Storms spawned two tornadoes in southwest North Dakota and as many as five in southeast South Dakota.
National Weather Service meteorologists say there were no immediate reports of damage from the South Dakota twisters Wednesday night, but one tornado in North Dakota's Stark County damaged buildings on a farmstead.
Perry Emch says he was in a tractor in a field when the tornado touched down on his farmstead, and he watched the debris fly. Six structures, including three barns, were leveled.
Connie Fulton, Emch's sister, says her father Frank Emch also lives on the property and was in his vehicle at the time. Fulton says the pickup was lifted off the ground and three windows were shattered.
No one was hurt, but Emch says several lambs and chickens were killed. He says one of his dogs was blown 300 yards and was taken to the veterinarian.
The storms also spawned hail. Weather Service meteorologist Richard Ryrholm in Sioux Falls, S.D., says hail two inches in diameter damaged car windows in Artesian. There also were reports of downed power lines near Colome.
In Spencer, Mayor Donna Ruden says the town had nickel-size hail and winds that knocked down tree branches. Spencer was devastated by a tornado in May 1998, and Ruden says it was a good feeling to come out of her basement Wednesday night and see the town ``still in one piece.''
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
