Hailstones force vehicles to pull over in Laguna

Hailstone in Los Banos, Laguna. Photo by Ron Dangcalan

SAN PEDRO CITY –– Hailstones, some described to be as big as tapioca pearls, came with the sudden downpour in parts of Laguna on Tuesday afternoon.

Marlon Tobias, a provincial government employee, said they felt the hailstones as they were driving in Barangay Lamot in Calauan town past 1 p.m.

“I wouldn’t believe it at first until a vehicle in front of us pulled over. We had to stop too because you almost couldn’t see the road anymore. We also worried the hailstones might damage the windshield,” Tobias said.

He said other vehicles in the area also had to stop and wait out the hail that lasted “three to five minutes.”

In Los Baños town, residents also noted the hailstones, some as big as corn kernels.

No one was reported hurt in the hail.

The sudden downpour came a day after Typhoon “Ambo” exited the Philippines’ area of responsibility.

Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez said Ambo earlier forced about 500 families to evacuate. The evacuees had returned home on Saturday with the typhoon leaving “minimal” damage to agriculture or infrastructure in Laguna.

LZB