Date: 201508
Weather elements / visibility: Turbulence; Thunderstorm
Aircraft: Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Flight Attendant
When detected: In-flight
Result: General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Weather
Primary problem: Weather

Narrative: We encountered severe turbulence. I was nearly finished with cabin service. I had just served row 15. I locked the cart and attempted service on row 16; so the cart was approximately between rows 17 and 18. Turbulence struck; and I grabbed the seat handles and squatted down. I was not prepared because the Captain never informed us. I thought it was over so I tried to stand up; but I couldn't. A few seconds passed and the plane dropped drastically causing the cart to hit the top of the plane. All contents on top of the cart were off and scattered on the floor of the cabin.  Contents included; two large full bottles of water; a coffee pot; a sleeve of cold cups and a sleeve of hot cups and a caddy (sugar; tea; napkins; stir sticks). After it passed; I remained on the floor because I felt really lightheaded and unsteady. I completely lost my hearing while the incident was occurring. The only thing I heard was the cart hitting the ceiling. I only realized this when the forward FA said she yelled at me to ask if I was ok; and I never heard her. She commented that everyone was screaming very loudly. I didn't hear anything or anyone until I was able to stand up. I was worried about the forward FA; as she was in pain. The turbulence had hurt her shoulder. My neck was sore; but I was able to complete my tasks. A passenger in row 18 said that she never knew the importance of wearing her seatbelt until that occurrence.The forward FA and I checked on all the passengers and asked each one 'if they were alright.' Everyone that had a drink; was wearing it. My cart was a mess. I took the cart back to the galley and the drawers were all jammed. I set the cart back up and serviced everyone again. We kept the aircraft for the next flight and upon setting up the cart for service; we realized that the metal flap that folds out; fell off. So damage was done to the cart. The pilots checked the ceiling and no damage was done.Turbulence happens on almost every flight; and the severity depends on the type of turbulence encountered. On said flight; it was severe turbulence. The cart was thrown up and hit the ceiling aircraft. Turbulence happened; and the FAs were not prepared because no warning was given from the Captain. After the initial shock wore off; the Forward FA and I checked on each passenger. No one was injured. One lady complained to her about her neck. The forward FA gave the lady an ice bag and asked her if she needed an ambulance to meet us at gate; but lady said she was ok.After we landed and deplaned; we questioned the flight crew. We asked them why they didn't call us and give us a heads up on the weather. Their response was that they were busy trying to get out of the storm. They gave excuses such as ATC wasn't communicating with them and that basically they were too busy to communicate with us. One had commented that at one point they lost auto pilot. He commented that if they had taken the time to call and let us know that we wouldn't be having a conversation at all. They were so engrossed in keeping us out of the storm; that they couldn't call us and let us know that we were going into a storm. However; I am disappointed with the lack of communication.




Synopsis: CRJ900 Flight Attendant described an unexpected encounter with severe turbulence during beverage service. The service cart hit the ceiling and landed back in the aisle without injuring anyone. No warning was received from the flight crew.