Tornadoes, Severe Storms Pummel Midwest
Lee Ferran
The Weather Channel reported that on a typical June day there are 181 severe weather reports, including 8 possible tornadoes. On Wednesday, it received more than 300 severe weather reports, including 23 possible tornadoes.
June 18, 2009
By Lee Ferran
ABC
Nearly two dozen tornados ripped through the Midwest last night, flipping cars, knocking out power for thousands and injuring one person severely.
In Austin, Minn., one possible tornado tore through the northern side of the town causing damage estimates in the millions and injuring several horses.
Video grab of a tornado over Chamion, Neb.
"I started running down the road, ran, looked up in the sky and saw a bunch of debris up in the sky, circling around like crazy," one eye-witness said.
Tim Sherno, from ABC News' Minneapolis affiliate KSTP visited Austin to survey the damage.
"We've seen a lot and this is a good example," Sherno said as he stood in the midst of steel-strewn rubble. "This used to be a storage building. It was basically squashed by a tornado last night. We have seen pieces of metal crumpled up like paper balls, scattered across the landscape."
Nearby, Sherno said the possible tornado wrapped a piece of metal around a tree, "draped like a neck tie."
Man Survives Tumble in Shed
One man was reportedly inside a shed when it flipped over twice, but other than a few scrapes and bruises, walked away unscathed.
"Tornados are strange animals. They do bizarre things," Sherno said.
While there was only one serious injury reported, Sherno said paramedics reported treating multiple minor injuries.
'No Electricity Anywhere'
Power was also knocked out for most residents in Austin, Sherno said.
"There is no electricity anywhere in town," Cpt. Jim Brickson, commander on site told KSTP. "We have a generator available to provide lights in our Austin service center and are waiting direction from city officials."
Flooding was the primary problem in Abercrombie, N.D., a small town south of Fargo, where clouds rained down 8 inches of rain in 24 hours, The Associated Press reported.
Storm drains were overwhelmed by flash floods in Pittsburgh, as a rainfall record was broken, ABC News' Pittsburgh affiliate WTAE reported.
The severe weather is expected to continue today, according to the National Weather Service.
Severe thunderstorm watches are in effect for parts of Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Iowa. Flood warnings are ineffect for much of Missouri, with patches of flash flood warnings in central regions.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=7869764&page=1
www.standeyo.com/NEWS/09_Earth_Changes/090618.Midwest.tornadoes.html