Photo Gallery: wind damage in Porcupine

posted on March 27, 2012

A strong low pressure system moving through western South Dakota yesterday (Monday, March 26) caused damage to trees and structures in various parts of the reservation. The severe straight-line winds snapped a large pine tree in half, and sent the top half into the roof of Fr. Bill Pauly Hall, the parish hall of Christ the King Church in Porcupine, which is on the campus of Our Lady of Lourdes School. The tree punched three holes in the roof. As of this morning, maintenance crews from the school were working to repair the damage at least temporarily.

The weather station at Red Cloud School recorded a peak gust of 92 mph about 5:15 in the evening as the winds screamed through, enveloping many reservation communities in choking clouds of dust. In Chadron, Nebraska, about 40 miles southwest of Pine Ridge, part of the roof of the high school’s gymnasium was blown off. Other damage included a trailer that was blown on its side across the street from Our Lady of Lourdes in Porcupine.

A photo gallery of the Porcupine damage can be found HERE.