EF2 tornado in McPherson County, South Dakota

A tornado entered southeast Mcpherson county from northeast Edmunds county. The tornado struck a farm along State Highway 45 where a calving shed was completely destroyed with large sections of the roof blown over 100 yards. The tornado then caused moderate damage to a barn with one collapsed wall. Multiple softwood and hardwood trees were uprooted and many power poles were completely snapped near the base. The tornado tore the roof off a turkey barn at the Long Lake Colony. Several Wetonka homes also sustained minor roof damage. The wind speeds were estimated between 111 and 120 mph. The tornado then moved into western Brown county and dissipated.

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.