Powerful Tornado Near Watertown, South Dakota, Brings Large Hail and Structural Damage

Severe Weather Reported Near Watertown

A powerful tornado struck near the town of Watertown, South Dakota, on Sunday, according to reports. The storm drew attention as it moved through the area and was captured on video by storm chasers who documented the twister up close. The footage shows the intensity of the storm system and provides a close look at the tornado as it developed and traveled.

In addition to the tornado, reports indicated that the storm dropped hail described as being the size of baseballs. Large hail of this kind is often associated with strong thunderstorms and can contribute to damage during severe weather events. In this case, the storm’s impacts were not limited to the tornado itself, as hail was also reported in the area.

Videos Capture the Tornado Up Close

Storm chasers documented the tornado as it moved near Watertown, offering a perspective that many residents and viewers do not typically see. The videos show the tornado’s presence and strength from relatively close range. Such documentation can help illustrate the seriousness of severe weather and the conditions that can accompany a powerful storm.

While videos can provide valuable visual context, they also underscore how quickly conditions can change during severe weather. A tornado can shift direction, intensify, or weaken over short distances and timeframes. The recordings from the area highlight the storm’s strength and the importance of monitoring severe weather developments as they unfold.

Damage Reported Along the Tornado’s Path

According to the reports associated with the storm, the tornado left damage to structures in its path. Structural damage can vary widely depending on the tornado’s strength, the construction of buildings, and the specific location of the storm’s track. In this event, the reports emphasized that the tornado’s impacts were significant enough to leave visible damage behind.

When a tornado moves through an area, damage can occur not only from the rotating winds but also from airborne debris. Even when the most intense winds are confined to a narrow corridor, the surrounding storm environment can still be hazardous, particularly when paired with large hail. The combination of a powerful tornado and baseball-sized hail suggests a severe storm capable of producing multiple types of damaging weather.

Baseball-Sized Hail Adds to the Threat

Reports that the storm dropped hail the size of baseballs point to an additional hazard that can occur alongside tornado-producing thunderstorms. Large hail can damage roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles, and it can create dangerous conditions for anyone outdoors. In a storm scenario like this one, hail may fall before, during, or after a tornado, depending on the structure and movement of the thunderstorm.

The mention of baseball-sized hail indicates the storm’s intensity and reinforces that tornado events are often part of broader severe weather outbreaks. Even in situations where a tornado’s path is limited, hail can affect a wider area, potentially extending the storm’s impact beyond the immediate tornado track.

Key Points From the Reported Event

• A powerful tornado struck near Watertown, South Dakota, on Sunday.

• Reports said the storm dropped hail the size of baseballs.

• Storm chasers documented the twister up close on video.

• The tornado reportedly left damage to structures in its path.

Why Visual Documentation Matters During Severe Weather

Close-up videos of tornadoes can help communicate the scale and seriousness of severe storms. For many people, tornado warnings and storm reports can feel abstract until they see the event’s intensity. Footage captured by storm chasers can provide a clearer sense of the conditions that accompany a powerful tornado, including the surrounding storm structure and visibility challenges.

At the same time, such videos can remind viewers that severe weather can be unpredictable. Tornadoes are fast-evolving events, and the same storm that produces a dramatic funnel can also generate other hazards like large hail. In the case near Watertown, the reported combination of a powerful tornado and baseball-sized hail illustrates how a single storm can bring multiple threats.

Ongoing Attention to Storm Impacts

With reports of structural damage along the tornado’s path, the event near Watertown stands as a reminder of the potential consequences of severe weather. Tornadoes can affect communities quickly, and their impacts may extend from direct wind damage to secondary effects associated with hail and storm debris.

The videos captured near Watertown provide a record of the storm’s strength and the conditions present as the tornado moved through the area. As with many severe weather events, the combination of reported large hail and structural damage underscores the importance of taking tornado and severe thunderstorm reports seriously when they occur.