If you were anywhere near central South Dakota on June 22nd, then you remember the horrific hail storm that pounded the area. While repairs on most of the property damage are well underway by now, there’s one lasting scar that’s so extensive you can see it from space.
On the morning of June 22, 2017 a large storm blew through central South Dakota.
bl0ndeeo2/flickr
Hail pounded the region. According to stormersite.com, hail was reported from as far west as Pierre all the way east to Toronto.
vanerpaddel/flickr
With hailstones ranging from the size of nickels to as large as golf-ball sized pummeling the fields, roads and buildings, the storm left a lot of damage in its wake.
Steve Longus/flickr
Hailstones accumulated in drifts in Pierre. In Castlewood, the Castlewood Assisted Living had to be evacuated because the building’s windows were destroyed on one side, and there was extensive damage to the building.
Hamlin County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook
But the worst of the damage may have been suffered by farmers. This sixty-mile long scar in the landscape shows the hailstorms damage to central South Dakota fields.
NASA Earth Observatory
While hail damage can be difficult to determine on the ground, especially when large regions are affected, from space, satellites are easily able to discern the damaged fields from the healthy, green fields surrounding them. This large scar stretches from Thomas, South Dakota all the way to Marshall, Minnesota.
NASA Earth Observatory
Where were you during this terrible weather event? Tell us how it impacted you!
bl0ndeeo2/flickr
vanerpaddel/flickr
Steve Longus/flickr
Hamlin County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook
NASA Earth Observatory
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