Storm drowns out Branson stunt

Richard Branson got a thunder and lightning show for the opening of his newest Virgin Megastore that was so dynamic it forced him to cancel a raft of theatrical stunts he had planned.

The Southern California thunderstorms that dropped hailstones almost as big as golf balls and knocked out power in some areas also forced Branson to cancel plans to rappel from the side of the three-storey Hollywood complex, where his new 20,000-square-foot store is located.