SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — A destructive storm system brought up to 100 mph wind gusts to the Upper Midwest on Thursday, slamming the Dakotas, Minnesota and Nebraska, along with parts of Iowa, Kansas and Wisconsin, according to The Washington Post. National Weather Service forecasters are trying to determine whether the system was a derecho, which the agency defines as “a very long-lived and damaging thunderstorm” with wind gusts over 58 mph and a damage swath of at least 240 miles.
Looks like we've met the definition of a derecho again.
— NWS Omaha (@NWSOmaha) May 13, 2022
For those of you unfortunate enough to have received storm damage, please let us know. pic.twitter.com/zA774AI5oE
Forecasters, news outlets and other witnesses flocked to social media to share photos and videos of the storm. Here are some of those posts:
1. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Video by @NWSSiouxFalls, Twitter
63 mph wind gust here at the office shortly after 4 pm, but many reports of 80+ mph across the region with significant structural damage and trees down!! Please let us know what happened in your area. pic.twitter.com/WlkOg1L2ED
— NWS Sioux Falls (@NWSSiouxFalls) May 13, 2022
2. Nebraska
Video by @coachgabel23, Twitter; retweeted by @NWSHastings
@NWSHastings I now know what it was like in the 30’s! Haboob rolling right through! pic.twitter.com/eaUtoBsXm9
— Grant Gabel (@coachgabel23) May 12, 2022
3. Chanhassen, Minnesota
Photo by @NWSTwinCities, Twitter
Photos taken at office 10 minutes apart.
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) May 13, 2022
The gust front ahead of these storms is coming in quick with heavy rain soon to follow. The largest threats are damaging winds and heavy rain.#MNwx #WIwx pic.twitter.com/JSPZ70EIB9
4. Western Minnesota
Photo by @JonMarkuson, Twitter; retweeted by @NWSTwinCities
Heads up! High winds from the thunderstorms moving through western Minnesota are kicking up dust. Be prepared for greatly reduced visibility along with the high winds as the storms move through. #mnwx https://t.co/D4pi9OKiT6
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) May 12, 2022
5. South Dakota
Photo by @argusleader, Instagram
6. Columbus, Nebraska
Photo by @Instantrain, Twitter; retweeted by @NWSOmaha
Columbus …. @RustyLord pic.twitter.com/Z4krmt8Uuj
— Brach Johnson (@Instantrain) May 12, 2022
7. Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Photo by @EEWoodiel, Twitter
Lightning obscured by a storm cloud. This sight was my cue to get the heck home. pic.twitter.com/SbqaL4YwuU
— Erin Woodiel (@EEWoodiel) May 13, 2022
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