Funnel Cloud Causes Moderate Damage

Tools

Funnel Cloud by Shpherd, photo courtesy of Minnie Bell

By Kenneth Wong

Story Published: Jul 15, 2011 at 7:50 AM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 23, 2011 at 7:07 PM MDT

SHEPHERD - Reports of a funnel cloud came in Thursday evening from Shepherd, during a severe storm that dumped inches of rain in the area.

Residents on Razor Creek Road told KULR-8 News that gusty winds buffeted Thursday night, followed by rain and quarter-sized hails that quickly reduced visibility to 20 feet. After the storm came by, damage reports began to come in.

"I look down the driveway, then I say 'oh, there's a great big tree down there'." Said Leonard Schleder, who lives in Razor Creek Road. One of the trees that surround his house fell during the storm.

"The tree fell right on top of the well and smashed the pumphouse down,” said Schleder.

In addition to building damages in the area, crops were also destroyed.

"Hay barley's all laying down," said Clay McCaffree, who lives nearby. "Alfalfa, the leaves are pretty well beat off the alfalfa. There's some corn damage for the neighbors across the way from over here."

In addition, residents in nearby C A Road told KULR-8 News Friday morning that the storm uprooted rows of trees, as well as destroying a number of barns. In addition, some livestock remain unaccounted for after the storm.

Meanwhile, on Razor Creek Road, McCaffree and Schleder immediately began helping each other clean up. Both have a different theory as to what may have caused such damage. One believes it was a tornado, while the other believes a microburst was responsible.

On Friday, the National Weather Service in Billings said they have received reports of a funnel cloud, but they have decided against going to the area and investigate. Officials with the Weather Service said damages in the area were too light to warrant an on-site inspection. The Weather Service said the damage on Razor Creek and C A Road is probably caused by straight-line winds, as well as the accompanying hailstorm.

Your Weather Authority

Icon
Current Temp 82.0 °F
Thunderstorm
Wind : Southwest at
13.8 mph
Humidity : 16 %
Pressure : 29.75 in
More Weather

Party America Sky Cam

More Weather

On Demand

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.