Canada was rattled by a brutal hail event on August 1, 2022, as a vehicle journeyed along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway just south of Red Deer. A sudden, violent hailstorm disrupted the road, leaving drivers nowhere to shelter as ice hammered the surfaces. The storm lasted roughly ten minutes, leaving a trail of damage behind.
Across the scene, more than 70 vehicles appeared to share a common fate: windows shattered, bodies dented, and the interior flooding with hail fragments. The impact of the hail was severe enough to immobilize many cars, yet the storm began and ended with a flurry of icy pellets that tested every vehicle on the highway. In the case described, a Tesla Model 3 endured an onslaught of ice balls, some the size of tennis balls and grapefruits. The exterior glass fought to hold, aided by protective film that absorbed much of the shock, although the windshield still wore a mosaic of cracks and chips. The driver pressed on through the storm, each gust a reminder of nature’s unpredictable force and the importance of modern vehicle safety features in such moments.
Comments from viewers reflect the emotional weight of the event. The clip is described as heartbreaking, with reactions that underscore the vulnerability of travelers caught in severe weather. One commenter expressed the fear of being trapped inside a vehicle as hail relentlessly pounds a roof and windshield, turning glass into a brittle, glittering rain. Another voice confessed a personal sense of trauma when confronted with the footage. A third observer noted the contrast between vehicle design and personal experience, remarking how a sturdier roof and resilient glass might alter the feeling of vulnerability during a hail event.
As the video circulated, the hailstorm was captured and shared widely, prompting reflections on storm safety and the resilience of modern cars. The juxtaposition of high-tech protection against a raw meteorological force highlighted both the advances in automotive safety and the unpredictable nature of extreme weather. The footage serves as a stark reminder that even with protection, the headlong pace of a highway storm can test drivers, passengers, and vehicle systems alike.
Photo, video: YouTube