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SALEM, S.D. — Powerful storms struck much of eastern South Dakota on Thursday afternoon and evening, featuring tornado warnings and winds of over 100 mph in addition to periodically heavy rains and large hail.
Wind gusts peaked as high as 107 mph at a Mesonet weather station near Tripp, while the nearby town of Scotland saw gusts as high as 88 mph.
The community's nursing home in the southeast corner of the city had to be evacuated due to storm damage, with residents moved to the town's armory for the short term.
Have significant damage to report? Send us pictures and your location to dailynews@mitchellrepublic.com or tag us on Twitter @dailyrepublic.
In Tyndall, winds were estimated at 90 to 100 mph, according to a report to the National Weather Service Sioux Falls office, with tree and structural damage reported, including a Bon Homme County shop building destroyed.
Other notable gusts included 96 mph near Wentworth and 90 mph near Madison shortly after 5 p.m. Near Alexandria, a wind gust of 81 mph was reported shortly before 5 p.m., and 75 mph gusts at Lane.
A tornado warning was issued Thursday afternoon for eastern Hanson and Miner counties and western McCook and Lake counties.
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The Mitchell Republic dispatched reporters and photographers to area towns to survey the damage. Galleries for area towns will be updated as more photos become available.
Salem reportedly struck by tornado
1/A lightning bolt cuts through a storm cloud over Salem on Thursday, May 12, 2022, hours after the area was under a tornado warning.
2/The Davison County Sheriff's Office assisted in directing traffic around a semi that overturned from high winds in Salem on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
3/A second thunderstorm lurks in the skies as crews from Excel Energy work to repair an electrical system in Salem that was damaged as the area was under a tornado warning on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
4/A grain bin approximately five miles west of Salem was heavily damaged during a severe thunderstorm on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
5/A grain bin approximately five miles west of Salem was heavily damaged during a severe thunderstorm on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
6/Two trees appeared to have been dragged to the side of a road roughly five miles west of Salem after a severe thunderstorm on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
7/A garage was nearly flattened during a severe thunderstorm approximately three miles west of Salem on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
8/A home was stripped of its roof and siding during a severe thunderstorm approximately three miles west of Salem on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
9/The roof of a garage in Salem barely hangs on after a tornado warning was issued for the area on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
10/Doors on all eight stalls of this Salem garage were blown in during a tornado warning on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
11/A tree was entirely uprooted and came to rest on the walkway up to this Salem home during a tornado warning on May 12, 2022.
12/Locals in Salem advised that the local nursing home was hit the hardest during a tornado warning on May 12, 2022. Officials say the nursing home was evacuated when the storm passed.
13/Locals in Salem advised that the local nursing home was hit the hardest during a tornado warning on May 12, 2022. Officials say the nursing home was evacuated when the storm passed.
14/Vehicles in Salem drive around cones and over a downed power line after a tornado warning was issued for the area on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
15/A camper was flipped upside down and came to rest in the driveway of this Salem home after a tornado warning on May 12, 2022.
16/Debris littered the property lines between two Salem homes after a tornado warning was issued for the area on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
17/An uprooted tree and downed power line had closed Essex Street in Salem after a tornado warning on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
Grain bins destroyed, trees on homes in Tripp
1/A tree fell on Rodney and Steph Hrdlicka's house in Tripp during a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
2/A silo outside of Tripp had its roof torn off from high winds from a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
3/Debris lies near the Tripp welcome sign from high winds during a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
4/Farming equipment near Tripp flipped from high winds during a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
5/Trees were uprooted in Tripp during a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
6/Trees were uprooted in Tripp during a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
7/A tree stump was shredded in Tripp from high winds during a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
8/Tripp residents cleans up the debris of fallen trees from high winds during a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
9/A front loader cleans up debris from a fallen tree in Tripp after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
10/Trees were uprooted in Tripp after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
11/Trees were uprooted in Tripp after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
12/Trees were uprooted in Tripp after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
13/A front loader dumps fallen tree debris in Tripp from a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
14/Trees were uprooted in Tripp after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
15/Trees were uprooted in Tripp after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
16/A tree fell on Rodney and Steph Hrdlicka's house in Tripp during a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
17/Trees were uprooted in Tripp after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
18/A pickup full of dogs drove around Tripp as residents cleaned up from the aftermath of a severe thunderstorm on May 12, 2022.
