A severe hailstorm in Phoenix, the capital of the US state of Arizona, forced people to shelter inside cars as hail smashed windscreens. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing BBC News.
Videos from the Arizona capital show people sheltering inside a car as hail smashes the windscreen, while intense downpours covered neighbourhoods in ice. The severe weather battered other parts of the US state, with golf ball-sized hail reported to have damaged homes and shattered windows.
The National Weather Service issued multiple warnings and tornado watches as the storms moved across the region.
The event highlights the severity of weather in the southwestern United States. Such phenomena are rare in major cities like Phoenix, but sharp weather changes have become more frequent this season. Local authorities urged residents to stay safe and monitor weather forecasts.
The extent of damage to vehicles and buildings from the hail is not yet known. Emergency services are clarifying information about any casualties.