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Windstorm Takes Its Toll on Trees in Townsend
Author: mt43news staff reporter

MT43 News Staff Reporter

A microburst hit Townsend around 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, causing downed trees and loss of chicken coops and greenhouses.

According to KXLF television, the storm was caused by a cold-air cloud pushing downward, causing winds as high as 72 miles per hour. The storm kicked up clouds of dust through the south end of Townsend. Power outages left 400 Townsend residents without electricity, many of whom did not have power until 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

According to Sheriff Mark Wood, there were no reported injuries. Rural Fire Department Chief Ed Shindoll said large trees fell at Jack Farm Road and South Harrison, one near McCarthy Park, and one in the alley between South Pine and South Spruce. Fire Department volunteers had most of the downed trees cut up and removed that evening.

“It sounded like a terrible car crash right outside my window,” homeowner Debi Randolph said when a 40-foot spruce tree from a next-door neighbor’s house on Spruce Street fell into Randolph’s yard. Fortunately, the tree did not hit her house or her trees.

A new greenhouse on North Front Street was also completely demolished.

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Image 1 Caption: A large Spruce tree collapsed into neighbor's yard on Spruce Street May 26. MT43 News Photo