19/A grain bin was mangled in Tripp after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
20/The grain elevator in Tripp suffered extensive damage from high winds during a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
21/Trees were uprooted in Tripp after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
22/Shingles were ripped off of the roof of a Tripp house after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
23/A single grain bin was destroyed north of Tripp South Dakota from high winds during a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
Strong winds uproot trees in Freeman
1/Freeman suffered significant damage in the form large trees blown down and some structural damage after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2022.
2/A large tree near the corner of Railway Street and Poplar Street in Freeman was one of many that were taken down by high winds Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2022.
3/Trees were down throughout the community of Freeman Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2022, following a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area.
4/High winds forced trees down and caused structural damage Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2022, in Freeman.
5/Large trees were felled throughout Freeman Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2022, following a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area.
6/Fallen trees blocked streets Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2022 in Freeman after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area.
7/High winds uprooted a tree near the Salem Mennonite Home in Freeman Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2022, bringing up a portion of the sidewalk with it.
8/A car narrowly avoided damage after high winds knocked a branch down Thursday, May 12, 2022 in Freeman.
9/Freeman resident Gary Walz talks with Blaine Saarie after high winds uprooted a large tree that fell right across Walz's driveway Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2022.
10/A metal door got stuck up a tree after high winds ripped it off its shed Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2022 in Freeman.
11/Crews with NorthWestern Energy work to repair power lines in Freeman Thursday, May 12, 2022 after they were brought down by high winds and falling branches brought on by a severe thunderstorm moving through the area.
12/Crews with NorthWestern worked to restore power to Freeman Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2022 following a severe thunderstorm.
13/A mangled street sign marks the spot where a tree crashed to the ground in Freeman Thursday afternoon, May 12, 2022 following high winds brought about by a severe thunderstorm.
Structures blown out, trees strewn in Bridgewater
1/High winds caved in the side of a building along Highway 42 in Bridgewater Thursday, May 12, 2022.
2/High winds from a severe thunderstorm uprooted trees in a Bridgewater cemetery on Thursday, May 12, 2022, leaving them to rest atop headstones.
3/Fallen trees blocked streets in Bridgewater Thursday, May 12, 2022 after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area.
4/Large trees were felled throughout the community of Bridgewater Thursday, May 12, 2022 after a severe thunderstorm brough high winds to the community.
5/A pair of trees fell in a backyard in Bridgewater Thursday, May 12, 2022, with one landing on top of a propane tank. High winds brought on by a severe thunderstorm caused damage around much of southeast South Dakota.
6/Part of a building was blown about a block from its point of origin in Bridgewater Thursday, May 12, 2022 after a severe thunderstorm moved through the area.
7/Damage could be seen in and around Bridgewater Thursday, May 12, 2022 after a severe thunderstorm struck the area.
8/Flying metal twisted around a speed limit sign in Bridgewater Thursday, May 12, 2022 when high winds from a thunderstorm struck the community.
9/Fallen trees could be seen around Bridgewater Thursday, May 12, 2022 after a severe thunderstorm.
10/A large tree fell in a backyard in Bridgewater Thursday, May 12, 2022 after a severe thunderstorm brought high winds to the community.
Power outages in Mitchell, damage to structures in Alexandria, Parkston
1/A Mitchell police officer directs traffic at west Havens Avenue and south Ohlman Street during a power outage after a severe thunderstorm hit Mitchell on May 12, 2022.
2/The M&H gas station was without power after a severe thunderstorm hits Mitchell on May 12, 2022.
3/Gas prices were not displayed at M&H due to a power outage after a severe thunderstorm hit Mitchell on May 12, 2022.
