Incredible video shows home being battered by hailstones 'the size of baseballs'

Astonishing video footage shows a property being pummelled by hailstones described as "baseball-sized". The clip filmed inside the residence, which was shared on Reddit, shows windows and glass doors being hammered by enormous hailstones, each producing a thunderous banging noise as they pummel the structure. The footage then displays the roof of the property, which is peppered with holes, before switching back to inside the home, where water can be seen cascading through the openings into bedrooms and a corridor.

The video was reportedly filmed in southern Brazil during an extraordinary hailstorm on Sunday, November 23. A YouTube video by DisasterToday presents multiple clips of fierce winds and colossal hailstones described as "baseball-sized" plummeting from the heavens in Erechim, an area in southern Brazil, reports the Mirror.

The video commentary stated: "This natural event, which affected almost the entire city, caused damage to thousands of homes, rendered vehicles unusable, and damaged public buildings, forcing the local government to declare a state of emergency.

"The violent hailstorm, which began suddenly at around 4.40pm and affected almost all neighbourhoods in the city, showed itself with unexpected intensity from the very first minutes. Footage recorded by local residents and quickly shared on social media clearly showed the size and volume of the hailstones falling from the sky.

"In the storm, where some hailstones were observed to be as large as chicken eggs, these ice chunks struck roofs, vehicles, and buildings within seconds, causing widespread damage."

According to the footage, local authorities reported around 5,000 homes had been damaged, and 30,000 affected by the storm, leading to a state of emergency being declared. The video continued: "The severe winds accompanying the storm further increased the extent of the damage.

"Power lines and poles toppled by the force of the wind blocked roads, and created additional risks for travellers. Power outages occurred in many parts of the city, and technicians began working hard to restore electricity.

"Fallen trees also disrupted transportation, making the work of emergency response teams more difficult. Electrical cables scattered along the streets posed a great danger to the public, and authorities warned citizens to be extremely careful around these cables.

"Emergency services were inundated with calls from the start of the storm. Firefighters, civil defence, and municipal crews were divided between responding to structural damage, removing fallen trees, and assessing the damage.

"Authorities advised the public to stay home and only go outside if absolutely necessary. It was emphasised that going outside unnecessarily posed risks in terms of both electrical cables and structural collapses due to the dangerous conditions on the streets."

The report continued: "Residents of the area reported that the hailstorm began suddenly and that large quantities of stones of various sizes fell. Many people said that the intensity of the hail surprised even those accustomed to severe weather events in the region.

"Those living in Erechim and the surrounding area said that although they had seen hailstorms before, this time it was on a completely different scale. Videos shared on social media clearly show the intensity and size of the hail. Some images show hailstones shattering upon hitting the ground and continuing to fall with a loud noise."

The video concluded: "The hailstorm that hit Erechim on Sunday went down in the city's history as one of its worst natural disasters, with 5,000 homes severely damaged and 30,000 homes affected. While the intervention process continues with the state administration sending support teams to the region and the municipality declaring a state of emergency, the damage assessments and reconstruction efforts to be carried out in the coming period will determine the city's long-term recovery plans."