Hailstorm havoc: Calgary airport hit, severe damage and delays

Great chaos ensued in the Canadian province of Alberta and at Calgary International Airport. A severe hailstorm significantly damaged the terminal building. Tourists claimed that the hail was the size of baseballs.

The process of cleaning and assessing the damage from the hailstorm with strong gusts of wind, which passed through the northern part of Calgary, Alberta, is underway. Meteorologists are still tracking the storm cell, and warnings of dangerous precipitation are still in some regions.

- We were pretty scared. Normally, I don't get scared during storms, but even I found myself a little bit like, 'oh, don't stand too close to the windows, said Netanya Winterburn, a resident of the Sage Hill district, as quoted by CBC News.

Broken car windows, dents in roofs, destroyed garden furniture, and all kinds of plants—these are the things that the area's residents now have to deal with.

Social media also posted videos showing the dramatic situation at the international airport. The strong hailstorm significantly damaged the terminal building, causing the closure of parts of the building and delays for over 80 scheduled flights. Some flights were also cancelled. Two airport gates (A and B) are closed until further notice. "For the safety of our guests and employees, the authority made the decision to evacuate and close B gates and some C gates at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Aug. 5. Our teams continue to monitor the situation and assess the extent of damage," read a statement from the airport.

Tourists present at the airport during that time experienced moments of terror. The recordings show flooded and damaged areas in the departure hall. Many shops at the airport were also flooded, and hail shattered windows. "We prioritize the safety of all our guests and staff, which is why we are immediately cleaning the entire area," the airport statement reads.