Hail Storm We had a hail storm at about 14.50 on 4th October 1977. Normal hailstorms of 'severe' magnitude devastate up to 6 hectares. This one forgot the rules, and hit a swathe 7 kms wide and over 14 kms long - centred on the town of Red Cliffs. This hail in the main street was photographed about 20 minutes after the storm stopped. On this day we had hired a slasher from the Co-operative, and I was cutting the long grass. I saw the build up of very dense black clouds, and as the wind got stronger, I decided to shelter from the coming storm, with afternoon tea at home. The house rocked, and I went outside to shelter on the lea side of the tanks - glad the two boys were safe with a baby sitter and Penny at school. To my surprise, after about ten minutes of pelting hail and howling wind, the fury stopped. All went quiet, then friends driving from Ouyen stopped, as we are the first house beside the road. We were OK, and they continued 3 kilometres to Red Cliffs, where this hail photograph was taken.

Return to my Sultana Page.