What began as a normal evening became a night residents will talk about for years. Families huddled in hallways and basements, listening as hailstones smashed glass, tore through shingles, and set off car alarms up and down their streets. By the time the storm passed, yards were littered with shattered glass, dented metal, and chunks of ice slowly melting into the grass.

Emergency crews moved quickly through the darkened town, checking on elderly residents, boarding up broken windows, and marking off dangerous areas where debris still fell from damaged roofs. Neighbors stepped outside in stunned silence, then slowly began helping one another clear driveways and cover holes with tarps and plywood. Though no serious injuries were reported, the emotional toll was undeniable. For many, the sound of that hail will echo in their minds long after the last piece of ice disappears.