Communities across the Tri-State region were rattled Monday evening as a fast-moving severe thunderstorm brought with it large, destructive hail that left homes and vehicles battered. Reports of hail ranging in size from golf balls to hen eggs came in from Ohio and West Virginia, with widespread property damage and stunned residents.
Meteorologist Nicholas Snider confirmed that the most intense hail was seen in Athalia, Ohio, located in Lawrence County. According to Snider, the area experienced hail as large as hen eggs — an unusual and dangerous size for this region.
“This is the kind of hail you don’t see very often,” Snider said. “When you’re talking about hail the size of eggs, it’s not just a visual spectacle — it can cause serious damage to anything in its path.”
Scenes of Destruction in Ohio and West Virginia
In Athalia and surrounding areas of southern Ohio, residents watched helplessly as the storm pelted cars, rooftops, and yards with enormous ice chunks. Photos submitted to local news outlets showed shattered windshields, pockmarked siding, and yards littered with hailstones and debris.
In West Virginia, similar scenes played out in Putnam County, where golf ball-sized hail fell for several minutes, causing widespread cosmetic and structural damage. Homeowners reported cracked windows, damaged roofs, and battered outdoor furniture.
“It came out of nowhere,” said Sarah Carter of Hurricane, West Virginia. “The sky turned dark and the next thing we knew, it sounded like our house was being pelted with baseballs. The kids were scared, and we just waited it out in the hallway.”
Hail: A Common Spring Threat Turned Dangerous
While spring storms often bring rain and thunder, hail of this size is considered relatively rare — especially outside of Tornado Alley. According to weather officials, hailstones form when powerful updrafts in thunderstorms carry raindrops into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere. These droplets freeze and collect layers of ice until they are too heavy to remain airborne.
“Once the hail becomes too heavy, gravity takes over,” explained Snider. “And when hailstones reach the size of golf balls or eggs, they can fall at speeds of 70 to 100 mph. That’s enough to break windows and damage vehicles, which is exactly what we saw.”
Damage Reports Continue to Come In
By Tuesday morning, local emergency management teams were still assessing the extent of the damage. Many residents reported damaged siding, dented vehicles, broken windshields, and roof leaks.
In Putnam County, storm spotters and weather watchers observed significant impacts, particularly in more rural areas where mobile homes and unprotected structures took the brunt of the hail.
Power crews were also dispatched in some locations where tree limbs fell on power lines, though outages remained relatively limited compared to previous severe weather events.
No Serious Injuries Reported
Despite the intensity of the storm and the size of the hail, no major injuries had been reported as of press time. Local authorities praised the public for taking shelter quickly and avoiding unnecessary travel during the worst of the storm.
Residents were advised to stay cautious when inspecting damage. “Be careful of broken glass, downed wires, and slippery surfaces,” said Putnam County emergency coordinator Jason Blake. “Take photos of damage for insurance purposes and report any dangerous conditions to local officials.”
The Aftermath and What’s Next
As residents clean up the mess left behind, weather officials are keeping an eye on future storm systems moving into the area later this week. More rain and thunderstorms are forecasted, though they are not expected to reach the same level of severity — at least for now.
Still, forecasters are urging residents to remain vigilant. “This storm is a reminder that severe weather can strike quickly,” said Snider. “It’s important to have a plan in place, especially in the spring when conditions change fast.”
In the meantime, insurance adjusters are expected to be busy across both Ohio and West Virginia in the coming days. For many families, the priority is now repairing broken windows, filing claims, and hoping the next storm doesn’t follow so closely behind.
The storm may have passed, but its icy impact will be felt for weeks to come in the Tri-State.
