(Undated)– Strong thunderstorms that quickly erupted across the area early this (Tuesday) afternoon brought extremely heavy rain, hail ranging from pea-size to tennis balls and numerous reports of funnel clouds, including one brief touch-down of a tornado, sent people in some places scurrying for shelter.
The reported tornado touchdown took place in O’Brien county where a spotter reported seeing a twister briefly touch down in a field about four miles southwest of Sanborn. There were no immediate reports of damage.
Hail the size of tennis balls stripped leaves from trees and damaged buildings and vehicles in an area two miles east/northeast of Hartley. There were numerous reports of golf ball-size hail in the Moneta and Everly areas.
The Iowa Great Lakes escped the severe activity. Moderate to heavy rain fell for a brief period here at the KUOO studios. Rainfall totaled not quite a quarter of-an-inch.
