The amount of water could be used to estimate the energy that was in the ball, for this instance about 1,000,000 Joules. Estimates from other events range from 1000 to 2,000,000 Joules. Ball lightning sometimes carries a significant charge, and sometimes no charge. Some witnesses have reported being seriously shocked and others not at all. People have sometimes gotten burns similar to those caused by ultraviolet radiation from touching ball lightning.
Most reports show no evidence of radiant heat from the balls, even at close range.
However, the presence of significant heat in some cases is certain. On one occasion 35 cm of sand was melted by ball lightning. A ball lightning floated slowly through the open entrance of a room, floated horizontally around the room in a U-shape, and exited again through the door. Vibrated a bit while passing above a metal stove. In England, a ball appeared above a stove and floated directly toward an eyewitness, who was burned when it touched her.