The most visible consequences of the storm include completely perforated fibrocement roofs, unusable solar panels, and vehicles with broken windows and dented roofs. Town halls and residents are working to assess and recover from the effects of this episode of solid precipitation, which dropped hailstones nearly 10 centimeters in diameter.
Fortunately, the storm has not caused significant damage to the vineyards in regions like Terra Alta and Priorat, where the grape harvest was already underway. The fact that the hailstorm was short-lived and fell mixed with rain helped prevent greater harm to the agricultural sector.
In Móra la Nova, the main warehouse of Comercial Llauradó suffered numerous holes in its fibrocement roof, in addition to damage to vehicles and other elements of nearby buildings. The storm particularly hit this town and Móra d’Ebre, the regional capital, which is currently celebrating its local festival. The capital recorded nearly 27 liters per square meter, with hailstones of about 8 centimeters in some areas.
The Móra d’Ebre Town Hall has begun tallying the damages, which include broken windows in buildings, skylights, and roof coverings of warehouses. The bus station and the sports center's windows were also affected. Solar photovoltaic panels, many on municipal properties, suffered considerable damage, as did numerous cars with broken windshields and body impacts.
The mayor, Rubén Biarnés, described how vehicles were left with broken windshields and dented roofs, and how Uralite roofs and double solar panels were perforated. The council is gathering information to assess the full extent of the damage and has assured that all possible means will be used to assist residents, especially with insurance claims. Biarnés has requested the Government to consider establishing a special aid line.
Regarding the agricultural sector, the main concern focused on vineyards and structures. In Terra Alta, despite hailstones falling in some parts of Batea, the duration and magnitude of the phenomenon did not cause severe damage. In Priorat, the Unió de Pagesos union estimates that 50% of the grapes still to be harvested in areas like Falset, Marçà, and Capçanes were affected.
Both DOQ Priorat and DO Montsant have indicated that the mix of hail and rain minimized damage to the grapes. The president of DO Montsant, Pilar Just, is confident that the rainfall may prove beneficial by helping to swell the grapes of the red varieties still ripening. The president of DOQ Priorat, Jaume Balaguer, estimates the overall impact at around 5%.
