Hail storms damage farms in northern Marion County
Lightning flashed and thunder roared Monday evening as several intense storms moved across northern Marion County. The first storm was accompanied by large hail.
Bob and Carol Makovec's farm at 3232 Quail Creek Road was hard hit. Neither of them was home at the time. Carol was returning from Lincolnville shortly after 8 p.m. but took refuge at the church in Pilsen after hearing a radio report advising residents of northern Marion County to take cover.
At about the same time, Bob turned onto Quail Creek Road from 290th in his semi-truck and decided to stop and wait it out.
They were wise to do so because when they got home, they found the ground covered with hail, some the size of quarters and golf balls. A north storm window was cracked and many garden plants were flattened. They received about one and one-half inches of rain. Bob said nearby wheat fields were damaged. The farm is three and one-half miles south of Ramona.
Tornado sirens sounded for approximately half an hour at Pilsen and Lincolnville beginning about 8:15 p.m. after storm-watchers reported rotation in the clouds. Some hail damage to vehicles was reported in Lincolnville. However, no tornadoes were sighted. An inch and one-half of rain was recorded.
Light hail and about an inch of rain were reported at Durham and Lost Springs. Not much wind accompanied the hail, minimizing damage.
Several farmers around Tampa reported wheat damage.
Burdick, located just across the border in Morris County, unofficially received about two inches of rain and light hail.
The storms apparently followed a narrow line. Marion Reservoir received .78 of rain. Herington in Dickinson County received an unofficial .40, with no wind but lots of lightning.
