Downbursts can cause a roaring sound like a train and can slice off large trees. Thus, they often are mistaken for tornadoes. The strongest downburst ever recorded was 158 mph at Andrews Air Force Base, MD in 1986. Brockton, Whitman, and Abington were the hardest hit towns. Nine elementary school children were killed in East Coldenham, NY when a microburst blew down a cafeteria wall in November 1989.
Small hail can damage crops.
However, when hail reaches nickel to quarter size, it begins to dent cars. All but one access road into the town of Leverett was washed out in what some said was the worst flooding since the Great 1938 New England Hurricane. Lightning also is attracted to the tallest objects, so you should not seek safety underneath a large tree, especially an isolated tree. If outdoors, do not stand in an open field. Stay away from fences, poles, etc.