EF4 Tornado — Edmunds, South Dakota

2010-05-22 · near Bowdle, Edmunds, South Dakota

Event narrative

An EF2 tornado in eastern Walworth county crossed into western Edmunds county and intensified into a large EF4 tornado as it struck several farms in its path. At the first farm, several large cottonwood trees were uprooted along with damage to several trailers. Three grain bins were also destroyed with debris located several hundred yards to the northeast. The residence suffered some shingle and antenna damage. The tornado then tracked northeast to a second farm where several outbuildings were damaged or destroyed along with widespread tree damage. The main residence at this location suffered no damage. Several grain cars were also rolled about 100 yards into the trees behind the house.

The large tornado continued to track northeast to a third farm to the north of Bowdle. The main residence suffered major damage to walls with part of the roof structure removed. Widespread tree damage was sustained with many of the

trees completely debarked with only the stumps of the largest branches

remaining. Two large garages were completely destroyed with the

concrete slab wiped clean. The vehicles in one garage were

rolled or tossed from 25 to 100 yards away. It is estimated that one

vehicle flew through the air 75 to 100 yards resting in the tree

shelter belt to the north of the residence. Several other outbuildings were completely destroyed.

The tornado then toppled six to eight metal power transmission towers as it moved to the north of the farm. One tower was sheared off from the concrete footings and traveled an estimated 400 yards. Ground scouring was visible along the path of these towers.

The large tornado continued to track east crossing over State Highway 47 where a state radio tower was toppled. The tornado lifted shortly thereafter. The highest wind speeds were estimated to be from 166 to 200 mph.

Wider weather episode

Several supercell thunderstorms developed along a very strong warm front and produced nine tornadoes from Akaska to Bowdle to Hecla. The largest of the tornadoes was an EF4 tornado which occurred near Bowdle. This tornado produced devastating damage in the Bowdle area. The other tornadoes ranged from EF0 to EF2 and caused extensive tree and building damage. Nearly one-hundred power poles were downed along with several high line towers leaving nearly a thousand customers without power. Also, very strong straight line winds and large hail up to the size of golfballs affected parts of the area causing some damage.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (45.4500, -99.7100)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 235969. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.