>From Member Steve Marks: On Sunday, May 31, Roger Edwards (SPC) and I assisted the NWS damage survey team as they assessed the tornado damage in and around Spencer, South Dakota. To the west of Spencer, three homes were destroyed. There was no substantial damage to the east. The town itself was basically destroyed. The damage path was approximately 10 miles long and the tornado's width was about 1/2 mile wide. This tornado traveled at approximately 35 MPH toward the east then southeast. The initial damage rating is an F3. Extreme damage occurred in the town of Spencer (pop 300) around 8:45 PM CDT Saturday evening, injuring at least 150 (50 seriously) with 6 fatalities so far. All of the homes in Spencer sustained some form of damage. Most of the homes were heavily damaged, many were completely destroyed (ie nothing at all left standing). The business district within Spencer was destroyed as was the volunteer fire department. Only the three shattered and badly damaged fire truckes remained to mark the spot where the fire department once stood. I was allowed to climb the 75 foot ladder truck from Sioux Falls Fire Department for an aerial view. It is beyond my ability to describe the destruction I witnessed. I can only hope that I should not have to see such damage again. I have included two digital pictures, but they can not really convey the entirety of this tragedy. [Pictures uploaded to: http://www.weatherwatchers.org/temp/spencer] Roger and I are enroute back to Norman, OK for some much needed rest... Steve --