Tornadoes touch down in southern Black Hills

Citizens in and around Sundance received an alert on May 23 that a tornado watch would be in effect for the majority of the afternoon and early evening. Fortunately, no tornadoes have been reported during that timeframe within Crook County.

Over the border in South Dakota, on the other hand, the spring storm system that brought rain showers and thunder to this county led to a total of four tornadoes.

The first two tornadoes appeared in the Custer area, according to the National Weather Services, as well as damaging, straight-line winds and half dollar-sized hail. The storms then moved east, continuing to produce damaging winds near the Missouri River.

The first tornado was reported to have travelled 6.5 miles, while the second traveled 5.4 miles and snapped several trees.

Meanwhile, supercells developed across the western South Dakota plains in the early afternoon, one of which spawned two tornadoes.

Black Hills National Forest officials have asked the public to refrain from cutting firewood within the impacted areas. The Forest Service is assessing and evaluating the area for timber salvage operations and crews have been working to clear Forest roads and trails that were impacted.