Storm brings large hail and roof damage to Voitsberg district

Severe thunderstorms brought hailstones up to five centimetres across and apparently damaged roofs in Austria’s Voitsberg district on Wednesday afternoon, ORF reported.

The storm hit the district from about 4 p.m. In Maria Lankowitz, residents measured hailstones up to five centimetres in diameter. Initial reports from fire brigades indicated that the storm may also have damaged several roofs, including in Södingberg.

Heavy rain caused problems in Köflach, where the town’s volunteer fire brigade and the Stölzle-Oberglas company fire brigade were called out several times to pump out water. Hail destroyed glass domes, while drivers travelled at walking speed and in some cases tried to shelter their vehicles in wooded areas.

Leaves blocking manhole covers also contributed to the difficulty in draining the rainwater. The Unwetterzentrale had issued a warning of heavy rain, hail and storms for Wednesday afternoon, with a red warning level declared for Graz, Voitsberg and parts of the districts of Graz-Umgebung, Deutschlandsberg, Leibnitz and Wolfsberg. Geosphere Austria also warned of severe thunderstorms.