Lake Thompson SD Storm

[ifitfliesitdies]

I heard second hand that there was alot of damage to trucks,trailers and boats on Lake Thompson on Sunday afternoon.

Tornado/Straight line winds just tore up everything. The information that I recieved was that things began to build as boats were coming off the lake...and then just exploded. 10' rollers and wind, hail and what they are describing was a tornado. At the boat ramp trucks and trailers were twisted and flipped over. Boats were totaled when thrown on the shore.

Anybody there first hand to fill us in?

Thankfully at this point they are saying that nobody was hurt.


Steve catches more than TK!

[Eyez]

I can't verify the info about Thompson, but I heard from a good source that the town of Sinai was trashed pretty bad. I don't have details though.


Eyez

[sdwalleye]

Wasn't there but stop at a rest area outsdie of Desmet ont he way back from the river and he had been there with his fifthwheel camper and hole sint eh back of it the size of a baseball. He had told me all the window had been blown out of the house the state rents out and most campers recieve damage like his. He also stated he had heard a boat capsized but didn't know if the people where ok.


On a sad note while up at gettysburg I was told a man had a heat attack and fell over board at dodge draw. Haven't heard if the found the body yet.

[teacher]

Nice spelling.DUH

[eyecatcher_1]

I was on my way from Huron to Madison during the storm which takes me by Thompson and Sinai. There were many campers and pickups with very bad damage leaving Lake Thompson, didn't hear of anything like the above post, but from the rest of the damage I saw, I can believe it. The area around Sinai was absolutely astonishing. The corn lay as flat as a table; parts from homes and outbuildings were struin about everywhere. It was a horrendous storm and I am amazed to hear that no one lost their life. I was out of danger the entire time, but I have to say it was really weird following the destruction and seeing shelter belts that I have hunted for years virtually destroyed.

East of Lake Thompson had 4 1/2" diameter hail!!

We needed the rain, but wow did we get way more.

[eyecatcher_1]

here's a link that gives the detail if anyone is interested.

http://www.argusleader.com/news/Mondayfeature.shtml

[tk]

Just another reminder to everyone that NO fish is worth pushing your luck. Glad to hear no one was seriously injured.
12-13inchers don't count in my book!

[MapnSD]

My neighbor was at Lake Thompson Sun. during the storm. He said he was the last one able to load at the dock. After he got his boat on the trailer the waves moved the dock out into the lake. He said he did see a boat flipped over and over. Many boats ended up on the rocks and on shore. Many campers still at the campground that afternoon and much equipment was destroyed. I have not heard of anyone hurt badly, even though the hail was as large tennis balls. His venicle and boat look like someone used a baseball bat on them.
Most said the storm looked like it was moving south of them, but turned and was on them with little time to react.

Mike
Mikes Maps

[EyeAuthority]

There was one person, reports are that it was a kid, that got hit in the head with what was described as baseball sized hail and was taken to an area hospital. Also heard that his back took a pretty serious beating too. Have not heard any updates on him though. Have also heard reports that the hail was big enough to punch holes right through the tops of boats.

[O2PRO]

Yes I was there.
It started with a dark blue sky to the NW. We started to packup.With in 5 min. we saw a lightning strike. Then the storm turned our way.
Of course there were too many boats trying to load at once with what looked like many inexperianced operators causing caos.
Some very nice people waded in and helped others load,a big thank you.
We were one of the last ones to load when the hail (5" square)and the wind 80mph+ hit.
When loading my Ranger 692 we took on a wave 6'in the back flooding it out but we were loaded as the large public dock also left.
The 5" hail soon pounded out the back window of my buddys new dodge sending glass and hail up the dash and down your shirt. Zero visibility 20 min. our windschield stayed many didn`t.
Fire deptments and E.M.T. crews responded in quick time as many boaters were hit in the head and very brused.
A Sheriff with binocs spotted an older couple on shore on the east bank. Fourwheelers with radios said she needed an ambulance We put the Ranger back in the water. E.M.T.`s and fire personel went with me and we brought her back to the ambulance.
One man said "you can`t imagine what it`s like to have 5 gal. pail over your head and having the ##### beat out a ya".
We then checked out other objects floating with radio aid from spotters on shore.
An excelent job was performed by emergency crews.
The new Dodge totaled.
The Ranger from early estimates totaled.
Damage to the Ranger, all gauges, swithches,knobs, (2)- x85`s
(1)Genetron GT-9 ,glove box,windscheilds,knocked head off bow mount and cracked footcontrol in half,dented fiberglass,fractured fiberglass,numerous gel coat damage, all seats damaged,flooded tackel,main mtr. hood and pan.
The ignition key box pounded through but the Ranger still operable.
I have replacement insurance with state farm the next few weeks should test how good it is.
I consider my buddy and I safe boaters but A clogged landing and quick storm left many hurt.

Safty first

[eyewinder]

Excellent description. I've been on Thompson by myself when conditions were tough, but not nearly as bad as you described.

I put in on the northeast end one morning when the Weather Channel said there would be northwest winds in the afternoon. I guess they really meant northwest winds NOT! When it came time to load, there were 20 to 30 mph winds out of the southwest.

An older gentleman offered to back my trailer in, which allowed me to stay off the shore and not have to tie to the dock. His help allowed me to avoid damaging to my boat (a 690 by coincidence) . . . he looked like an angel to me!

[Juls_OH]

Good morning 02PRO,
I'm glad you and your buddy, and everyone else, were ok. You may not admit it, but you guys are "heros". To unload your boat again in weather like that, and risk your lives to go help strangers was courageous. I'm sure that older couple is thanking their lucky stars you were there that day.
That storm sounded like a real doozy!

Good luck with your insurance....I'm hoping you're back on the water with a pretty new Ranger real soon!

I raise my coffee cup to you in a toast Mr. Hero(s)...Kudos to you guys!

Juls

[O2PRO]

Just a follow up,
My boat was totaled and State farm treated me good.

Safty first