Storms destroy building, other damages reported
A spring storm blew through Marion County Sunday evening causing damage in various areas of the county.
Storms began in the county around 8 p.m., causing spectacular lightning, rain, hail, and wind.
The storms seemed to split and traveled in two directions — causing damages in the northeast and southeast parts of the county.
Still not exactly sure if it was just wind or a twister, a roof was ripped off a repair shop owned by Roger and Laura Williams, 2274 U.S.-50, Florence. Pieces of the metal roof were strewn across the Williams' property and for about one-quarter of a mile.
"I was in the basement of my home at about 9 p.m.," said Laura, "when the storm hit. My ears popped."
Laura said Roger was in the main part of the home and could feel the house swell as the storm passed over.
In the aftermath, stubble from a field just south of the home was strewn in the couple's front yard — mostly under trees and bushes.
An outbuilding, located directly east of the house, sustained moderate damage and the repair shop, just east of the outbuilding, suffered the most damage.
When employees showed up Monday morning for a typical day at the shop, they were surprised to see the building destroyed and the shop in disarray. The employees quickly got to work with a skid loader, flat bed trailer, and a large Dumpster for debris that wasn't salvagable.
A visual survey of the area indicated there wasn't any apparent damage other than on the Williams' property.
Pilsen residents also suffered the wrath of spring weather Sunday evening.
Hail was reported in the area that resulted in numerous reports of damages.
Dale Klenda reported a broken front windshield in his pickup. Kathy Svitak reported damages to her vehicle and house.
Between 8 and 9 p.m. Svitak reported it had hailed twice. Svitak said there was a broken back window in a vehicle and damage to the siding on her house as a result of the storm.
Other residents reported cracked windows and shredded window screens on their houses.
"I've been through lots of hail storms," said Svitak, "but I never ever had windows broken out of a vehicle."
Gary Stuchlik, who lives one-half mile north of Pilsen, reported golfball-size hail that damaged the siding of his house, cracked a window on a farm truck, and sheared limbs and leaves from trees. Stuchlik also noted the storm knocked down a wheat field, breaking off the wheat two inches from the ground.
Various amounts of rain were reported around the county from a few sprinkles to nearly 1.5 inches.
A weather forecast included more chances of rain and the possibility of strong storms during the week.
