80 Mph Winds Wreak Havoc In Western South Dakota
RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Western South Dakota is recovering from winds that overturned semitrailers, downed power lines, fed fires and even left a trampoline hanging from a power pole in Box Elder.
The National Weather Service reports that the highest recorded gust in the area Thursday was 81 mph in Rapid City. Gusts of more than 70 mph were reported throughout western South Dakota, making it the windiest day of the year.
The Rapid City Journal reports that Custer State Park's Needles Highway was closed because of falling trees. Rapid City Fire Department spokesman Brent Long tells the newspaper that tree limbs felled power lines, which in turn sparked some fires. The largest fire was about 100 acres.
The weather service reports Friday that winds have returned to the 10 mph range.
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