Storms Cause Crop Damage Across Indiana

crop damage

storm 3A strong storm front moved across Northern Illinois and Indiana Wednesday evening spawning high winds, hail, and several tornadoes.  Mike Silver with Kokomo Grain told HAT crop damage in Howard, Tipton, Miami, Grant and Wabash counties was significant, “We recorded 3.5 inches of rain at our elevator here in Kokomo.” He added 2.5 to 4 inches were reported across North Central Indiana.  Hail  as large as golf balls was also reported in many areas, and Silver reported that by mid-day on Thursday they had received several hail damage claims.

 

Strong, straight-line winds also caused widespread crop damage. Silver reported that, in many fields, the corn and soybeans had been laid flat, “I saw some pretty good sized wheat fields damaged between Lafayette and Kokomo.”

 

To the west, heavy rains caused flooding in parts of Carroll and White Counties. Jim Riley in Brookston said ponding was common in many fields by Thursday morning, “Field ponding is as bad as I have ever seen it; and, on some of the farms in the area, the farmers had just finished replanting areas that were flooded out from the heavy rains in May.”  Riley also said there is a lot of corn in his area that is at a 45 degree angle.

 

Crop damage was reported in other Corn Belt states as far west as Iowa and as farm north as Minnesota. Many farmers are reporting they may not replant destroyed crops, but rather opt for the prevented plantings option in their crop insurance policy. The National Weather Service officials say multiple tornadoes touched down in Northern Iowa. They say spotters reported at least two tornadoes on the ground alongside one another near Hampton in Franklin County. Another tornado was reported near Belmond in nearby Wright County.  A storm dumped heavy rain to parts of Southern Minnesota Wednesday morning, including nearly 3.25 inches at Hutchinson Airfield, 3.3 inches in Arlington, 2.83 inches in Carver, and 2.28 inches near Green Isle. Madison, in far western Minnesota, recorded a wind gust of 65 mph.

 

Dry conditions and cooler temperatures are forecast for early in the weekend. The chance of rain returns with the beginning of the new week. According to HAT meteorologist Rob Wasson, “A warm front will approach the area on Saturday afternoon, allowing temperatures to rise in to the upper 70s north, mid 80s south. This will provide chances for afternoon thunderstorms. More thunderstorms will be possible on Sunday as an upper level weather disturbance arrives in the area. Highs on Sunday will be 80 to 85. We will start the week with a 50/50 chance for rainfall statewide.”

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