Tennis Ball-Sized Hail and Destroyed Cars as Severe Weather Hits Switzerland (PHOTOS)

A powerful storm has caused extensive damage in several parts of Europe, including France, Italy and Switzerland. Strong winds, heavy rainfall and large hail damaged vehicles, homes and trees, while the situation sparked moments of panic among residents.

In Switzerland, large hail struck several areas, damaging gardens and causing other material damage. The hailstones were exceptionally large, comparable in size to a tennis ball, highlighting the rare intensity of the atmospheric phenomenon.

In France, winds also reached speeds of up to 90 miles per hour, or around 145 kilometers per hour. Published footage shows trees bent by the force of the wind and heavy rain ‘pounding’ the roads.

The situation was particularly difficult in the Seine-et-Marne region, where one person was knocked to the ground while trying to withstand the powerful winds. On the A36 motorway near Besançon, a driver showed the large hail that had entered the vehicle and shattered its windows.

In Paris, hail also damaged vehicles and trains, shattering their windows. In another incident, a large tree branch was torn off by the wind and fell onto a car while the driver was still inside.

Supercell storms are powerful, rotating storm systems that can last for several hours and be accompanied by very strong winds, heavy rainfall and large hail.

Authorities and residents in the affected areas are dealing with the aftermath of the extreme weather, while footage posted on social media shows the extent of the damage caused by the storm.