May 9, 2011 Tornadoes near Philip and Wall, SD

A tornado caused minor damage to a ranch north of Philip during the evening of Monday, May 9.  Plywood and metal roofing was torn off the house. A metal shed had a collapsed wall and some roof panels torn off.  A large grain bin was dented by flying debris.  Based on the extent of this damage, winds were estimated at 80 to 100 mph, giving the tornado an EF-1 rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.  About the same time, a tornado was observed just west of SD Highway 73 eight miles north of Philip.  The path length was estimated at 1.75 miles with a width approximately 30 yards.  No other damage was noted in this area.

Additional tornado damage was observed northeast of Wall, where a large electrical transmission tower was crumpled and some trees snapped.  Winds were estimated at 115 to 130 mph, which classifies this tornado as an EF-2.

Metal shed damaged by tornado north of Philip
Metal shed damaged by tornado north of Philip

Transmission tower northeast of Wall
Transmission tower northeast of Wall

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