Hailstone precautions!

[Ingwe]

We’re at our French house in Nievre. It is soo hot and dry we’ve barely ventured out of the house except for shopping and cooling swims in the nearby lake after 18:30 in the evening.

The local newspaper, Le Journal du Centre, is warning of the risk of fires and it’s true that the “lawn” is so dry, mowing has been unnecessary. But today there’s a warning of an impending storm with torrential rain and, more worryingly, hail storms.

Apparently, a month ago, there was such a storm and massive damage was caused by golf-ball-sized hailstones. So, we’ve tied chair cushions over the solar panel and put the snow cover over the van’s windscreen. It’s due to start at 04:00 tomorrow.

Fingers’ crossed that we have some rain but that there’ll be no hail!

 

[Otter Spotter]

I would cover the skylights too, they can be quite brittle.

 

[Neil S]

Can’t you find a some shelter to park under or some old carpet or Lino to cover the roof
If hailstones are really bad they will dent your roof

 

[Ingwe]

I would cover the skylights too, they can be quite brittle.

You’re right but we’ve got no more cushion covers! The other one, we’ve put over the windscreen of the hire car. If the worst happens, we’ll make and mend using duck tape, sticky back plastic and an empty Fairy Liquid washing up liquid bottle (other brands are available).

 

[Ingwe]

Can’t you find a some shelter to park under or some old carpet or Lino to cover the roof
If hailstones are really bad they will dent your roof

We’re relying on probability. Our neighbours have never had hailstone damage, despite the storms and they’re smiling gently at ‘les rosbif’ and our precautions. They leave their cars out.

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[paddymcc]

I would prioritise the motorhome, but don't tell the hire firm.

 

[Neil S]

We’re relying on probability. Our neighbours have never had hailstone damage, despite the storms and they’re smiling gently at ‘les rosbif’ and our precautions. They leave their cars out.

As you say it could easily pass you by

 

[poppycamper]

As you say it could easily pass you by

Or it might not !! #dun dun dun#

 

[Stealaway]

You’re right but we’ve got no more cushion covers! The other one, we’ve put over the windscreen of the hire car. If the worst happens, we’ll make and mend using duck tape, sticky back plastic and an empty Fairy Liquid washing up liquid bottle (other brands are available).

Carpets , mats?

 

[Ingwe]

Carpets , mats?

We do have other things we could use but tying them down is the problem. It gets really windy when there‘s a storm.

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[iain26]

WE survived the hail storm on 8 June. We were parked under trees for the shade.
Panoramic skylight smashed, bonnet dented, awning holed, satellite dish dented and no longer works.
Other damage on site ranged from smashed windscreens, caravan roofs dented.
I would hide wherever you can!

 

[Jackd]

There was a post on here recently about hail damage in France/Italy.
Done a lot of damage to those who were caught in it. Will see if I can find it.

iain26 beat me to it.

 

[PaddyM]

I applaud your choice of van !

 

[PaddyM]

FIL caught in a French hailstorm , top of his caravan looked like a golf ball !

 

[dash300]

Nice roll of lino over the top would do it!

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[Taran_Las]

​

 

[paul2]

WE survived the hail storm on 8 June. We were parked under trees for the shade.
Panoramic skylight smashed, bonnet dented, awning holed, satellite dish dented and no longer works.
Other damage on site ranged from smashed windscreens, caravan roofs dented.
I would hide wherever you can!View attachment 652411

I was in a golf ball size hail storm on June 21st in Digoin France. Both roof lights, side window, mirrors, light lens broken, dents all over roof, above screen, bonnet and all of the near side of the van. Insurance company writing van off .
Paul

 

[Ingwe]

So far, a night of gentle rain. Smells lovely and fresh but more rain would be welcome. Must have been windy though as cover on solar panel blown aside and I’d tied it down to the panel both sides.
Overcast now but storm still showing for later on meteo France app.

 

[Dunslow]

With the risk of a written off van, could you find a local farmer with a barn to park van in for the few nights of predicted risk? Maybe a few euros or bottle of wine as a thankyou. Potentially better than the damage / upheaval and worse, a declined insurance payout.

 

[keithchesterfield2]

We manged to 'hide' the MH under a large tree as the storm raged in Nevers 2019.
A couple from the Aire who were on a motorbike were injured.
My reading glasses for size comparison ......

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[The Wino]

I was in a golf ball size hail storm on June 21st in Digoin France. Both roof lights, side window, mirrors, light lens broken, dents all over roof, above screen, bonnet and all of the near side of the van. Insurance company writing van off .
Paul

Could be a good buy for someone not interested in the cosmetic appearance if the price was right.

 

[Ingwe]

Could be a good buy for someone not interested in the cosmetic appearance if the price was right.

……..or a fanatical golfing fan!

 

[Ingwe]

We manged to 'hide' the MH under a large tree as the storm raged in Nevers 2019.
A couple from the Aire who were on a motorbike were injured.
My reading glasses for size comparison ......

 

[Ingwe]

With the risk of a written off van, could you find a local farmer with a barn to park van in for the few nights of predicted risk? Maybe a few euros or bottle of wine as a thankyou. Potentially better than the damage / upheaval and worse, a declined insurance payout.

May well approach a neighbouring farmer as there is a large, empty barn not too far away.

 

[Phill D]

We arrived at Langres a few years back after a hail storm 2 vans had parked under a large tree to avoid the worst.
Both were damaged badly by overloaded branches breaking off and dropping onto the roof of both vans .

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[nicholsong]

We do have other things we could use but tying them down is the problem. It gets really windy when there‘s a storm.

If you used carpet you could soak it to help keep it in place - if the drought rules allow.

 

[Ditcha]

Don't want this to happen

 

[Cass18]

We’re at our French house in Nievre. It is soo hot and dry we’ve barely ventured out of the house except for shopping and cooling swims in the nearby lake after 18:30 in the evening.

The local newspaper, Le Journal du Centre, is warning of the risk of fires and it’s true that the “lawn” is so dry, mowing has been unnecessary. But today there’s a warning of an impending storm with torrential rain and, more worryingly, hail storms.

Apparently, a month ago, there was such a storm and massive damage was caused by golf-ball-sized hailstones. So, we’ve tied chair cushions over the solar panel and put the snow cover over the van’s windscreen. It’s due to start at 04:00 tomorrow.

Fingers’ crossed that we have some rain but that there’ll be no hail!

Good idea, we have a home in France and the storms that come in are so ferocious that we have to tie everything down. Our Motorhome hasn’t been over for a few years, so hasn’t been a problem for us however I’ll remember the protection of the solar panels x

 

[Monty777]

We manged to 'hide' the MH under a large tree as the storm raged in Nevers 2019.
A couple from the Aire who were on a motorbike were injured.
My reading glasses for size comparison ......

WOW-that’s more of a hail half brick than a hailstone!

 

[WESTY66]

Don't want this to happen
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Bloody hell, I’d be gutted if that was mine

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