VIOLENT thunderstorms wreaked havoc across the South this weekend.

Householders and businesses are today counting the cost after lightning and flashfloods took their toll.

At one point, motorists on the A31 between Ringwood and Southamp-ton had to pull over as hailstones the size of golf balls rained down - reducing visibility to zero.

On the Isle of Wight, Cowes' High Street was badly flooded during a prolonged cloudburst.

And, in Southampton a family were facing a hefty repair bill after lightning struck their chimney stack.

The Emergency services in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight reported numerous incidents, including dozens of fire alarms triggered by the thunderstorms.

Gordon Smith, forecaster at Southampton weather centre, said to have hot, humid weather followed by violent storms in May was not rare. He added that the hot weather and cloud situation in France has filtered across the Channel causing our weather.

He said: "The next few days will be very similar - very little will change right up until Thursday."

Yesterday, Carla Jones and her two children Alex Jade and Paris had a lucky escape after lightning hit her home in Arcadia Road, Merryoak, Southampton.

Firefighters from Hightown and the aerial ladder platform from Redbridge were involved in the clean-up operation.

Last night, Carla was too shocked to talk.

Her husband Saul, 33, said: "Apparently the lightning came down the chimney and went through the house.

"At least they are all right - that is the main thing. A house can always be rebuilt. The insurance can sort that out."

Mr Jones, who works as a glazier for Autoglass, said: "Most of the work I have been doing this morning is fitting glass smashed by the lightning.

"I had thought there hadn't been any problems round here until now."

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