The Worst Hail Storms In History Part III: The Deadliest

For the last part of our recording-breaking hail storm series, we look at the dark side of hail–the deadliest hail. That’s right, we think we have it bad here in Denver but–oh man–it gets worse. Hail has been known to kill people on numerous occasions. Whether the size of a golfball or a softball–hailstones chasing the ground at 9.8 meters per second squared can be deadly. Just read on to find out where super-sized hail has led to disaster

The Deadliest Hail Storm In History

Moradabad & Beheri districts, India

April 1888

Technically speaking the highest confirmed deaths at one time from hail was on April 22, 1888, in Moradabad & Beheri districts, India. There were 246 recorded fatalities due to the devastation of a massive hail storm.

Roopkund, India

850AD

However, a long-time mystery believed to have been recently solved is that of the so-called “Skeleton Lake”.  This event may very well top the list of deadliest hailstorms but we’ll likely never know because it was so long ago. Discovered in 1942 at 16,000 feet above sea level, a half-frozen lake chocked full of skeletons puzzled scientists and archeologists alike. Recently, most agree a massive, fast-moving hailstorm likely rained down and trapped and entire tribe in a deadly barrage of giant hailstones. Likely some 200 or more travelers died in that mountain valley that prehistoric day when caught in a sudden and severe hailstorm. But that sad record is lost to history. 

Other Fatal Hail Events Around The World 

While you are less likely to be struck by freak hail than lightning–it isn’t a completely inconceivable occurrence. In 1986, grapefruit-sized hail tore into Gopalganj, Bangladesh. Weighing in at or around 2 lbs, these softball-sized hailstones killed 92 people. In 1932, China was hit by a hailstorm that may have killed over two hundred people and those stones are in The Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s heaviest at 2.2lbs. Finally, In Klausenburg, Romania six poor children were killed in a 1928 hailstorm during a Mayday festival.

These stories make Denver hail seem tame! But, while we may not have deadly hail–we do have hail that wreaks havoc on our cars and trucks. When hail happens to you, which in Denver it is likely to, reach out to us at Denver Hail Pros. We are the area’s experts and will have you up and repaired in no time.