On June 28, 2012, a rare supercell thunderstorm struck Hinckley and Burbage in Leicestershire shortly before 1pm. Warm, unstable air arriving from the Iberian Peninsula met cooler Atlantic air, while strong wind shear helped create a rotating storm. Hailstones comparable to tennis balls battered the area, with some reportedly measuring up to 100mm. The bombardment stripped trees, broke windows and punched through conservatory roofing. Ice and debris clogged drains, contributing to flash flooding in Hinckley’s town centre.
An estimated 5,000 vehicles were damaged, leaving residents and businesses facing punishing losses. At Wynne’s Garage, owner Wynne Richards said every car outside was beyond economic repair; nearby Boyslade Garage reported 50 to 60 vehicles lost. Damage from that day’s storms across Leicestershire was estimated at up to £150 million. Behind those figures were households confronting exposed rooms, ruined possessions and extensive repairs—a lasting reminder of how quickly familiar streets could become unrecognisable.
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