'Doozy' of a hail storm batters Hawke's Bay fruit

A severe hail storm battered Hawke's Bay's main fruit-growing area yesterday afternoon, turning some streets white with hailstones. It struck at one of the worst times of the year for growers - when vineyards and orchards are in early spring growth and crops are particularly prone to damage. Vineyard owner and former president of the Hawke's Bay Winegrowers Association Chris Howell lives west of Hastings, and was waiting overnight to take a good look at whether his vines have been damaged.