On Monday afternoon, a storm with hail as large as ping-pong balls hit several areas in Prachaticko. Vlachov Březí was hit with hail the size of table tennis balls, while in Zdíkov, the local roads were flooded, and cellars were washed out.

According to the mayor of Vlachova Březí, Lubomír Dragoun, “It started around 4 pm, and the hail was huge, maybe three centimeters. It also damaged the car of our forester and countless gardens.”

Jan Jedlička, a resident of the area, described the experience as “crazy.” “At first, I heard a sound from the attic, like someone threw something on the roof. I thought it was nothing. Two minutes later, another and the same sound. Before I pulled myself together to go outside, it started pouring, and I watched the chaos for ten full minutes.”

Jedlička also mentioned that one of the cars was covered with a blanket. “Unfortunately, I got hit directly in the head and back three times and ran away. I had nothing else to do but watch and hope that nobody got hurt,” he said, adding that he had never experienced anything like it.

It is still unclear how much damage was caused to the vehicles and gardens, but locals are advised to contact their insurance providers. The South Bohemian firefighters reported only a few incidents due to the storm.

“We have mainly been responding to Zdíkov in Prachaticko, where we have been pumping water from cellars and clearing roads after the heavy rain,” said Vendula Matějů, a spokesperson for the South Bohemian firefighters.

According to meteorologists, the storms are expected to move further to České Budějovice and Český Krumlov.

As the region grapples with the aftermath of this unexpected hailstorm, local authorities are assessing the extent of the damage and urging affected residents to take necessary precautions. The resilience of the community shines through as they come together to cope with the aftermath of this natural disaster. Meteorologists’ forecasts will play a crucial role in anticipating further developments and preparing for potential impacts in nearby areas.

Article by Prague Forum