4/A sign was twisted up north of Alexandria due to high winds from a severe thunderstorm that ran through southeastern South Dakota on May 12, 2022.
5/A shed had part of its roof and front door ripped off southwest of Alexandria from a severe winds from a thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
6/A shed southeast of Parkston was completely destroyed from high winds from a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
7/A shed at the Schnabel residence southeast of Parkston was completely destroyed from high winds from a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
8/A shed at the Schnabel residence southeast of Parkston was completely destroyed from high winds from a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
9/Three grain bins near Parkston suffered heavy damage from high winds from a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area on May 12, 2022.
Friday's aftermath in Salem
1/The patio of Avantara nursing home in Salem covered in debris after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
2/The patio of Avantara nursing home in Salem covered in debris after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
3/Debris covers the floor of the Avantara nursing home in Salem after the roof was ripped of from a deadly derecho that struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
4/Debris covers the floor of the Avantara nursing home in Salem after the roof was ripped of from a deadly derecho that struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
5/The patio of Avantara nursing home in Salem covered in debris after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
6/A worker cuts fallen tree branches in Salem after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
7/Debris covers the floor of the Avantara nursing home in Salem after the roof was ripped of from a deadly derecho that struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
8/An American flag stands outside the Avantara nursing home in Salem after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
9/Debris covers the floor of the Avantara nursing home in Salem after the roof was ripped of from a deadly derecho that struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
10/A vehicle in Salem with its back window broken after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
11/A bus in Salem with all of its window broken after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
12/A pair of RVs in Salem flipped after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
13/A camper rests on its side in Salem after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
14/A camper lays on it's roof in front of Salem residences home after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
15/A resident's garage in Salem that was completely destroyed after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
16/A resident's garage in Salem that was completely destroyed after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
17/A trampoline rests mangled in a Salem tree after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
18/A Salem resident uses a sludge hammer to break down debris after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
19/A smashed passenger window of a Salem vehicle after deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
20/A Salem truck with debris lodged into it after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
21/Roof of the Avantara nursing home in Salem litters the yard after being torn off after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
22/Roof of the Avantara nursing home in Salem litters the yard after being torn off after a deadly derecho struck eastern South Dakota on Thursday, May 12, 2022.
23/These hogs used to be contained in a structure until Thursday's derecho ripped the hog barn in half at the Krouse farm west of Montrose on May 13, 2022.
24/Feeder bin that was blown over from high winds from Thurday's derecho at the Krouse farm west of Montrose on May 13, 2022.
25/A collapsed hog barn that was torn in half from high winds during Thursday's derecho at the Krouse farm west of Montrose on May 13, 2022.
26/Farming equipment that was blown over during Thursday's derecho at the Krouse farm west of Montrose on May 13, 2022.
27/A shed that has been torn apart from high winds during Thursday's derecho at the Krouse farm west of Montrose on May 13, 2022.
28/A shed and debris that litters the yard of the Krouse farm west of Montrose during Thursday's derecho on May 13, 2022.
29/Debris litters the Krouse west of Montrose farm from the hog barn that was torn in half during Thursday's derecho on May 13, 2022.
30/Pieces of debris tangled up in trees from Thursday's derecho at the Krouse farm west of Montrose on May 13, 2022.
31/Debris tangled in a tree line at the Krouse farm west of Montrose after Thursday's derecho on May 13, 2022.
32/A playground at the Krouse farm west of Montrose covered with debris from Thursday's derecho on May 13, 2022.
33/A brick shed at the Krouse farm west of Montrose that completely collapsed from high winds during Thursday's derecho on May 13, 2022.
34/A brick shed at the Krouse farm west of Montrose that completely collapsed from high winds during Thursday's derecho on May 13, 2022.
35/A shed at the Krouse farm west of Montrose with a massive hole caused by high winds from Thursday's derecho on May 13, 2022.
Gov. Kristi Noem said she is headed to her hometown to survey damage
