire length of the trunk.

Incidents like these occur when 'cloud-to-ground' lightning bolts strike tall objects, like trees or buildings.

According to the National Weather Service : "Most lightning flashes consist of one or more leaders/return strokes.

"Some flashes contain a continuous flow of electricity, called continuing current. Rather than the charge flowing intermittently in one or more quick surges (return strokes), in continuing current, the charge flows continuously over a longer period of time.

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Tornado2

3 waterspouts filmed over the Bahamas

Sancheska Brown
Tribune 242.
Wed, 15 Jun 2016 17:31 UTC
Waterspout
A severe afternoon thunderstorm spawned three waterspouts over Lake Killarney and dropped several inches of rain in the capital, according to Senior Meteorological Officer Kaylinda Forbes.

A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect Wednesday afternoon for Andros, New Providence and their adjacent waters.

According to a release from the Met Office at 4.50pm, radar and satellite imagery showed clusters of severe thunderstorms affecting New Providence and Andros and additionally waterspouts were observed over Lake Killarney.

Some of the thunderstorms will be severe at times causing strong gusty winds, dangerous lightening, heavy downpours, hail, waterspouts or tornadic activity.


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Cloud Lightning

Lightning bolt kills child and injures another in Kharkiv, Ukraine


Ukrinform
Thu, 16 Jun 2016 12:46 UTC
Lightning
Lightning has killed a 12-year-old boy and injured his friend, 12, who was hospitalized after a thunderstorm in Kharkiv Region, Kharkiv police spokeswoman Oksana Kalmykova told Ukrinform's local correspondent.

"The tragedy occurred yesterday in the village of Varvarivka in Volchansky district. Two boys, aged 12, were riding on a swing attached to a tree branch. The thunderstorm began suddenly, and the tree was struck by a bolt of lightning. As a result, one boy died, and the other was hospitalized," said Kalmykova.

She noted the deceased child was visiting his grandparents in the village whilst on vacation.

"As to the other child victim, he lives in this village. He is now being looked after in the clinic. As a result of the neurological shock he suffered, he can't walk on his own. His general state of health is stable," the spokeswoman added.
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Cloud Lightning

Lightning bolt kills two and maims another in Odisha, India


Prameya News7
Thu, 16 Jun 2016 12:39 UTC
lightning
In yet another incident, two persons died while one was maimed for life in Sundergarh district on Thursday.

The tragic incident occurred at Mangaspur village under Tangarpalli block in the district as the persons were working in the farmland. Lightning struck them as they were ploughing the field.

While two of them yet to be identified, died on the spot the other one with critical injuries was rushed to the hospital.

Lightning incidents have become frequent in State especially during thunder storms which is claiming more lives in Odisha more than any natural disasters.
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Cloud Precipitation

Heavy rain causes flash floods and landslides in south China; at least 10 dead and 13 missing


xinhuanet.com
Wed, 15 Jun 2016 22:20 UTC
mudslide in south China
© YouTube/CCTV+ (screen capture)
At least 10 people have died and 13 remain missing after heavy rain caused flash floods, mudslides and landslides in south China's Hunan, Guizhou, Guangdong provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

In Hunan, continuous rain resulted in swollen rivers, landslides and mud-rock flows. Three people died in Hengshan county, according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters on Wednesday.

Three residents of Xiangtan County have been reported missing after their home was buried by a landslide around 7 a.m. Wednesday, while in Longhui county one person was reported missing. About 530 houses collapsed, and 11,900 people were evacuated, said the headquarters.

In Guangxi, one person was killed by collapsing house in torrential rain, said the regional civil affairs department on Wednesday. Two people ware missing--one swept away by floods while another was buried in a landslide.

The rains and ensuing disasters also destroyed 754 houses, seriously damaged another 408, ruined 20,200 hectares of crops, forced the evacuation of 5,900 people and inflicted a direct economic loss estimated at 150 million yuan (about 22.8 million U.S. dollars).

In Jinping County in Guizhou, five people have died and four are still missing, according to the county's publicity office.

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Cloud Precipitation

Large egg-shaped hailstones pound Shanxi, China; over 18,000 cars damaged

New China TV
You Tube
Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:58 UTC
Hail Damage
A heavy hailstorm struck Changzhi in northwest China's Shanxi Province on Monday.

The storm lasted for over half an hour and the largest hailstones are more than 45mm in diameter, which caused huge damages to cars that parked outdoors.

Large hail
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