Tornados only last a few minutes and damage is limited to their path. What I describe here is unprecedented. A powerful storm with 80-100 mph winds ripped across all of Eastern South Dakota yesterday evening. Lots of damage. One dead. Barb and I are lucky. We rode this out in safety and no apparent damage to our house. The violent wind gust front began rolling forward out of our border with Nebraska southwest of Sioux Falls about 5:00 p.m. It held together for five hours and damaged western Minnesota and Iowa as well. Thoughts and prayers for those hurt or homes damaged. I grew up in tornado alley, but have never seen anything like this storm that lasted several hours and spawned tornados along with the 80-100 mph straight winds. Today is neighbors helping neighbors pick up the pieces. God save the Great Plains if this becomes common.
