Severe Hailstorms Batter Northeast Ohio

Photos and videos capture widespread damage to cars, homes, and businesses in Solon and surrounding areas.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:10am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A vast, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a sweeping, dramatic hailstorm over a suburban neighborhood, with the massive, swirling vortex of hailstones dwarfing the small structures below and conveying the overwhelming scale and force of the natural disaster.A severe hailstorm overwhelms a suburban community, showcasing the raw power of extreme weather events driven by climate change.Cleveland Today

Powerful thunderstorms swept through Northeast Ohio on Wednesday, spawning intense hailstorms that caused significant damage across the region. The Solon area was hit particularly hard, with reports of hailstones larger than ping pong balls shattering windows, denting vehicles, and pummeling buildings. Residents and eyewitnesses shared dramatic footage and photos of the 'zombie hail' - jagged, spiky hailstones - raining down and wreaking havoc.

Why it matters

Hailstorms of this magnitude can pose a serious threat to public safety, causing injuries and widespread property damage. The extreme weather event also highlights the need for improved storm preparedness and resilience in Northeast Ohio communities that are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The details

The severe thunderstorms brought torrential rain, high winds, and massive hailstones to the Solon area and surrounding counties. Eyewitness videos and photos show the hail pounding pavement, shattering car windows, and causing extensive damage to homes and businesses. Some of the hailstones were described as larger than ping pong balls, with jagged, spiky edges that earned them the nickname 'zombie hail'.

  • The storms struck Northeast Ohio on Wednesday afternoon.

The players

Brian Polomsky

A 3News viewer who captured video of the hail pounding the pavement and cars outside a real estate office in Solon.

Sia Nyorkor

A 3News reporter who traveled to Solon to document the flooding caused by the heavy rain.

Stacey Weber

A 3News viewer who provided photos of her husband's car after it was damaged by the hailstorm in Solon.

Brittany Kahle

A 3News viewer who shared a photo of the massive hailstones she witnessed in Solon, describing them as 'larger than ping pong balls'.

Jacob Maher

An Instagram user who posted a video of his Tesla caught in the hailstorm in Solon, with the sunroof severely damaged.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Larger than ping pong balls”

— Brittany Kahle, 3News viewer

What’s next

Local authorities and emergency services are assessing the full extent of the damage and coordinating cleanup and recovery efforts in the affected areas.

The takeaway

The intense hailstorms that struck Northeast Ohio serve as a stark reminder of the increasing severity and unpredictability of extreme weather events driven by climate change. This incident underscores the need for communities to invest in robust infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and resilience measures to protect residents and businesses from the growing risks posed by such natural disasters.