Last year's storm damage prompts Volkswagen to purchase $5 million protective net

a hail storm here about 15 years ago damaged about 20% of the roofs and sidings. Replaced using insurance proceeds and the very next year, the folks who had filed a claim received their property isurance bills at $5,000 per annum.

The autos that were dented were scrapped out. Anybody from an auto plant sheet metal line coulda tippy tapped them out to like new. without spalling the paint. Just takes a light touch and patience. Oh, I forgot the american mantra = I want it all and I want it now!

Yes, you are correct, the hail stones coming in from Minnesota are larger, faster, heavier - but still fun to try and catch. Even freeze them for show and tell.

OK, you are correct. Suggest we simply place the balme where it really belongs from this mid-west geography: Duluth, Minnesota.

The winds coming toward the southeast pick up lots of moisture from lakes superior and Michigan. When they arrive at the south shore of Lake Michigan, confusion begins and very wierd, seemingly strange snow, rain, and high wind patterns occur at least 2 times per year. We have had mini tornados cut a path southwest toward northeast twice in one year, about 4 miles apart.

Snow fall may hit 10 inches in two hours about 11 miles south of the shoreline. This may be due to the elevation ridges which run east to west and are a legacy of the glaciers retreating and various lake levels that occurred over the tens of thousands of years.

Both those who get missed and those who are snowed in usually happy. Dig out is slow and usually sunshine does much of the work due to very moderate temperatures this year.

Air pollution rules our health far more than cold weather from up north. Junk particles must be so heavy that the wind only moves them a few miles from the steel mills and power plants. Other offall such as gasses move higher and further.