Hail Cancels Tomlinson Concert, Injures Fans
Introduction
Severe weather conditions led to the cancellation of Louis Tomlinson’s scheduled concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater on Thursday night. The unexpected hailstorm caused injuries to dozens of concertgoers. West Metro Fire Rescue responded to the scene, attended the injured, and transported seven individuals to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Around 80-90 individuals were present at the scene and received medical treatment.
What Happened at the Concert?
At approximately 9 p.m., the National Weather Service in Boulder, CO, issued a warning about a hailstorm that could generate “golf ball sized hail.” The Red Rocks staff gave concertgoers a five-minute warning to seek shelter before the hailstorm hit the amphitheater area.
Tomlinson was ready to perform after the venue received an all-clear signal following the hailstorm. However, another severe weather warning was issued 30 minutes later, and the concert was officially postponed at 10:25 p.m. Fans could not leave the scene due to vehicle damage caused by the hailstorm.
Concertgoers Response to the Hailstorm
Concertgoers present at the event used trash cans to shield themselves from the hail, but still suffered from welts, bumps, and potentially broken fingers. Mollie, a concertgoer, told Fox31, “We were on the lower end by the north ramp entrance by a beverage cart; me and my sister had to corner ourselves into a wall with boxes above us from the recycle over our heads to protect us. A few big ones welted us pretty good.”
Louis Tomlinson’s Reaction to the Cancellation
Tomlinson posted a tweet expressing his disappointment at the cancellation of the show and hoped that everyone would be safe. He mentioned that he would come back to perform at Red Rocks Amphitheater in the future.
Red Rocks Weather Response Policies
Red Rocks Amphitheater maintains an on-site meteorologist to monitor weather conditions and issues alerts for concerts accordingly. In general, they do not cancel shows in adverse weather conditions because of regular occurrences of rainy, hot, and snowy conditions. However, they prioritize the safety of the fans and employees, and in this case, the unanticipated hailstorm forced them to postpone the show and evacuate the premises.
Why is Hail Dangerous?
Hailstorms are a natural weather phenomenon that forms when thunderstorm updrafts (rising air currents) carry raindrops above the freezing level, where they freeze. Hailstones grow as additional layers of ice coat the frozen droplets until they become too heavy for the updrafts to support and eventually drop to the ground. Hailstones can cause significant property damage, personal injury, and sometimes lead to fatalities when the hailstones are larger than 1 inch in diameter.
How to Stay Safe in a Hailstorm?
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Stay Indoors | Avoid going outside during a hailstorm, and stay inside until the storm passes completely |
| Get to a Shelter | Seek shelter in a sturdy building or underground location, if possible |
| Avoid Windows | Stay away from windows that can shatter from the hailstones’ impact and injure you |
| Wear Protection | Wear helmets and other protective gear to avoid hailstone impact, if possible |
Conclusion
The abrupt hailstorm that struck Red Rocks Amphitheater caused injuries to concertgoers and forced the cancellation of a scheduled performance by Louis Tomlinson. The amphitheater staff prioritizes safety, and their on-site meteorologist was monitoring weather conditions as usual before the performance. Despite their preparedness, the unprecedented hailstorm hit the area, and the venue had to postpone the show. Concertgoers should always take weather warnings seriously and take necessary precautions to stay safe in unexpected weather conditions.
FAQs
Q1: What caused the hailstorm?
A1: Hailstorms can form when thunderstorm updrafts carry raindrops above the freezing level, where they freeze and form hailstones.
Q2: How dangerous is hail?
A2: Hail can cause significant property damage, personal injury, and sometimes even lead to fatalities when the hailstones are larger than 1 inch in diameter.
Q3: How does Red Rocks Amphitheater monitor weather conditions?
A3: They maintain an on-site meteorologist to monitor weather forecasts and issue alerts when necessary.
Q4: What should I do if a hailstorm hits?
A4: Stay inside or seek shelter in a sturdy building or underground location and avoid windows that can shatter from the hailstones’ impact.
Q5: What should I wear during a hailstorm?
A5: Wear helmets and other protective gear to avoid hailstone impact, if possible.